华硕PadFone 2 智能手机测评

The PadFone uses Android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich. An upgrade to Android 4.1 has been promised by the manufacturer. Noteworthy feature of the PadFone 2 is the "intuitive" handling. When changing from the smartphone to the tablet, the displayed content will be automatically transferred to the tablet's screen and adapted to the new format. Active applications recognize the moment of change and continue seamlessly. The predecessor sometimes needed a reconnection to the station, in order to resume the running applications. We'll see later on if this problem is present in the PadFone 2. Another innovation: the PadFone 2 offers a new version of the app SuperNote, which transforms handwriting into typed text. In addition, the Instant Translation application translates texts in e-mails and websites, thus making third-party translation tools obsolete according to the manufacturer.

PadFone采用了Android冰淇淋三明治。制造商已经承诺升级到Android4.1。值得一提的功能的PadFone2的“直觉”的处理。从智能手机到平板电脑时，显示的内容将自动转移到平板电脑的屏幕上，并适应新的格式。活动应用程序的变化和认识的那一刻，继续无缝地。其前身有时需要重新连接到了车站，以恢复运行的应用程序。我们将在后面看到，如果这个问题出现在PadFone2。另一项创新：PadFone2 SuperNote的应用程序，这将手写内容转换成键入的文本提供了一个新的版本。此外，即时翻译应用程序将文本电子邮件和网站，从而使第三方翻译工具已经过时按照制造商。

Accessories

In addition to the AC adapter, in the box we find a charging cable for the Padfone 2 and the station. This is a positive upgrade - the previous model had two different charging cables, but only one AC adapter. The annoying unplugging is over, since the 13-pin connector fits on both devices. In the package there are also instructions and warranty information, as well as in-ear headphones, including earbud replacements. 

Asus has omitted the PadFone Stylus, which was supplied with the first generation and served as an input device and headset in one. The Station Dock, the optional keyboard for the first PadFone, will not be available for the current model. Instead, Asus offers the user a 50 GB online storage, free for a period of two years.

Warranty

Asus delivers the PadFone 2 and the station with a two-year warranty, including Pick-Up&Return Service. The warranty applies to Germany and Austria.

Prompt and reliable – this is how the capacitive touch screen of the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich based PadFone 2 reacts. While the first generation's display did not always "react" instantly, the one on the Padfone 2 scores points with its responsiveness and precision. The 10.1-inch tablet display does not – at least subjectively – fall behind the smaller device. Both the station and smartphone fared equally well in rotating display content 180 degrees. 

Overall the mobile duet makes a good impression in terms of handling and control. This has been improved: the first PadFone model wobbled a bit when inserted in the station. A reliable and instantaneous transfer of the image to the tablet was not always the case and the user was greeted with a black screen now and then. The PadFone 2 manages the connection and the screen content adjustment significantly better.

On the other, the 13-pin connector is not so succesful. It is really small and very fragile, making it somewhat clumsy to use. The 5 mm connector can be easily damaged by plugging it in at the wrong angle or even upside down. Cautious use is advised. The same is true for the station connector. Because there is no cover any more, the smartphone docking connector is out in the open and is not protected from dirt or physical damage. Therefore, the tablet should be protected accordingly, especially when travelling.

However, Asus has changed a lot on the smartphone's display. First of all, it is now 4.7 inches, larger than the 4.3-inch predecessor. The manufacturer has also changed the Super AMOLED panel for an IPS one. The IPS panel has a resolution of 1280x720 pixels and is significantly better than the display of the predecessor. Crystal clear images and a very good black level follow as a result. The maximum brightness at the nine measurement points was between 495 and 558 cd/m^2.

In terms of measured values, the smaller duet partner is significantly ahead and leaves the tablet display out in the cold. The PadFone 2 is also subjectively better. This is so because of the higher brightness and great contrast ratio, which in turn is due to the good black level. This is especially noticeable when displaying darker images.

In the browser based benchmark Google V8 the Padfone 2 shows a solid, although not outstanding result. Here, it is on par with the HTC One S. Genuine tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Note are the reigning champions here.

Sometimes less is more: in the Javascript benchmark Sunspider the Padfone 2 is slightly better than the predecessor. Here, it manages 1385.5 ms, while its brother reached 1625.3 ms.

Temperature

The temperatures of the Asus PadFone 2 can be described as extremely discreet: even under full load for several hours, at no point was the casing hotter than 37.7 degrees C; under normal usage it reached a maximum of 33.3 degrees C. The station of the Padfone 2 also remains cool under full load and reached a maximum of 39.4 degrees C. At 43 degrees C, the AC adapter is a bit on the hot side; under normal usage it reaches 27.2 degrees C, which is still far from the critical level.

With a maximum run time of 18 hours and 13 minutes in the Reader's test with minimum brightness, the Padfone 2 shows a lot of stamina. Equipped with a 2140 mAh Lithium-Polymer battery, the smartphone promises to be an enduring mobile companion. The first PadFone ran out of steam after 10 hours in the Reader's test. In the more realistic WLAN browsing test with brightness set at 150 cd/m^2, the battery was empty after 9 hours. Under full load, the battery lasted 3 hours and 9 minutes. If the smartphone is connected to the tablet, the WLAN browsing time increases to 16.5 hours, because it benefits from the 5000 mAh battery of the station.

At first glance, the PadFone 2 looks chic and well made. The new "freedom" at the back suits the mobile duet well. The unsheltered insertion of the PadFone into the tablet not only looks good, but also has its advantages: the opening and closing of the cover are gone, the switch from phone to tablet is quick and possible with one hand. Disadvantages of the new coverless design: the sensitive pin connectors, which lock the smartphone in place, are now unprotected. We advise caution, because the pins can be damaged easily and dirt can accumulate in the socket. The same is true for the charging port and the connector of the cable. The connection port is very fragile. Plugging it at the wrong angle can lead to permanent damage. This makes it somewhat cumbersome to use.

On the other hand,  the hardware equipment is a success. The brand new Quad Core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor provide lots of power under the hood. Fast browsing and smooth come as a result. The IPS panel of the PadFone 2 is also convincing: bright colors, sharp image, and high contrast make the display a joy to look at, especially on the smartphone. Can the smartphone-station combo replace a "true" tablet - the question remains open in the case of the PadFone 2 as well. There's also the steep price of 800 Euros (~$1062) for the 32GB model. For 64 GB the customer will have to pay about 900 Euros (~$1195). Those who enjoy powerful „gadgets“, can do without the option to expand the memory, and would not mind the wobbly typing experience, due to the non-flat back of the station, might find the hybrid solution to be an interesting alternative to a standard tablet.