ASUS Padfone 2 Pro Reviews

The PadFone is such a good idea you wonder why nobody thought of it before. Despite the lack of storage expansion, the benefits of having a phone with an optional ten-inch screen and a reserve battery are obvious, while the handset itself is every bit as good as the Nexus 4. Better in some ways. The price isn’t exorbitant, either. If you opted for the most affordable Android alternatives - the 16GB Nexus 4 and the Asus MeMo Pad 10 - you would still be looking at around £530 but with 16GB less storage in the phone, a less powerful chipset in your tablet and a lot less convenience. If the tablet’s screen resolution is putting you off, keep in mind that there will be a more expensive 1920 x 1080 version along soon called the PadFone Infinity.

We wish the tablet's screen was brighter, but this is still an innovative and convenient alternative to carrying both a smartphone and tablet

The Asus Padfone 2 is an interesting and unique offering. For £599 you get both a phone and a tablet in one although this has its limitations. Good hardware and excellent battery life are the standout features while build quality is a bit of a let-down. We really like the Padfone 2 but if you're looking to a smartphone and a tablet on the cheap then we suggest Google's Nexus devices.

The Asus Padfone 2 is a fine example of the kind of out-of-the-box thinking we like to see from more manufacturers. The hybrid is a unique concept which makes so much sense that we wonder why more OEMs haven't explored it. Not only do you get access to your files and apps at all times without having to use any kind of sync service or install them twice, but you will also enjoy the power of the Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset and its 4 Krait cores and network connectivity on both devices without paying extra for it. Of course, you obviously cannot use both devices simultaneously, but unless you plan on sharing, that's a non-issue. The actual execution of the idea has also been notably improved with the second generation Padfone. The hybrid is now properly powered, it's lighter and looks more stylish than its predecessor, and allows you to switch between the two displays much faster. We also like the Zenbook-inspired design much better. The upgraded camera also makes a difference and the new spring system makes sure everything remains locked firmly in place.

The Asus Padfone 2 wants to simplify the smartphone or tablet or conundrum, giving you both sides of the equation, locked into symbiotic coexistence. It gives you the benefit of both worlds: the big screen when you want it; the powerful pocketable phone when you don’t. There’s no problem with knowing what files are on which device, you don’t need separate data contracts, you only need to sync one device. But at the same time, you’re compromising. Just how well does having an expanded display work? What happens to apps you’re running on one when you shift to the other? Is the Padfone concept - that of a hybrid device - really one that’s going to take off?

As an independent smartphone, the Asus Padfone 2 is one impressive device that can tangle with some of the greats out there, seeing that it has that wonderful balance between raw performance and impressive hardware. Crazy to believe it, but the handset is one of the lightest smartphones in its class! Beyond that, we're glad that Asus decided to go with a different route in how the smartphone is docked with the Padfone Station. Simply put it, the entire thing makes more sense – plus, it's seamless and quick with very few complications. However, when this is sporting an average price point of $800 contract-free for both devices, it'll surely raise a few brows in the process. Typically, it's a hard tally to cough up, but when we think about it more, some will surely dish out the dough to experience something very different. Still, purchasing the Padfone 2 means that you'll need to be invested in the two devices for the long run – especially considering that the next version of this device won't accommodate the older hardware. Generally speaking, it's neat that there's dual-functionality with the Padfone 2, but as an all-in-one solution, you might also want to think about some of the other phablets out there – such as the Samsung Galaxy Note II that might appease your itch.

Uncovered. Asus has announced the launch of the PadFone 2 for December. Exactly like its predecessor, the PadFone 2 is a combination of a smartphone and a tablet. Immediately noticeable: While the first generation PadFone was well enclosed, the PadFone 2 boldly reveals its innermost and is plugged in the tablet without a cover.

At a time when smartphones are becoming more and more similar, ASUS continues to inject real innovation and excitement into the market. The first Transformer Pad wasn't an instant hit, but what followed has helped ASUS establish a strong presence in the tablet market. We think the same will happen with the PadFone series. Merely half a year after the first attempt, its successor arrived right on time with all the best ingredients: a powerful and efficient quad-core processor, a powerful graphics engine, a large mobile display, best-in-class camera performance, LTE and a super-slick user experience. And that's just the phone alone!