Price and specifications of Asus PadFone Infinity advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Introduction to Asus PadFone Infinity

The Asus PadFone Infinity is a unique and innovative device that was first announced in February 2013 and released in April of the same year. It is a hybrid design that combines a smartphone and a tablet, offering users the versatility of two devices in one. The device was part of Asus's attempt to bridge the gap between smartphones and tablets and provide a seamless user experience.

Design and Build Quality

The PadFone Infinity boasts a sleek design with dimensions of 143.5 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm and weighs just 141 grams. It features a unibody aluminum chassis that gives a premium feel to the device. The smartphone is designed to dock into a tablet station, which transforms the PadFone into a fully functional tablet. The docking is seamless and represents a brilliant design approach by Asus.

Display

The smartphone part of the device has a 5.0-inch Super IPS+ LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, offering a pixel density of around 441 pixels per inch. This results in vibrant colors and sharp visuals, making it great for viewing photos, videos, and reading text. The screen is also protected with Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance

The Asus PadFone Infinity is powered by Qualcomm's APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 chipset, featuring a Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait CPU and Adreno 320 GPU. It comes with 2GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and performance for most applications and games. The hardware allows the device to handle day-to-day tasks efficiently, although it may struggle with more demanding apps compared to modern devices.

Storage Options

When it comes to storage, the PadFone Infinity offers two variants: 32GB and 64GB of internal storage. Unfortunately, the device does not support expandable storage through microSD cards, which could be a limitation for users who require more space for apps and media files.

Camera Capabilities

The device features a 13 MP rear camera equipped with autofocus and LED flash, capable of shooting 1080p videos at 30fps. The rear camera offers decent quality photos with good lighting conditions but may falter in low-light environments. On the front, there's a 2 MP camera also capable of shooting 1080p videos, which is sufficient for selfies and video calls.

Battery Life

The PadFone Infinity houses a non-removable Li-Po 2400 mAh battery, which provides a reasonable battery life for a device from its time. On stand-by, the phone can last up to 410 hours, and during talk time, it can go for up to 19 hours. However, heavy users may need to charge the device daily, especially when utilizing the tablet functionality frequently.

Software and Operating System

Originally, the PadFone Infinity ran on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean but is upgradable to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Asus also included their ZenUI skin, which offers additional features and customizations over the stock Android experience. The user interface is intuitive and includes multiple pre-installed apps that optimize the experience of switching between phone and tablet mode.

Connectivity and Other Features

The PadFone Infinity supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring wide compatibility with global carriers. It offers Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, NFC, FM radio, and a microUSB 2.0 port with SlimPort TV-out for connectivity. It includes sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing its functionality.

Color Options and Pricing

The device was available in three colors: Titanium Gray, Champagne Gold, and Hot Pink, catering to a variety of aesthetic preferences. At launch, the PadFone Infinity was priced at about 1000 EUR, which reflected its premium positioning in the market as a hybrid device.

Conclusion

Despite being discontinued, the Asus PadFone Infinity remains an interesting concept in the evolution of mobile devices. It was ambitious in its attempt to merge smartphone and tablet functionalities into a single product, offering users the flexibility to switch between form factors with ease. While it may not compete with modern flagship devices in terms of raw power and features, it certainly occupies a unique space in the history of mobile technology and represents Asus's innovative approach to consumer electronics.