The Astro Slide 5G Transformer is a well, looker a the very least. In the year 2020, the Astro Slide is looking to bring back slider phones, and well, I guess that’s cool? This is definitely not for everyone, but I can definitely see the appeal to some.

The main appeal here, definitely has to be the form factor and its ability to transform into a pocket computer, akin to phones waaaay back when. You know, like the Nokia E7, or any number of HTC phones, that I can remember. Thought besides that, the device has kinda mid-range specs.

The Astro Slide 5G Transformer comes with a Mediatek Dimensity 1000 chipset, but is sporting 5G. They even claim the device is “the fastest 5G smartphone announced to date” which I highly doubt.

But besides the obvious hyping up, it also features some other decent specs. The Astro Slide comes with a 48MP camera, 6.53″ screen (no info on the ratio or resolution), 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, wireless charging support, and a 4000mAh battery.

The keyboard on the Slide is backlit, which you can switch off when it’s night and day to save some battery which is cool. 

Powering the device, there’s Android 10 out the box, but it also has a multi-boot option which supports Linux. So it will get you through the day to do some browsing, writing emails, and other typing activities you use your smartphone for. But I don’t think it has mass appeal, especially with the extra bulk that comes from the keyboard.

The Astro Slide 5G Transformer is currently on Indiegogo, where it costs RM3916, but there’s a 40% Early Bird which brings it down to RM2348. Though keep in mind, it takes a lot of money to keep developing a smartphone. Crowdfunding has seen cases where at the end of the day, customers get a product that isn’t what they advertised, or no product at all. So, be cautious if you were thinking of putting your money to get one.