The Transformer Pad TF701 was not the only product ASUS unveiled today at IFA 2013. It also refreshed its fairly new FonePad lineup of small tablets with phone capabilities with the next-generation Fonepad 7 (ME372CG) and the new Fonepad Note 6 (ME560CG) which, as the name implies, comes with a stylus. Both are designed for who want the larger screen that a tablet offers but don’t want to carry a separate smartphone and judging by the fact that ASUS now offers two such devices, it has clearly found a niche for these.
ASUS Fonepad 7 specifications:
- Processor: 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2560
- Operating system: Google Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
- Cellular connectivity: HSPA+ (42Mbps)/GPRS/EDGE
- Other connectivity: A-GPS/GLONASS, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0
- Display: 7-inch WXGA (1280×800) IPS LED
- RAM: 1GB
- Internal storage: 8GB/16GB/32GB
- External storage: MicroSD cards
- Rear-facing camera: 5MP AF with 1080p video capture
- Front-facing camera: 1.2MP with 720p video capture
- Connectors: 3.5mm audio jack, micro-USB port
- Dimensions: 196.6 × 120.1 × 10.5
- Battery: 3,950mAh
- Weight: 340 grams
- Colors: Sapphire Black / Diamond White
- Other: Stereo Speakers with SonicMaster technology
The slightly smaller ASUS FonePad Note 6 comes with a smaller but higher-resolution display that also supports stylus input. Much like Samsung is doing with its Note family, the FonePad Note 6 will come with a number of ASUS that work with the stylus. For example, Instant Page will launch automatically when the stylus is ejected for immediate note taking.
ASUS Fonepad Note 6 specifications:
- Processor: 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2580
- Operating system: Google Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
- Cellular connectivity: HSPA+ (42Mbps)/GPRS/EDGE
- Other connectivity: GPS, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0
- Display: 6-inch Full HD (1080×1920) Super IPS+
- RAM: 2GB
- Internal storage: 16GB/32GB
- External storage: MicroSD cards
- Rear-facing camera: 8MP
- Front-facing camera: 1.2MP
- Battery: 3,200mAh
- Weight: 210 grams
- Colors: Black, White
- Other: Stylus input
ASUS did not announce specific availability and pricing details for either the Fonepad 7 or the Fonepad Note 6. With HSPA+ only cellular connectivity, it’s unlikely that we will see the new FonePads in North America.