ASUS Announces FonePad Note: 6-inch 1080p Display, Dual-core 1.6GHz, 2GB RAM

In the world of phablets only one name comes to mind, the Samsung Galaxy Note even though it was launched at the same time with an LG Optimus G Pro that fell along the way. ASUS a manufacturer of computer hardware with a lot of success in the Android tablet market with products such as the Nexus 7 and ASUS Pad series are hoping to change this with their fonepad line up that has always packed an intel processor.

The new FonePad’s most prominent feature is a large 6 inch screen 1080p display, so this device certainly isn’t small, but should hopefully be just usable in-hand, unlike the Nexus and the 7 inch FonePad which are essentially 3G enabled with phone capability. The other hardware features of this device include:

• Intel Atom Z2560 Dual-Core Processor with Hyperthreading Clocked at 1.6 GHz
• 2 GB of RAM
• 6 inch Full HD (1920×1080) Super IPS+ Display up to 450 Nits
• 3G Voice and Data with DC-HSPA+ connectivity up to 42 MBit/s
• Stylus with ASUS App Integration
• 8 MP Rear and 1.2 MP Front Camera
• Front Stereo Speakers

Unfortunately it does appear as though this phone will be stuck with just a 3G connection and won’t be supporting 4G LTE speeds, but it is still capable of downloading at speeds up to 42 MBit/s which should be more than enough for most users, but given Intel’s recent innovation in having designed the smallest 4G chipset it’s odd that ASUS won’t be including it, perhaps it will be found in a later model. The FonePad will also have an Intel Atom processor, while it is nice to see some variety in this the industry by using something besides an ARM based design, current Intel Atom chipsets still aren’t as energy-efficient as their ARM counterparts, but given the size of the device ASUS should be able to fit a large battery to keep the device powered, and judging from earlier benchmarks it won’t be a slouch when it comes to performance, despite being only a dual-core processor due to Intel advanced hyperthreading technology found in their iX series processors.

The phone also takes some design cues from both Samsung and HTC. Samsung proved that despite Steve Jobs’ insistence that you should just be using your hands to control devices, there is a market for a device with a stylus, so the FonePad Note will be equipped with one unlike other Galaxy Note competitors such as the LG Optimus G Pro. Like the Galaxy Notes this won’t just be a tacky accessory but will be closely integrated into the functionality and the software of the device. As for their design cue from HTC, the FonePad Note will have front facing stereo speakers like the HTC One and Desire 600, this is major advantage over Samsung in my opinion because when you are consuming media wouldn’t it be a lot better if the speakers actually faced you instead of away from you forcing you to cup your hands in a manner to try to reflect the sound?

There is currently no information on pricing and availability of this device, but hopefully ASUS will release more information soon. Are you excited about the slew of products that ASUS is unleashing at Computex and do you think the FonePad will take the Galaxy Note to school in the phablet market? This comes just at the time when Asus is looking to get set up offices in the Kenyan market to serve the East African region. How soon do you think it will before we see this phablet here with us?

Image Source: Engadget

Via: Android Head Lines