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Asus PadFone review

7/10 AVG.
RATING
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Asus PadFone
Asus PadFone
Asus PadFone
Asus PadFone
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7/10
Informr score
The Asus PadFone currently has an Informr score of 7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 3 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

A smartphone that transforms into a tablet that transforms into a laptop. That’s probably the best way to describe the Asus PadFone. It’s a handheld device like no other, at least at the moment, and it’s one of the few Android-based products available on the market that you could say is really fueled by innovation. So is it as interesting in real life as it is on paper?

As a smartphone, the PadFone is a high-end contender. Its main features include a 4.3-inch qHD screen, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, up to 64GB of storage, and 1GB of onboard RAM. Its battery, which has a capacity of 1,520mAh, can provide up to 8 hours of 3G talk time per charge. It also has Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, Wi-Fi n, USB connectivity and support for HSDPA data. And all of these fit nicely inside a case that has a mere 9mm thick profile.

Once you plug it into its proprietary tablet dock, it becomes a non-smartphone. It effectively transforms into a tablet, just like the popular Transformer tablets from Asus itself. What it gets from the tablet dock is more screen, more connectivity options, and more battery life.

It's interesting because it’s essentially three products in one. Is it worth buying? Maybe. Is it worth buying at such a price? That’s something you probably have to decide for yourself.

Need to Know: Asus PadFone

1. Easily transforms from smartphone mode to tablet mode to laptop mode in just a few seconds. (The Good)

2. High-end smartphone features like a large touchscreen display and plenty of internal storage. (The Good)

3. Older version of the Android software. (The Bad)

4. Quite expensive. (The Bad)


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.5 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.5 GHz
4.3"
Screen Size
Screen Size
4.3"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
1520 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Mobile88
Mobile88

It doesn't matter if you plan to use the PadFone as a phone, a tablet for playing game or doing work because it'll serve you well in all three areas.In terms of performance, the dual-core processor handled Android 4.0 smoothly without hitches. It is also great for watching movies and playing most ga...

- Chong Jinn Xiung, Mobile88
PhoneArena
PhoneArena

Despite what Asus achieved with the PadFone, this attempt alone is worth applause - it creates a category of its own.

- Victor H., PhoneArena
Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor

Thre Asus Padfone is a nice idea and one that in time could work, but right now there are just too many things that do not operatate smoothly enough for it to be considered a success. ASUS clearly hasn't found an efficient way to combine both smartphone and tablet modes seamlessly, a critical issue...

- Ross Catanzarit, Tech Advisor


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Asus PadFone user manual here.


Asus backs up the PadFone with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your PadFone has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Asus support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Asus's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
4.3"

The Asus PadFone's screen size is 4.3 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1.5 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 8260A Dual-core 1.5 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
8+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 8+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with VGA (640 x 480) resolution.

Storage
16/32/64 GB

Internal memory is 16/32/64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1520mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1520 mAh battery. Asus's performance ratings are 15.5 days standby time, 940 minutes, 156 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Asus PadFone Specs

Overview
Release Date June 11, 2012
Regions Available USA
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 8260A Dual-core 1.5 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32/64 GB
RAM 1 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 0.42 W/kg
Body: 0.75 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+ 21.1
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles No
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Panorama, White balance
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
VGA (640 x 480)+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Super AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 4.3 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1520 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 156 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 940 minutes
Standby Time Up to 15.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 12.8 x 6.5 x 0.9 cm (5 x 2.6 x 0.4 in)
Weight 129 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: No
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP
PC Synchronization: Yes
TV Out Info: HDMI
DLNA Support: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, AMR-WB, WMA Pro, WMA, WAV, OGG, AMR-NB
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Viewable document types: BMP, DOC, DOCX, GIF, JPG, PDF, PPT, PPTX, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Manual (PDF)
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