AT&T Bets on Asus’ PadFone Smartphone-Tablet Hybrid

by Michelle Maisto

AT&T will exclusively sell the Asus PadFone, a two-in-one smartphone-plus-tablet device. The smartphone (and so the tablet) runs Android 4.4 (KitKat), has an 800 quad-core, 2.3GHz processor and a 5-inch Full HD display with a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels and 441 pixels per inch.

The smartphone measures 143.93 by 72.46 by 9.98mm. Very noticeably, it’s thick. (The Samsung Galaxy S5, with its 5.1-inch display, measures 142 by 72.5 by 8.1mm.) While the PadFone may offer a great user experience, a first impression is that it’s not a phone anyone will hurry to show off to friends.

Again, for size context, here’s the PadFone and the Apple iPhone 5S. These devices likely aren’t intended for the same audiences; while Apple aims to give users the best possible smartphone experience, Asus is attempting to address use-case needs with a variety of form factors.

What users may excitedly show off is how the phone slips into the back of the PadPhone Station’s 9-inch display, transforming it into a tablet. Here, the Station is wearing an optional blue cover that includes a soft front flap that protects the display and that, like other popular covers, can be folded to behave as a stand.

Asus has integrated speakers along the front of the tablet, ensuring sound isn’t lost when the cover is on.

Among other accessories for the PadFone is a $99 dock-slash-keyboard that introduces a third form-factor option.

The phone becomes a tablet, which can become a laptop. When the phone is in the tablet Station, it’s said to get twice the battery life. When the tablet or laptop are plugged in, the phone charges.

The Station (or, tablet element) has a 9-inch display with a resolution of 1,920 by 1,200 and 252 pixels per inch. It has an LTE antenna, Bluetooth, and a 4,990mAh (non-removable) battery that offers 8 hours of browsing time over WiFi and 6.4 hours over LTE.

Asus, like other device makers, understands well the difficulty of competing against Samsung and Apple. The PadFone is a way of fighting for market share using more than just a smartphone. While its various form factors may not offer the optimum experience, many consumers may find it worthwhile to make small concessions and get more form factor for their money.

AT&T will exclusively offer Asus’ PadFone, and the two companies have a multi-year deal. Asus’ Benson Lin suggested another device is coming soon. Sales of this device will be watched closely. As consumers’ desire for mobility and device convenience grows, can value-minded users be persuaded to choose more options over more popular devices?