Asus has confirmed it will not release any new smartphones in 2026, a move that has sparked speculation that the company may be preparing to exit the Android smartphone market altogether.
Asus chairman Jonney Shih confirmed the development during an event in Taiwan on January 16. According to machine-translated remarks reported by Inside, Shih said the company would no longer introduce new mobile phone models going forward.
His comments align with an earlier DigiTimes report published earlier this month, which also stated that Asus would skip launching new smartphones in 2026.
Temporary pause or permanent exit?
While Shih suggested Asus may not be completely done with smartphones, he stopped short of confirming a return to Android devices in the future. The lack of clarity has intensified speculation that Asus could be stepping away from the Android ecosystem for good.
The remarks have added to concerns that Android may be losing another established hardware player.
Asus currently maintains two smartphone lines: the Zenfone flagship series and the ROG gaming phones. However, the company has not launched a new high-end device in nearly a year.
Although the ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 9 series remain listed on Asus’ website, all models appear to be out of stock in the United States. Zenfone models are absent altogether, following Asus’ decision not to sell the Zenfone 12 Ultra in the US market.
Support for existing users to continue
Shih said Asus would continue providing software updates and warranty services for existing smartphone users. This includes ongoing support for currently sold devices, despite the pause in new hardware development.
Impact on gaming phone market
Asus’ possible withdrawal leaves the niche gaming smartphone segment in a fragile position. Redmagic, a direct competitor in the gaming phone space, publicly welcomed rumors of Asus’ exit earlier this month.
The shift could reshape competition within the Android gaming phone category.
Focus shifts toward AI
During his speech, Shih suggested Asus may redirect its smartphone research and development teams toward artificial intelligence projects. These could include work on smart glasses, robotics, and other AI-driven hardware.
This signals a potential strategic pivot away from consumer smartphones.
Memory prices
Shih also addressed rising memory prices affecting the tech industry. He acknowledged that price increases remain possible but said Asus aims to counter them through improved design strategies and closer supply chain collaboration.
However, he did not directly rule out future product price hikes, mirroring a broader trend seen across rival tech brands.
