Astro Slide 5G Transformer smartphone comes with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard
![](https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/03/astro-slide-5g-transformer/-728x314/gsmarena_000.jpg)
In a world where smartphone hardware keyboards are next to extinct, a bunch of enthusiasts decided to try and shake up the market a bit with the Astro Slide 5G Transformer. This is a 5G handset that has a slide QWERTY keyboard, just like the beloved 10-year-old Nokia E7.
![Astro Slide 5G Transformer smartphone comes with a slide QWERTY keyboard](https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/03/astro-slide-5g-transformer/gsmarena_001.gif)
The form factor is the most intriguing part here since specs-wise it is more of a midranger - the chipset is Mediatek Dimensity 1000 and Even if the people behind this device call it “the fastest 5G device to be announced to date”.
![Astro Slide 5G Transformer smartphone comes with a slide QWERTY keyboard](https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/03/astro-slide-5g-transformer/-727/gsmarena_003.jpg)
The gadget brings a single 48MP camera, a 6.53” screen with unknown ratio or resolution, NFC + wireless charging and a 4,000 mAh battery. The keyboard is backlit, and the creators Project Computers also put two USB-C ports, a 3.5 mm audio jack and stereo speakers. It has Android 10 and a multi-boot option, supporting Linux.
Clearly this phone is aimed at customers wanting it for the novelty and not the mighty performance. With its 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, it can get you through the daily tasks of writing emails, especially in these hard times when we are confined to our homes.
![Astro Slide 5G Transformer smartphone comes with a slide QWERTY keyboard](https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/03/astro-slide-5g-transformer/-727/gsmarena_002.jpg)
If you back up the Astro Slide 5G Transformer project, you’ll get a 40% Early Bird discount from the €820 (!) retail price and get a phone for “just” €490.
A thing to keep in mind is that smartphone development is a very resource-heavy task and requires a lot of investment. Way more than Planet computers can hope to gather on a crowdfunding platform. So unless the company has other, more substantial, backers you will either get a device with plenty of corners cut or no device at all.
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Reader comments
- MC
- 15 Oct 2021
- vnE
I have its predecessor the Cosmo Communicator, (I'm typing this comment on it right now), it's a fantastic device. The keyboard is brilliant. I'm keen to see how the Linux options pan out on the Astro Slide, if Ubuntu Touch gets port...
- Well
- 19 Feb 2021
- Dfr
I would like to have a mobile like that