In 2023, there were rumors that ASUS is done with the Zenfone series. The rumors were apparently exaggerated because the brand eventually issued an official statement to deny the shuttering of the Zenfone. Now, in 2026, we’re back to speculating on the smartphone’s future. This time, however, it’s coming from high up the chain of command.

In a translated version of an interview (via Taiwan’s Inside), ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih said that ASUS has no plans to add new smartphone models in the future. Based on previous rumors, the shutdown will affect 2026, at the very least.

Despite confirming that the brand’s phones are gone for now, Shih has not waved away the possibility that they might come back in the future. Right now, we don’t know if this is all just a “see you later” or a “we’re leaving for good.”

ASUS’s last major launch in the smartphone space was early last year. The Zenfone 12 Ultra was an interesting headset but didn’t make enough waves to make a dent in the industry. On the other hand, ROG released the ROG Phone 9 Pro, which made our list of the best premium smartphones from 2025.

With the almost-certain exit from the smartphone space, this leaves the Zenfone 12 Ultra and the ROG Phone 9 Pro without successors in the foreseeable future. However, Shih has promised that the current lineup will still receive updates going forward.

SEE ALSO: Spotlight: ASUS Zenbook at CES 2026

Aside from the already-released HONOR Magic8, Magic8 Pro, and Magic8 Lite, the all-new Magic8 Pro Air and PORSCHE DESIGN Magic8 RSR finally complete HONOR’s Magic8 series for 2026.

Magically Airy

Even though most major Chinese brands have backed out from announcing their iPhone Air rivals, HONOR simply doesn’t want to be left behind as they have unveiled the (very mouthful) Magic8 Pro Air. Coincidental or not, it’s announced the same day as Infinix’s NOTE Edge.

From the term itself, it is, by far, HONOR’s slimmest compact smartphone at just 6.1mm and weighs only 158 grams. While it doesn’t totally beat the 5.64mm iPhone Air and the 5.8mm Galaxy S25 Edge, anything below the 8mm mark is still considered “very slim” enough in today’s smartphone standards.

HONOR made this featherweight champion all thanks to its Cicada Wing phone structure paired with an Aerial Aluminum mid-frame. It’s not only light, it’s durable altogether.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The Magic8 Pro Air is also the polar opposite of HUAWEI’s Mate 70 Air. Compared to that ginormous 7-inch screen, the Magic8 Pro Air is a lot smaller with only a 6.31-inch OLED display. Meanwhile, iPhone Air is in the sweet spot at 6.5 inches while S25 Edge is at the conventional 6.7 incher.

That display isn’t lagging behind though with its 1.5K resolution, 6000 nits peak brightness, and HONOR’s revolutionary Eye-Care features with PWM Dimming for ultra-sensitive eyes.

Airy Yet Mighty

MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 is at the core of the Magic8 Pro Air. Coupled with a 12GB LPDDR5x RAM and either 256/512GB of UFS 4.1 storage, it’s a true definition of a compact flagship.

Cameras are for another story. The HONOR Magic8 Pro Air brings not just one, not two, but three cameras at its back — very surprising for a device this size. There’s a 50MP f/2.2 112-degree UWA (Ultra-Wide Angle) lens as well as 50MP f/1.6 main camera based on a 1/1.3-inch image sensor. The selfie shooter is not spared as well with its capable 50MP f/2.0 camera.

But, the star of the show has got to be its 64MP f/2.6 periscope telephoto lens with 3.2x optical zoom. This makes the first super slim smartphone to boast a dedicated zoom lens. ICYMI, the Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone Air lack a dedicated telephoto shooter and only relies through in-sensor cropping via their main sensors.

Furthermore, it is equipped with a 5500mAh battery which is more than enough for its “petite” form factor. It can then be filled fast with HONOR’s 80W SuperCharge and 50W wireless SuperCharge.

Unlike the iPhone Air, the Magic8 Pro Air has a dedicated SIM slot. eSIM support is there as well which is a huge rarity among Chinese smartphones.

