The Dell Mini 5 tablet looks like an oversized smartphone, and kind of acts like one too. It has a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (which is the same CPU powering the Google Nexus One phone), and runs the Google Android operating system. But it’s 4.8 inch display is larger than any screen you’ll find on a cellphone anytime soon, making the Mini 5 much more attractive for surfing the web, watching video, or playing games. You can also make phone calls and surf the web over 3G or WiFi.

Final details on pricing, regional availability, wireless broadband partners, and a launch date aren’t available yet. But Dell is showing off the Mini 5 tablet at Mobile World Congress in Spain this week, and letting a few details drop. Right now, for instance, the demo unit is running Android 1.6, but it’s likely that by the time it’s available to the public the tablet will sport a newer version of the OS, possibly 2.0, 2.1, or something even newer. Adobe Flash support is also on its way.

The user interface seems very snappy and the Mini 5 can run all Android Market applications as well as some custom Dell software. As far as hardware, you’ve got a capacitive multitouch display, haptic feedback, and a 5MP webcam with

The folks at SlashGear got to spend some hands-on time with the tablet, and you can check out their video after the break.

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15 replies on “Dell Mini 5 Android tablet shows off in Spain”

  1. If this comes out, HTC will have a hard time selling their phones. I am definitely getting one as my mobile phone. It is not really that big compared to say, the Samsung Omnia II.

  2. If this comes out, HTC will have a hard time selling their phones. I am definitely getting one as my mobile phone. It is not really that big compared to say, the Samsung Omnia II.

    1. I like this little thing but it seems like what ppl are saying.. its just a big phone.. mabye if it has more features that a phone cant have then Id get it… why would I get sumthing that is a big phone when one thats a little bit smaller can do just the same thing… its prolly gunna fail just like other android tablets

  3. With movies being on SD cards and being able to watch televsion shows and movies online, it would be an appealling entertainment device for on the go.

    If it is priced low enough, it should do well. It looks really nice. With Android apps running on it, it should appeal to a bigger group.
    Perhaps it is a ‘smarttablet’? It might fall under the category of UMPC or MID.

  4. I think this device is more practical than Apple’s new iBad. It’s portable, makes calls and should be great for using the internet on the move plus Adobe Flash 10.1 due to make an appearance on it which we know won’t happen on the iBad.

    My money is on the Dell Mini 5 to be most popular tablet this year.Tablet PC games

    1. I doubt it. It’s just a big cell phone. Look for some of the Tegra 2 tablets coming out at the same show. Also think about it, if you pair a bluetooth microphone to ANY of these tablets and use Google Voice or Skype you can make phone calls on them. If you can’t out of the box someone will hack it. Even on the iPad. It’s too useful, and it’s a clever way of getting rid of one more device that you have to carry around, and it’s accompanying recurring monthly expense.

  5. Can you actually watch videos on this thing? By that I mean DVD and Blu-ray rips with subtitles without the need of transcoding? If not, it just brings a bigger screen to the Android device list and nothing more.

    1. Ah, the average consumer. The things we have to do to pander to them so that we may leverage their larger numbers.

      1. I just read my comment and realized how ignorant I sounded by trying and failing to seem that I know something.

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