HP announced its Windows 10 Mobile-based Elite x3 at MWC 2016 in February. The unlocked 5.96-inch phablet is now available to purchase from the company's online store and includes a desk dock in the box for $799.
As Apple's iPhones and Google's Android-based smartphones proved to be resounding successes, HP decided that it wanted to make a name for itself in the smartphone world, and rather than using Android or Microsoft's Windows Mobile, it acquired Palm and its webOS for $1.2 billion in 2010.
Acquiring Palm and webOS instantly gave HP hardware and software it believed would allow it to compete with Apple and Google. That dream was short-lived, and in August 2011, HP announced it would discontinue production of all webOS-based smartphones and tablets.
After a few years on the sidelines, HP decided to re-enter the smartphone game in 2016, when it unveiled its 5.96-inch Elite x3 at Mobile World Congress 2016 in February.
"Commercial mobility is prime for disruption, and has never seen innovation at this scale," said Dion Weisler, president and chief executive officer of HP Inc. "The HP Elite x3 is a revolutionary mobile platform that enables mobility and computing to come together in a truly meaningful way. Together with the strength of our partners, we're propelling the industry forward and turning the promise of mobile productivity into a reality for customers."
HP promised that the Elite x3 would be available in the summer, and it has just delivered on that promise. The HP Elite x3 is now available for purchase through the company's online store.
The HP Elite x3 features a 5.96-inch 560 by 1440 Quad HD AMOLED display with a pixel density of 494 pixels per inch (ppi) and runs on the latest version of Windows 10 Mobile. The handset is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, Adreno 530 GPU (graphics processing unit) and 4 GB of RAM. It ships with 64 GB of internal storage and a microSD expansion slot that supports up to 256 GB microSD cards.
HP has packed in a 16 megapixel rear camera with autofocus, LED flash, ability to capture 1080p video at 30fps and a front-facing 8 megapixel camera for Skype and selfies. The phablet includes a large 4,150 mAh non-removable battery, which HP claims will provide up to 33 hours of talk time, 14 hours of web browsing and up to 500 hours of standby time. The company is also shipping the HP Elite x3 Desk Dock in the box, which allows users to connect it to an external monitor for a full-featured desktop experience.
If you're interested in picking up the HP Elite x3, head over to HP's online store, where you can score the unlocked phablet for $799, which includes free shipping.
