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Posted 12 April 2013
ASUS FONEPAD 16GB 3G 7" Tablet £179.99 Pre-Order @ Amazon.co.uk
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GAVINLEWISHUKD
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The Asus fonepad is ideal for people who value both the voice communication features of a smartphone and the entertainment opportunities afforded by a tablet, but prefer the convenience of carrying just one device. fonepad is a sleek and compact tablet with a metallic design that can be held comfortably in one hand, thanks to a slim and light profile. Powered by the latest Intel Atom processor, and with full Android compatibility, fonepad features a perfect balance of performance and energy efficiency, with hardware-accelerated 1080p Full HD video decoding and up to 9 hours of battery life. The screen features 10-point multi-touch, and a crisp 1280 x 800 HD resolution for crisp, readable web page text and incredibly detailed photos. IPS technology ensures vibrant colour, and wide viewing angles ensure that you can read the screen in bright light, even outdoors.
Built-in 3G with HSPA+ mobile data means that the fonepad is an always-connected mobile device for seamless web browsing, fast downloads from Google Play Store, and smooth audio and video streaming. Thanks to full 3G telephony support, fonepad can also be used for voice calls using the built-in noise-cancelling digital microphone or Bluetooth headset (sold seperately). With just one mobile data plan to pay for, running costs are also much lower than those of a separate smartphone and 3G tablet.
Intel Medfield single core processor. But very powerful
- LOH1153
Built-in 3G with HSPA+ mobile data means that the fonepad is an always-connected mobile device for seamless web browsing, fast downloads from Google Play Store, and smooth audio and video streaming. Thanks to full 3G telephony support, fonepad can also be used for voice calls using the built-in noise-cancelling digital microphone or Bluetooth headset (sold seperately). With just one mobile data plan to pay for, running costs are also much lower than those of a separate smartphone and 3G tablet.
Intel Medfield single core processor. But very powerful
- LOH1153
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203 Comments
sorted byYes, this is not a gadget for everybody but what is?
* If you're like me who gets a maximum of 1 call a week then this is no problem
* If you can use earphones with built in mic then this is no problem
* If you can use a bluetooth headset this is no problem
* If you're mature enough to realise that some people value function over form then this is no problem
If you like picking and laughing at people because they use gadgets that look weird even if it's practical and does not bother them at all then YOU have a problem not them.
Congratulations Phil, you've just won the Viz award for the 500th HUKD'er to use innuendo comparing tablet screen size to male sexual performance. Congratulations, your trophy, which is a wopper with a large girth (snarf, snarf), is in the post. (_;)
He posted a photo with a sarcastic remark that has been pointed out many times in this thread.
He even changed the original photo he posted to stress the point.
I only posted my view on the matter, get over yourself.
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This is how people look like when they argue online. I'm the kid in blue because I like to back kick
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I dunno what would look worse!
As an owner of the original Asus TF101 Transformer tablet I can tell you that's far from the case.. When updates do eventually come along they're full of bugs that take an age to be fixed if at all. The ICS update was a total disaster that even Asus UK were ashamed of.
On the other hand a lot of them were sold which led to a healthy custom ROM community. My Transformer runs a nightly build of EOS 4 (Cyanogen derivative) which is JB4.2.2 no less and it's the most stable and best performing firmware it's ever had.
Peter
I think the video reviews and unboxing from the last 6 days are the final retail version of the Fonepad.
Click here to watch the unboxing of the European version (16gb without rear camera)
Click here to watch a review (not in English) that focuses on the interface speed, video playback, and 3d game performance of the Asian version (8Gb with rear camera)
Based on the 2nd video, the Fonepad is capable of playing 3d heavy graphics app like Subway surfers and Blood and Glory.
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Examined for what? Different people need different things. These devices exists because they have a market for them. Lots of people specially in Asia prefer/can only afford one device to use. It's not nice implying that people who will use this as a daily phone has something wrong in the head. oO
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What? Are you 2 a comedy double act?
ho yes BSOD would look good on that screen.......................not!
its already got the best touch screen OS on it, why bother, you hack things to make them better not worse.
Um I have had more crashes on my Nexus 7 and Samsung Galaxy S3 than Windows 7 and 8.......
The CPU (Intel Atom Z2420) is not bad - click here for benchmarks of a phone using the same CPU and GPU combination
It beats Xperia U, Galaxy Note, and others in benchmarks due to the x86 architecture (vs ARM) with hyper threading technology plus it's reported to be more power efficient as well. The graphics is similar to what Galaxy Nexus have, here's a video of what it's capable of. These specs paired with Jellybean smoothness will be more than enough for regular users.
The downside would be some apps not compatible but according to users of RAZRi which also uses Intel CPU these are very few and the x86 architecture is now being included in the development of apps. BBC iPlayer and Sky Go will work but you might have to use modified apps that are available from XDA. It has everything a regular user would want (sd slot, 3g, GPS, bluetooth, voice call, brand support) for £179. Since it's very cheap, I predict lots of developers supporting this as well. I hope they sell the 8Gb version here in the UK but it's only intended for the Asia pacific region. (WHY?!)
