Asus: No new Zenfone or ROG Phone models in 2026
The manufacturer Asus will apparently not release any new smartphones this year. This applies to both the Zenfone and ROG Phone series.
Asus will not introduce a successor to the Zenfone 12 Ultra this year.
(Image: heise medien)
Asus is apparently hitting the pause button on its smartphones. The manufacturer told industry portal Digitimes that it will not release any new models this year. This includes both the Zenfone and ROG Phone series.
No new smartphones for 2026
Distributors in Taiwan have informed the Taiwanese industry publication Digitimes that they can no longer procure Asus smartphones through local representatives. They have also been informed that the smartphone division will only be operational until December 31, 2025, and no new products will be launched. This news suggests that Asus might be discontinuing its entire smartphone business.
When asked, Asus told Digitimes that it has "clearly communicated" to its telecommunications partners that smartphone operations will continue. The company added that maintenance, software updates, and warranty services for current devices are not affected. Asus also emphasized that the company will maintain "its current operating model" with customer services. However, the company stated that it currently has no plans to launch new smartphones in 2026. This means there will be neither a Zenfone 13 nor a ROG Phone 10 this year.
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This leaves the Zenfone 12 Ultra smartphone, introduced last year, and the ROG Phone 9, presented in 2024, as the manufacturer's latest models. With the 12 Ultra, Asus already achieved a certain reduction in development work. This is because, apart from the gaming aspects, last year's Zenfone is roughly based on the ROG 9 in terms of its large screen, processor, and other features. With the Zenfone 10, the manufacturer still offered a variant with more compact dimensions and a 5.9-inch display.
Rumors about Asus exiting the smartphone business circulated as early as 2023. At that time, the manufacturer denied this and eventually delivered further devices. Asus does not provide a specific reason for the pause announced this year, but the manufacturer cannot boast of being successful in the highly competitive smartphone market. Whether Asus will present new models of the Zenfone and ROG Phone series in 2027 after this year's break, or announce a final discontinuation, remains to be seen.
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