Asustek Computer expects its smartphone shipments to grow 25-35% sequentially in the second quarter of 2018, buoyed by strong sales of its newly released ZenFone 5 and ZenFone Max Pro, according to company CEO Jerry Shen.

The ZenFone 5, which features AI-based applications, was the best-selling model in the Taiwan market in the second half of April after its launch in the month, Shen indicated.

The ZenFone Max Pro was initially available in India, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian markets and has been well received in these markets, Shen added, noting that the model will be available in Taiwan in early June.

The supply of the ZenFone Max Pro is currently short of demand in India and Indonesia as demand for the model is much higher than expected, Shen said, adding that the shortage will be eased in the third quarter as Asustek has now secured sufficient amount of key components such as camera sensors to ramp up its output.

Shen also revealed that Asustek will unveil a high-end gaming smartphone in the upcoming Computex 2018 from June 5-9. The gaming handset will not be disturbed by incoming notifications or messages while being used to play games.

Asustek's smartphone shipments will be further accelerated in the latter half of the second quarter when the company begins to deliver its latest flagship model, the ZenFone 5Z, Shen added.

The company expects its smartphone business to swing back to profitability in the third quarter and remain lucrative in the fourth, Shen said.