The Asus FonePad is a 7 inch Android tablet that also functions as an unusually large smartphone. Introduced earlier this year, the FonePad is available in select markets — but an unannounced Asus FonePad HD 7 also appears to be on the way.
Details about the new model have been leaking for a few weeks, and now retail listings are starting to pop up. It looks like the new Asus FonePad HD 7 should be available soon for about $300, including taxes.
The retail listings seem to confirm the specs we’ve already heard, including:
- 7 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel display.
- 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z2560 dual-core processor
- PowerVR SGX 544MP2 graphics
- 1GB of RAM
- 8GB of storage
- 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi
- Bluetooth
The FonePad HD 7 will also likely support making phone calls and sending text messages over GSM networks.
It’s not clear if Asus has any plans to sell the FonePad in the US. Right now Asus phones are typically sold in Asia and parts of Europe. But the company has laid out plans to enter the US smartphone space in 2014.
via Notebook Italia
sounded great till “intel Atom”
It’s fine for a mid range Android tablet, the Z2560 uses a dual SGX544MP2 clocked at 400MHz… This compares pretty well considering the iPad uses a quad SGX544MP4 at 200MHz. While the dual core CPU at least outperforms a quad core Tegra 3… And battery life is also better than a Tegra 3…
It’s the single core Medfield ATOM with SGX540 based GMA that you should avoid but is available for the really low end tablet and phone offerings.
I recently acquired a fonepad. So far I absolutely love it. I’ve long desired a single device that can do all things: phone calls, internet, video, audio, READER etc…
The last one is the most important. I teach overseas, and commute back and forth and shlepping the books with me is a big and heavy hassle. Plus I need to read those books whenever I can. As I slowly accrue my elibrary, I can carry it with me where ever I go. When a moments pause comes up, I can jump into research and study mode. Because i am on my feet and use public transportation, I tend to have pants with really big pockets that were used carrying a large load -including multiple devices: cell phone and Ipod touch and a large wallet that was large enough to carry all my cards plus my passport. A single device, even at 7 inches, would be a reduced load for me.
I found readers on cell phones to be too small. I knew a 9 inch or larger phone with good pixel density would work, but was too larger to carry with me. This device has over 200 pixels per inch, and is just enough density to satisfy me, and the 7 inch size is just large enough to satisfy me – luckily.
So, so far, I love this device.
One other thing – the core function – phone: it has the best ear speaker I’ve ever had on a cell phone-ever. I’ve always had problems understanding what people say. Voices have never been clearer.
My device was originally tagged to sell in the U.S. at $250 – which is just about what I paid for it, and that’s very cheap for a smart phone, let a large screen one.
If you can handle the size then I highly recommend it. I no longer squint when reading a post or a book. Reading and surfing the internet is a pleasure.