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Asus Halts New Smartphone Launches in 2026, Vows Ongoing Support

Surging memory prices linked to AI demand push Asus to prioritize higher‑margin PC and gaming hardware.

Overview

  • Asus told DigiTimes it has no plans to introduce new smartphone models in 2026, affecting both Zenfone and ROG Phone lines.
  • The company said smartphone operations continue with maintenance, warranty coverage, and software updates for existing devices.
  • Taiwanese distributors reported they could no longer source Asus phones and suggested operations ended in 2025, a conclusion Asus disputed.
  • Industry coverage ties the pause to rising DRAM and NAND costs driven by AI infrastructure demand and to Asus’s stronger position in PCs and gaming.
  • Recent context includes the Thailand‑only ROG Phone 9 FE and the global Zenfone 12 Ultra launched in February 2025, plus Android 16 updates to recent models in November 2025.