Asus PadFone: a great high end tablet that can be used as a phone

Hi guys, welcome back!

Asus Padfone series has been the most unique and – in my opinion - the only one that that has originality of design compared to other rivals out there.

(Asus Padfone Specs)

And that’s amazing because this tablet series – or smartphone series, if you would – has its own characteristic than most of tablets on the market right now.

As a matter of fact, i don’t think there is any other tablet or smartphone or even gadget that uses this same design concept just like what Asus brought to this Asus PadFone series.

So i think the idea of combining smartphone and tablet into one device is just truly ground breaking.

And it’s even more impressive because Asus Padfone series is also intended by Asus as a productivity device with its keyboard dock, just like what it has been doing with Asus Transformer line.


Anyway guys, on this website, i’ve already showed to you 4 models of tablets in Asus Padfone series – from Asus Padfone, Asus Padfone 2, Asus Padfone Infinity and Asus Padfone Infinity 2.

Asus Padfone series is the regular model, while Asus Padfone Infinity series is a more premium version with brushed aluminum finish (as opposed to the glossy plastic finish on the regular model).

Besides those 4 models, Asus actually also has 2 other models in the same series. They are Asus Padfone X and Asus Padfone S.

However, today, i’m going to start with the first one – which is Asus Padfone X. This model – if i’m not mistaken – just got released a few months back in July, alongside Asus Padfone S.

So i think there is no other great time than today to make my personal impressions for this tablet in this review.

Okay then guys, if you’re interested to learn more about this tablet (or smartphone?), including my personal take on its gaming performance, then here you go, my personal review of Asus Padfone X.


I think, compared to Asus Padfone Infinity 2, this tablet is not such a huge departure from the previous-gen model.

It still shares the same ‘snappy’ Snapdragon 800 processor, Adreno 330 GPU and a bunch of other goodies that basically can be found also inside Asus Padfone Infinity 2.

So it’s probably not such a great idea to upgrade to this latest-gen model if you already own Asus Padfone Infinity 2.

Not to mention, Asus Padfone X also still carries the same design concept that has been the trademark of Asus Padfone series – a smartphone that can turn into a tablet device, then become a productivity tablet with keyboard dock.

So basically, Asus Padfone X is still the same exact device just like its predecessors.

However, despite not bringing something new to this series, i think Asus Padfone X is still worth it to buy, especially for those looking for a decent productivity tablet from Asus that offers a lot of benefits like its ability to be a normal regular Android smartphone or tablet.

Besides, it’s still really rare to find the similar device that can do all of things that Asus Padfone X can do. In fact, there’s no other tablets out there that can be as great and useful as Asus Padfone X.

But the questions remain, with all of these unique abilities found on Asus Padfone X and not to mention, its high-grade hardware specs, does this tablet have what it takes to be an iPad Air killer?

Does this tablet deserve to be positioned alongside other tablets on today’s tablet market?

Is it worth it to upgrade to oAsus Padfone X if you already own the previous-gen Asus Padfone Infinity 2?

Well, hopefully we’re gonna get all the conclusion and the answers of these questions at the end of this review. So be sure to stick around guys!


When it comes to design, Asus Padfone X is actually not very different compared to its predecessors. In fact, everything about this device is basically just the new same version of the previous-gen Asus Padfone tablets. It’s still a smartphone – a normal 5-inch Android smartphone – which can be docked into a tablet device called Padfone Station.

The system and the real hardware are still crammed on the smartphone, while the Padfone Station is basically just a tablet vessel.

So if you lost the smartphone, this Padfone Station is no longer useful for you and probably wouldn’t even sell on the market.

As far as the design is concerned, Asus Padfone X is actually quite different especially with the previous-gen device - Asus Padfone Infinity 2.

It now has more rounded rectangular corners and there is this metal trim all over the bezels.

Overall, i think Asus did a great job with the design of this device.

It may not have the same premium feel as iPhone 6 or iPad Air, but i believe it still has its own premium feel, thanks to the brushed aluminum finish on its rear-case.

