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The Asus FonePad is a well-built tablet, but a ridiculous phone concept (hands-on)

It won't be released in the U.S., but the Asus FonePad is available to U.K. customers now. It's a good 7-inch tablet, but is a pretty silly phone concept.

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Eric Franklin Former Editorial Director
Eric Franklin led the CNET Tech team as Editorial Director. A 20-plus-year industry veteran, Eric began his tech journey testing computers in the CNET Labs. When not at work he can usually be found at the gym, chauffeuring his kids around town, or absorbing every motivational book he can get his hands on.
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5 min read

Editors' note: We recently learned that our test model of the Asus FonePad includes firmware that's not yet optimized for the U.S. market. We've since removed the rating and plan to do a full review of the device when it is fully optimized for the U.S. In the meantime, enjoy our hands-on preview of the FonePad.

As its name alludes, the FonePad is one of those tablet/smartphone -- or phablet -- doohickeys. Like the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, it features a large screen and you can make calls on it. However, with a 7-inch screen size, Asus has taken the FonePad to a whole new level of ridiculousness.

Holding the tablet to your head to make calls is awkward and looks (and feels) genuinely comical. Those whose first inclination at a concert is to whip out their iPads and start taking pictures have already shown us that some people have no shame when using their tech devices. I do and would not be caught in public holding the FonePad to my face.

The Asus FonePad is a good tablet. It's no Nexus 7 in the performance, price, or always-having-the-latest-version-of-Android department, but it performs well, has a sharp screen, and a comfortable and durable build.

And if you're willing to face the embarrassment and physical awkwardness of holding a Nexus 7-size slate to your head when making calls -- sure, you could use a headset, but a 7-inch tablet isn't nearly as portable as a phone -- its 178-pound (or $275 if imported) price isn't a bad deal for an all-inclusive device. However, if you’re strictly looking only for a tablet, skip this and buy the Nexus 7.

The Asus FonePad is available now in U.K., but Asus has no plans to release it in the U.S; however, it will work as a phone here in the states. I used an AT&T SIM to test it without any technical complications.

The well-performing Asus FonePad looks downright silly as a phone (pictures)

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Design and features
Like the Asus Memo ME172V, the Asus FonePad is essentially a slightly redesigned Asus-made Nexus 7. It's roughly the same size and has the same silver trim around its edge, but instead of a grippy leathery backside like the Nexus 7's, it instead features a silver aluminum back. The Nexus 7 is still more comfortable to hold, but the FonePad's slightly lighter metal body feels more durable.