Review: Asus Fonepad is a good tablet, with calling too

Asus Fonepad
Price: Rs 15,999
Specs: Android 4.1, 7-inch WXGA 1280x800p LED IPS panel, Intel Atom Z2420 1.2GHz CPU, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal, 3MP rear, 4270mAh, Micro SD, 3G, GPS

A seven-inch tablet with calling is a product finding fast acceptance in India. Being value conscious, many of us think it is better to just carry around one device instead of a tablet and a smartphone. However, you will need to be able to live with the awkwardness that comes with talking into a seven-inch slate.

The latest to join this product segment is Asus with Fonepad, an Android Jelly Bean tablet with 3G. It is also Intel's second phone device in the Indian market after the Lava Xolo.

The Fonepad has a very holdable form factor and it is thin enough to facilitate easy reading, like you would with a Kindle. We liked the fact that the micro-SIM and micro-SD card are all hidden away behind a sliding flap. There is just the volume and lock button on the left edge, making this a very minimalist design.

The 800x1216p display is good, but not stunning. There were times when we craved for a bit more clarity, but that could be because we have been seeing too many Full HD screens of late. The sound quality is good too. The "Intel Inside" logo at the rear brings in a lot of expectations and we were not disappointed by the Atom Z2420 1.2GHz processor.

We tried a few resource intensive games and noticed no lag at all. Tabbed browsing also worked fine. In fact, the native browser as well as Chrome worked very fast and even YouTube video rendered without trouble over both 3G and Wi-Fi. We did, however, notice a bit of sluggishness with some 3D games.

Yes, it is awkward holding a tablet to your ear. But the Fonepad is a good phone and there was no trouble with voice clarity. We suggest you buy a good Bluetooth earpiece to use with this one. That will end the awkwardness.

Asus has added a bunch of proprietary apps like note-taking SuperNote Lite and Asus Wizard that lets you chose the best audio configuration for your use. We also liked Asus Splendid that lets you tweak the colour settings of the device just the way you want it.

The front and rear cameras are okay, but they are not the best features of this device. That will have to be the battery, which lasted three days for us with average use. If you use the device like a phone, that should be good enough for a full day.

The Asus Fonepad comes across as a good, affordable, option for those who want a tablet which they can use as a phone too. The device will be able to take care of both your phone and tablet needs with ease.

BAG IT OR JUNK IT:
Good option for those upgrading from a cheap smartphone or tablet