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• Exclusively only for AT&T Customers
• 4G Network LTE (Micro-SIM)
• Released 2014, July
• 5.0 inch Super IPS+ LCD capacitive touchscreen,
• 1080 x 1920 pixels, (~441 ppi pixel density)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Chipset
• Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU
• Adreno 330 GPU
• 2 GB RAM
• Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
• 13 MP rear-facing camera LED flash
• 2 MP front-facing camera (1080p@25fps video recording)
• microSD memory Card slot for up to 64 GB
• 16 GB Internal storage
• GPRS
• NFC
• Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass Sensors
• No Radio
• Java MIDP emulator
• Titanium Black, Platinum White Colors
• * Padfone Station with 9 inches IPS display, 1920 x 1200 pixels, 4990 mAh battery, front camera.
• Non-removable Li-Po 2300 mAh battery
• Up to 456 h (3G) Stand-by
• Up to 20 h (3G) Talk time

Compared to the previous-gen Asus Padfone Infinity 2, this latest-gen Asus Padfone X is actually not such a huge departure in terms of specs.

First of all, the smartphone still adopts the same exact 5-inch display with 1920x1080 pixel resolution.

It goes the same with many of other sectors of this device.

It still inherits the same Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor with the same 2.3GHz clock speed, 2GB of RAM, Adreno 330 GPU, 13MP rear-facing camera with LED flash, 2MP front-facing camera, 16GB of internal storage with microSD card slot for up to 64GB and some other more.

But even so, there are still some changes made by Asus on this Asus Padfone X compared to the previous-gen Asus Padfone Infinity 2, like its smaller 2300mAh battery capacity, a smaller 9-inch display on the Padfone Station (but with the same 1080p resolution), newer Android 4.4 KitKat and micro-SIM card slot – as opposed to the slightly larger 2400mAh battery, a bigger 10.1-inch display, older Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and nano-SIM card slot on the Asus Padfone Infinity 2.

But overall, both of these tablets are still equally great and powerful in performance.

And that’s mostly thanks to their same exact Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM and Adreno 330 GPU found inside these 2 tablets.


On the screen sector, now Asus Padfone X is packing a smaller 9-inch display on the Padfone Station, as opposed to the 10.1-inch display on the Asus Padfone Infinity.

However, both of these devices still share the same exact screen resolution either on the phone and the Padfone Station – 1920x1080 pixels on the smartphone, 1920x1200 pixels on the Padfone Station.

But Asus Padfone X has a much sharper screen on its Padfone Station given that this device is now using a smaller 9-inch display, compared to the 10.1-inch screen on Asus Padfone Infinity 2.

So with the same 1920x1200 pixel resolution crammed into a smaller screen, it’s really obvious that Asus Padfone X has the edge on the sharpness compared to the predecessor.

But even so, both devices are still equally great on their displays.


On Asus Padfone X, Asus still uses the same UI just like the other Asus Padfone series.

So it’s not the stock Android UI and there are some tweaks and customizations that Asus made on the entire software build on this tablet – like different wallpapers, skins, icons, widgets (especially weather and clock widgets), features, visual presentations, app drawer, etc.

So when it comes to performance, it’s probably not going to be as fast as other tablets with the stock Android UI.

The good thing is, Asus Padfone X is already equipped with some monster specs like Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and Adreno 330 GPU, which are more than ‘happier’ to perform really fast and smooth when handling Asus’ fully-customized UI for this device.

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As far as the performance goes, there’s no doubt that Asus Padfone X will be blazing fast and smooth. That’s mostly thanks to its ‘snappy’ Snapdragon 800 processor, coupled with 2GB of RAM and Adreno 330 GPU.

This type of hardware specs is actually the current most powerful specs even in today's standards.

And only flagship devices that have this same hardware package, like Samsung GALAXY Tab Pro, Tab S, Note Pro, Kindle Fire HDX and many more.

So basically, this tablet will perform smoothly when doing some basic daily tasks – like watching HD movies, reading books, editing documents, checking out photos, browsing the web or when using live wallpaper.

Meanwhile, the gaming performance of this tablet is probably one of its strongest points.