Last but definitely not the least, the color shades of the Magic8 Pro Air are a mix of iPhone Air and 17 Pro’s colorways — including the Light Orange alonsgide Fairy Purple, as well as the Feather White and Shadow Black classics.

Sleek Peek

It would not be a complete flagship series without THE very special PORSCHE DESIGN Magic8 RSR model in the roster. As usual, it’s always the maxed out variant of the already full-fledged Magic8 Pro flagship.

While it rocks the same display, cameras, and even the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC by Qualcomm, configuration goes beyond the limits with a 1TB UFS 4.1 storage and a whopping 24GB LPDDR5X memory — the biggest flex a slab-phone could get this 2026 with the ever-soaring RAM prices.

Battery and charging speeds were somewhat improved: 7200mAh and 120W HyperCharge (over 7100mAh + 100W of the regular Pro model).

Colors were then heavily-inspired from shades of Porsche’s supercars: Moonlight Stone and Slate Gray.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Additionally, the Magic8 RSR will also have a Professional Camera Kit — a first time for any HONOR smartphone.

Pricing and Availability

The HONOR Magic8 Pro Air and PORSCHE DESIGN Magic8 RSR are available in various pricing and configurations:

Magic8 Pro Air

• 12+256GB = CNY 4999 (US$ 700 / EUR 610 / GBP 530 / SG$ 910 / MYR 2970 / PhP 40,900 / INR 62,260)
• 12+512GB = CNY 5299 (US$ 745 / EUR 645 / GBP 560 / SG$ 965 / MYR 3145 / PhP 43,360 / INR 65,995)
• 16+512GB = CNY 5599 (US$ 785 / EUR 670 / GBP 580 / SG$ 1010 / MYR 3300 / PhP 45,150 / INR 69,690)
• 16+1TB = CNY 5999 (US$ 845 / EUR 730 / GBP 635 / SG$ 1095 / MYR 3560 / PhP 49,085 / INR 74,715)

PORSCHE DESIGN Magic8 RSR

• 16+512GB = CNY 7999 (US$ 1115 / EUR 960 / GBP 820 / SG$ 1430 / PhP 63,685 / INR 95,930)
• 24+1TB = CNY 8999 (US$ 1260 / EUR 1070 / GBP 920 / SG$ 600 / PhP 70,905 / INR 107,700)

Global availability was not mentioned. Hopefully, HONOR will bring these (especially the Magic8 Pro Air) to international markets.

The Infinix NOTE Edge, which combines premium aesthetics and cutting-edge all-around capabilities, has officially launched.

Infinix’s latest phone sets new standards for design and user experience, featuring a 7.2mm body and a 3D curved screen. And in spite the ultra-slim design, the phone packs innovative features for an asking price starting at just US$ 200.

It debuts the MediaTek Dimensity 7100 5G platform and runs on XOS 16. It also houses a 6,500mAh battery with support for 45W charging and a self-repairing system.

Performance wise, the handset can sustain 90fps for popular titles. Connectivity is also boosted with 13 joint 5G optimizations with MediaTek.

When fully drained, the NOTE Edge’s battery activates a low-current repair process. This uses dynamic recrystallization to heal micro-cracks in low-power cycles.

In front, the phone sports a 1.5K display that is ergonomically shaped to sit naturally in the hand. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i and rated IP65 for water and dust resistance.

In addition, it has up to 4500 nits peak brightness and is complemented by a JBL-tuned dual stereo speaker system.

On the side is a customizable One-Tap Button that can activate the built-in FOLAX AI assistant.

On the outside, the Infinix NOTE Edge has a Pearl Light Ripple Shadow exterior. It is available on four colors: Lunar Titanium, Silk Green, Stellar Blue, and Shadow Black.

Particularly, the Silk Green variant introduces Infinix’s Polyurethane water-wave brushed texture process.

This makes up for a leather-like surface with silky smoothness that shimmers under sunlight.

Onto its cameras, the NOTE Edge comes with a 50MP main camera with a large 1/2 sensor. Infinix’s new Live Photo mode also lets users record 3-second dynamic clips with audio.