Asus PadFone 2 gets German release date — still no UK details though

The Asus PadFone 2 has finally got an official release date – it’s landing on December 1 in Germany, just in time for Christmas. Unfortunately there’s still no word on when it’ll be hitting the UK. 

Asus promised the PadFone 2 would launch in Europe before the close of the year, following its unveiling at IFA 2012. It’s a second-gen device that picks up where the original PadFone left off, adding improved spec, superior hardware, and a more refined design. 

The tablet-smartphone combo will be released in the country on December 1st, with users being able to choose between 32 and 64 GB versions. Off-contract, the former could be yours for 799 EUR, while the latter will sell for 100 EUR more, reports Into Mobile. 

The PadFone 2, like the Nexus 4, runs a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset, 2GB of RAM, supports HSPA+, and features a 4.7-inch IPS 720p display. Check out our first-look at the PadFone 2 here to read more about the device’s unique nature. 

Being unique does cause problems though and Asus’ design here is a rather controversial one, particularly with networks.

With the PadFone 2 you’re getting two devices – a tablet and a smartphone – that run off a single data plan. That's two devices for the same data price as one, which means less money for networks. 

Think about it: most tablets and smartphones run on separate SIM cards. That means two separate data plans for two devices and more money for networks – that’s just the way it is.

The PadFone 2 side steps this problem completely by only requiring one SIM for both. No wonder the UK networks are seemingly a bit daunted by the prospect of this device. 

Know Your Mobile has reached out to a selection of UK networks to find out more about the Asus PadFone 2 and when it’ll be coming to the UK. 

We’ll update you with more information as soon as we get it.