ASUS announces re-tooled Padfone for April release, lower-priced Transformer Pad 300
ASUS has finally come clean on the launch details of their Padfone almost a year after the device was initially unveiled. The combination smartphone/tablet still features a handset that docks inside a larger display to provide the same functionality as a tablet, but it’s no longer the super-powered monster it was once promised to be. The smartphone half of the device still carries the new dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor with Adreno 225 graphics and runs the latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, which should give it plenty of pep. It also touts a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display. When combined with the 10.1-inch tablet half the Padfone takes on a new range of capabilities. A unique stylus accessory doubles as as a headset for placing phone calls and there will even be a keyboard dock, giving the Padfone the ultimate one-two-three punch.
Speaking of keyboard docks, ASUS also announced a new member to the Transformer family, the Transformer Pad 300. Utilizing plastic materials rather than the metallic elements of the Transformer Prime, ASUS was able to drop the price down to $399 without sacrificing the quad-core Tegra 3 processor. The 10.1-inch tablet also sports an 8MP camera, 2MP front-facing camera, and 16GB of internal storage.
The Padfone will be available from April at an undisclosed price while there are no firm details on the Transformer Pad 300’s release. We’ll post up hands-on video and impressions of ASUS’ newest gear as soon as we have it.