MWC 2016: HP looks for UK resellers for its new Elite X3 business smartphone

HP is releasing a six-inch Windows 10-powered device that promises to put the power of a desktop in your pocket.

The HP Elite X3 mobile PC, which can be modded to fit a variety of work environments such as healthcare and heavy industry, is even able to take advantage of Windows 10’s cross-platform Continuum feature with a number of nifty accompanying accessories.

Designed in partnership with Microsoft over the course of 18 months, the Elite X3 certainly packs a punch when it comes to the hardware side.

Underneath the Gorilla Glass 4-protected display, there’s Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 820 processor, the most powerful smartphone chip around at the moment able to provide PC-level performance, backed up with 4GB of DDR4 RAM, 64GB storage (which can be extended up to 2TB via microSD).

The device also carries support for Cat 6 LTE networks and packs a massive 4,150mAh battery which HP says will easily give a full day’s hard use.

As the company expects the Elite X3 to be used for videoconferencing, the device features some powerful audio and video hardware. HP has worked with Bang & Olufsen to implement dual front-facing speakers and the 8 megapixel front camera is capable of pulling together two images to present the best quality (and best lit) image for Skype.

Security is provided first by two layers of biometrics, with iris scanning and fingerprint record both being used, on top of the security protection included in both HP and Qualcomm’s hardware.

This all sounds fairly impressive, but it’s when you team up the Elite X3 with some of its accessories, developed in tandem with the device, that HP’s newest release really shows it potential.

The Elite X3 also comes with a range of accessories that HP says can really unleash its potential.

First up is a desk dock, allowing users to link the Elite X3 to a monitor to take their work on to the big screen. Featuring connectors for USB-A, USB-C, and Ethernet, this dock is also equipped with rapid charging capabilities that make it quicker at powering up a device than normal AC connectivity.

Using the dock, work can be transferred from the Elite X3 with Microsoft’s Continuum feature, meaning users will be able to continue working on either unit seamlessly, and then take the device away with them when they go.

But taking this to the next level, HP is also releasing a ‘Mobile Extender’ (pictured below), which looks to provide users with the full work experience, without the need to secure several different products.

In effect a 12.5 inch notebook PC without the brains to operate independently, this device contains no motherboard or processor, instead acting as a more portable way to work from the phablet device whilst on the move.

Users connect either via Wi-Fi or using a USB wire, with the latter also offering the advantage of powering up the Elite X3 using shared battery life – with the extender sporting a powerful 48Wh battery.

It may seem an odd move, but HP says that having these accessories will greatly benefit business and mobile workers, meaning that they won’t need to juggle multiple devices on multiple operating systems, and cut down on the number of devices needing to be secured by IT departments.

HP is not divulging any information on pricing yet, just saying that the Elite X3 will be competitive compared to similar-spec devices, but that it will be available from the summer.

“Our customer insights indicated that there are a group of commercial customers where their needs for mobility and PC-level productivity are not being met,” said Michael Park, vice president and general manager of mobility, HP.

“The HP Elite x3 is where we see the future of computing heading – one device that can truly act like every device: a modern technology solution for a mobile-centric workplace combined with greater benefits for IT.”

HP will use its existing UK distribution network with newly added resellers to sell the device.