Thanks to the ‘snappy’ Snapdragon 800 processor, Adreno 330 GPU and 2GB of RAM, Asus Padfone X is more than capable to handle even the latest and the most graphics intense games like Asphalt 8: Airborne, Modern Combat 5 or GTA San Andreas - all in buttery smooth performance, even in full highest graphics.

The great thing about Asus Padfone X is actually its gaming experience.

As mentioned above, Asus Padfone X consists in 2 different devices – the 5-inch smartphone and the 9-inch Padfone Station.

So for playing games, i think Asus Padfone X is a lot more fun to use than any other Android devices out there because you can play the games either on the smartphone or via the tablet (Padfone Station). It’s your call.

I mean, if you’re okay playing the games on a smaller screen, you can just do it with the 5-inch smartphone.

On the other hand, if you’re not fully satisfied playing the games on a small screen, you can just dock that smartphone into the Padfone Station and play the games on a much larger device. So i think this is a huge plus point on Asus Padfone X.


On the latest-gen Asus Padfone X, Asus made a slight change on the battery capacity of this device.

Unlike its predecessor - Asus Padfone Infinity 2 – that has 2400mAh battery on the smartphone and 5000mAh battery on Padfone Station, now Asus Padfone X only comes with a smaller 2300mAh power battery and 4990mAh battery on both smartphone and Padfone Station respectively.

But this is not such a huge bummer given that Asus Padfone X now uses a smaller 9-inch display on its Padfone Station (as opposed to the 10.1-inch display on Asus Padfone Infinity 2).

So i believe its battery is still decent just like the predecessor, even in heavy use.

But of course, if you’re going to use this device for doing some heavy intense tasks intensively without resting the screen at all, then you can only expect its battery life to last probably around 4 to 6 hours (or more if it’s attached with the Padfone Station).


Just like my impression of Asus Padfone Infinity 2, i think this latest-gen Asus Padfone X is also a decent quality device, especially for those of you who’re looking for a complete well-rounded device for enjoying contents and of course, who have ‘the budget’ because this device is really expensive.

However, i think the fact that this tablet still shares some similar specs of predecessor really makes it confusing for users whether this device is worth upgrading or not (for those who already own Asus Padfone Infinity 2).

But even so, there are still some great things to appreciate on this Asus Padfone X – like:

• its newer software build,
• sharper screen (due to smaller 9-inch display),
• new improvements on the battery life
• Snapdragon 800 processor,
• 2GB of RAM,
• Adreno 330 GPU,
• 13MP rear-facing camera with LED flash,
• 2MP front-facing camera
• and many more.

So i think Asus Padfone X is still worth it to buy, even with that sky-high price point.

It’s great as a normal regular Android smartphone, it’s great for watching movies, browsing the web, reading books/magazines, editing documents and even playing games.

And the awesome thing is, this device will serve you really well because not only can you use it as a smartphone, but you can also dock this smartphone into the Padfone Station and turn it into a bigger 9-inch tablet.

So to sum this up, i’ll try to answer some of the questions i’ve asked previously above:

1. Does this tablet have what it takes to be an iPad Air killer? Yes, definitely – thanks to its monster high-end specs and not to mention its hybrid capability to work as both smartphone and tablet, Asus Padfone X is no-brainer far better than iPad Air. It may not have the same premium aluminum feel and thin design, but these 2 things are probably nothing compared to all the benefits that users will reap from Asus Padfone X.
2. Does this tablet deserve to be positioned alongside other tablets on today’s tablet market? No argue, Yes, it does – given its high-grade specs and powerful performance, there’s no doubt that Asus Padfone X has all the way to be pitted side-by-side against any flagship tablets on the market right now.
3. Is it worth it to upgrade Asus Padfone X if you already own the previous-gen Asus Padfone Infinity 2? I think it’s pretty confusing because Asus Padfone Infinity 2 has that premium brushed aluminum finish all over its body, unlike this Asus Padfone X with its plastic matte finish. Besides, Asus Padfone Infinity 2 shares all the beefy specs of Asus Padfone X. So in my opinion, it’s probably not worth it to upgrade to Asus Padfone X if you already own the previous-gen Asus Padfone Infinity 2.

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