HP may be working on its first Android smartphone

HP logo
HP could be about to re-enter the Android arena.

HP is only associated with smartphones in a failed way, thanks to the dismal post Palm purchase Pre 2, but there's a chance that could change as it unleashed an Android handset on the world.

At least that's the sense we get from some benchmarks for a product called 'HP Slate 6 Voice Tab' which popped up on GFX Bench. Based on the name it looks like HP might be planning to market it more as a tablet than a phone, but at six inches and with voice support it sounds a lot like a phablet to us.

Unfortunately it doesn't sound like the most exciting debut, as it has a 1 GHz quad-core Marvell processor and a 720p display. It's also running Android 4.2, which is now two generations behind.

Phablets and tablets

Alongside the Slate 6 Voice Tab, benchmarks also appeared for a device called the HP Bowser 10 x2. This is very much a tablet and looks a little more powerful than its phablet companion, as it has a 1.8 GHz quad-core Tegra 4 processor, Android 4.3 and, at least according to GFX Bench, a 1920 x 1008 display, which would make it marginally worse than full HD.

Those specs still aren't really anything special, but both devices could make for decent mid-range options if they're priced right.

HP went low-end with its pricing on the Slate 7, so if it does the same thing with the new Slate 6, we could see a moderately attractive phablet for a rock-bottom price.

James Rogerson

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.