Asus PadFone Complete Guide to Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Introduction to Asus PadFone

The Asus PadFone was an innovative device that combined the functionality of a smartphone with the flexibility of a tablet. Announced in February 2012 and released in June of the same year, it aimed to offer users the convenience of a smartphone with the larger display of a tablet through a unique docking system. This concept was particularly novel at its time, as it allowed users to switch from phone to tablet by simply docking the phone into the tablet shell.

Design and Build

In terms of design, the Asus PadFone boasted modern aesthetics of the early 2010s era with its sleek, lightweight form. The dimensions of the phone are 128 x 65.4 x 9.2 mm, and it weighed just 129 grams, making it portable and comfortable to hold. The device came in a classic black color, maintaining a sophisticated and professional look. The tablet dock, when combined with the phone, offered a larger viewing area and housed its own battery, enhancing the device's usability for longer durations.

Display Features

The PadFone sported a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display, which was known for delivering vibrant colors and deep contrasts. With a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels at a 16:9 ratio, it had a pixel density of approximately 256 ppi, ensuring that images and text appeared clear and sharp. The phone's screen was protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, providing added durability against scratches and minor drops.

Hardware and Performance

Under the hood, the Asus PadFone was powered by the Qualcomm MSM8260A Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset. It featured a dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU paired with an Adreno 225 GPU. This combination was quite potent for the time, offering smooth performance for daily tasks and moderate gaming. The device came with 1 GB of RAM and offered various storage options: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, with the possibility of expanding via a dedicated microSDHC card slot.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera on the PadFone was an 8 MP autofocus sensor, equipped with an LED flash to assist in low-light conditions. It was capable of recording videos at 1080p at 30fps, which was quite impressive for smartphones during that period. On the front, the device had a VGA camera for selfies and video calls. While the front camera was not particularly advanced, it sufficed for basic needs.

Software and User Experience

The Asus PadFone originally ran on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and was upgradable to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). The interface was straightforward and user-friendly, as was typical of Android operating systems of the time. The presence of sensors like an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass enhanced the device's functionality. Additionally, the phone supported HTML5 and Adobe Flash in its browser, catering to a more comprehensive web browsing experience.

Connectivity Options

The PadFone featured various connectivity options including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, and GPS with A-GPS support. It offered HSPA speeds of up to 21.1 Mbps, ensuring fast data transfer rates for internet browsing and downloads. The device also included essential ports such as a 3.5mm headphone jack and microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1520 mAh battery, which offered a standby time of up to 360 hours on 2G and up to 370 hours on 3G. It provided a talk time of up to 15 hours and 40 minutes on 2G and up to 8 hours on 3G networks. When docked with the tablet, the battery life was significantly extended due to the additional battery in the tablet dock, making it suitable for more intensive use throughout the day.

Conclusion

The Asus PadFone was a unique entry in the world of mobile devices, offering a hybrid solution that bridged the gap between smartphones and tablets. While the concept was ahead of its time, providing users the flexibility to seamlessly switch between different form factors, it faced challenges in terms of market adoption. However, it paved the way for future innovations in device versatility. At an estimated price of around 300 EUR during its launch, the PadFone was accessible for its innovative offering, appealing primarily to tech enthusiasts and early adopters looking for something different in the mobile world.