Astro Slide 5G Transformer is a smartphone and pocket computer hybrid

At the crowdfunding website Indiegogo, a handset with an interesting form factor and features have appeared, the Astro Slide 5G Transformer.

Astro Slide 5G Transformer from Planet Computers

5G phone and pocket PC in one

According to the project page, it is the world's first 5G smartphone with a keyboard and it works as a pocket PC as well.

Specs and features of Astro Slide 5G

It uses a large 6.53-inch screen (unknown type and reso) with a hidden sliding backlit QWERTY keyboard that you can access when needed.

Under the hood, it is powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 1000, a 7nm chip that uses 4x Cortex-A77 cores clocked at 2.6GHz and 4x Cortex-A55 cores. This chip also has the Mali-G77 MC9 GPU, 3rd gen 5-core APU, and 5G connectivity.

The creators of the device even called it the "fastest 5G device to be announced to date".

The handset also goes with 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, 4,000mAh battery with wireless charging, 48MP main cam, 2x USB-C port, 3.5mm jack, and stereo speakers.

Android 10 with Linux Multi-Boot

The Astro Slide 5G Transformer runs with Android 10 out of the box with a multi-boot option that supports Linux OS.

The device comes with an official SRP of EUR 820 (around PHP 45.9K). But if you back it up at Indiegogo, you can get it with a 40 percent discount or just EUR 490 (around PHP 27.4K).

While it doesn't have all the bleeding edge cameras and other new-gen technologies, this handset could be attractive for power users on the go who wants a phone with a QWERTY keyboard, future-proof 5G connectivity, and the promising speed of the MediaTek Dimensity 1000L.

Let's hope that this crowdfunding project will be successful.

Source: Indiegogo