ASUS PadFone X Mini

Just this past recent summer, we were introduced to the Asus PadFone X – a high spec’d, versatile, dual functioning device that can go instantly from smartphone to tablet, and vice versa. Well, it seems that Asus just can’t resist giving us options, as the Asus PadFone X mini is a similar functioning device in a smaller package.

The PadFone X Mini looks a lot like the larger PadFone X – it has the same slightly rubbery matte-black plastic back, which offers good grip, but looks a bit plain overall. The main difference between the Mini and its bigger, slimmer brother is that it still has all its baby fat.

The 4.5-inch PadFone's display is a relatively low 854 x 480, while the 7-inch tablet has a 1280 x 800 panel. I didn't like how reflective and smudge-prone the tablet's display was, and its measurement of 260 nits on our light meter is far below the tablet category average (327 nits). The PadFone itself measured 307 nits, dimmer than the average smartphone (367 nits).

Battery life on the ASUS PadFone X Mini is to put it plainly, OK. Inside the phone is a 2,060 mAh cell that gets through the day on light use. On more regular use you’ll need to plug in around 5PM. On a heavy day, you won’t last long at all. However there’s an upside. The tablet dock contains an additional 2,200 mAh battery which can not only charge the phone up when it’s not being used, but also give you some extra time on the tablet itself.