Now I have to sell my Galaxy Note to have an excuse of getting this. LOL
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[img]encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT963XLL01sBOB5h6wWryWSKrsvWz1LNFcgHLm7G8_0vSc6HFvxHA[/img]
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Are you gonna tell amazon or should I...
i have pre-ordered, i have been watching this device for months, watched plenty of videos showing real world performance and it looks good for the price
but what made me purchase this is pretty much what you said, compare this to a similar spec tablet, either features are missing or the price difference is huge, asus are doing something special here with the form factor and the price, i hope this sells well so other manufacturers follow
It is a tablet with a phone function so it is built like a tablet. I don't think there is a fully blown tablet that you can remove the battery by taking out the back cover.
Well I asked in my local Sainsburys (Arnold) and they had no idea what I was on about. After I had explained and she phoned somebody they said they weren't doing pre-orders but it would be available in stores (no date given).
So my guess is it will just be available in stores on the 26th. I would guess they will send 'X' amount to stores as an allocation. So getting one will probably be luck of the draw.
That's cool, I didn't know about that. Yeah, they did not continue that trend, maybe because the tablet became too thick compared to other tablets and a 1900mah battery also costs over £30 to replace.
That's a great review, my comments:
* The back is really metal, not just plastic painted with metallic finish
* The review says the Fonepad has better screen quality than the Nexus 7, you can even calibrate the screen if you like
* Chrome produces blurry text and images - using other browsers produces sharp text and images, probably software issue
* ASUS skin offers more features like floating apps, more drop down menu options, etc. than stock Android
* It may not have the latest version of Android but I prefer being a version behind (see my previous post)
* Performance - the benchmarks show low scores as they are not optimised for the Intel 64bit (not 32bit or ARM) architecture but on actual usage, the Fonepad did not show any problems playing heavy 3d graphic games such as Real Racing 3 with video playing and browser open on top
* Battery life - 3 hour video + 1.5 hours of browsing via 3g + 1 hour texts and other things = 40% left in battery. Really good results, I expect this to get better after several battery cycles
* Using it as a phone without a earphones with mic or bluetooth will get you stares in public but this will change as tablet phones gets more popular. Also, it is better than carrying a tablet and a phone if you use both of them when you travel. With a great battery life, it's easier to charge one device rather than 2 as it will have enough juice to power both functions.
* For £179, people who did not want a tablet might be persuaded to get this for the price alone as a decent branded smartphone with the same features will cost more than double. This will be a hit for parents with kids who wants an ipad and an iphone. It will probably be the most popular tablet/phone for students this year.
Just imagine, if people (specially students) started to get used to the large screen for browsing, playing games, watching videos, etc. they will probably start to hate browsing, playing games, watching videos, etc. on a smaller screen. This I think is ASUS' strategy for pricing this real cheap so younger people can access it. MUWAHAHAHA X)
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Custom ROMs are available for the Intel based Razr i and the ASUS nexus 7 so I don't see why not. Being cheap and from a known manufacturer, more people will likely to develop for this as developers can afford to get one and lots of people will be using it as well. Screen protector for the Nexus 7 will probably fit the Fonepad but needs a bit bigger hole for the earpiece.
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Archos is releasing cheap smartphones as well for those who don't like the Fonepad's size:
Archos 35 Carbon (£65): 3.5 inch screen (320 x 480), ICS, 1Ghz CPU, 512MB RAM, VGA camera, 1300mah battery,
Archos 50 Platinum (£144): 5 inch screen (960 x 540), Jellybean, 1.2 Quad core CPU, 1Gb RAM, 8MP camera w/ BSI sensor, 2000mah battery
Archos 53 Platinum (£164): 5.3 inch screen (960 x 540), Jellybean, 1.2 Quad core CPU, 1Gb RAM, 8MP camera w/ BSI sensor, 2800mah battery
All of them have stock Android, Dual SIM, 3G+/HSDPA, bluetooth, GPS, micro SD slot, and 4Gb ROM. For the price, it's great value.
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Don't forget to post photos and a review
Post pics
New reviews are out:
Expert reviews gives it a score of 5/5
India Times reviews the Asia Pacific version with the camera
Note that the benchmarks they use are made for ARM chips and not for Intel Atom chips so they are not 100% reliable.
It's better to watch the real life performance on videos like this one or this one.
I don't expect it to beat high end tablets in performance for the price but it will be great for normal users.
Yes I read the same review.
I received my Fonepad this morning and have stuck on a modified Nexus 7 protector. There is a proximity sensor and it works as expected ie when you make a phone call with the device near your head the screen goes blank and comes back on when you move it away.
The only reason is the size and everyday use consideration
In my head using a 7 inch device as a phone and tab made sense but practically speaking I would need to use it two handed all the time, use a bag or trousers with big enough pockets
I thought I could handle that but on day two I already have my doubts
I'm not trying to put anyone off, just sharing my experience
agreed
And if anyone is taking my comment as bashing this phone they have misunderstood my position
i still think its a great all in one device
Hot though for a 7" Tablet with 3G
Or use a Bluetooth headset.
Does have GPS. HERE
Thanks. Have read several reviews of this now. Looks pretty neat for the money. I did however read that games aren't necessarily compatible with Intel CPUs. Might check this out a bit more.
I think most things are compatible now. Much work has been done. Have a look on the compatibility of apps/games in the Orange SanDiego thread over at Modaco and XDA.
With the atom being x86 then why not?