Asus Returns to the Tablet Market with OLED Pad and Health-Centric VivoWatch 6 Plus
Table of Contents
A Strategic Pivot at Computex
For several years, Asus has largely retreated from the mobile hardware spotlight, leaving a void for enthusiasts who prized the brand’s commitment to compact form factors like the Zenfone series and the high-performance engineering of the ROG Phone. However, the company’s showcase at Computex 2026 in Taipei suggests a renewed interest in the mobile ecosystem, though not through the traditional smartphone route. The unveiling of the Asus Pad and the VivoWatch 6 Plus marks a calculated attempt to carve out a niche in the premium mid-range tablet and health-tech wearable markets.
The most significant reveal is the Asus Pad, the company’s first serious foray into the tablet space in nearly a decade. Rather than trying to out-spec the high-end Samsung Galaxy Tab S-series, Asus appears to be targeting the ‘prosumer’ who wants a premium display without the exorbitant price tag of an Ultra-tier device.
The Asus Pad: Prioritizing the Panel
The center-piece of the Asus Pad is a 12.2-inch 2.8K OLED display. What distinguishes this panel is the dual-layer architecture, a technical choice designed to push brightness levels higher while maintaining color accuracy and reducing power consumption. In an era where OLED burn-in and efficiency remain primary concerns for tablet users, this hardware shift is a direct nod to longevity and media consumption.
To complement the screen, Asus has integrated a quad-speaker array with Dolby Atmos support. Given the device’s 6.5mm thickness and 523g weight, it strikes a balance between a portable slate and a workstation. The chassis utilizes a magnesium-alloy frame paired with a fiberglass back, a material choice that ensures rigidity without adding the bulk of traditional aluminum.
Under the hood, the Asus Pad opts for the MediaTek Dimensity 8300. While not a top-tier flagship chip, the 8300 is a highly efficient performer that pairs well with the 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM. This configuration, coupled with a 9,000mAh battery and 45W fast charging, suggests a device optimized for endurance and streaming rather than heavy video editing or AAA gaming.
The package is rounded out with support for the Asus Pen 2.0 and a Bluetooth keyboard, signaling that Asus expects the Pad to be used for light productivity and creative sketching.
Health-First Wearables: The VivoWatch 6 Plus
While the tablet was a detailed reveal, the VivoWatch 6 Plus was presented more as a component of a broader ‘AI-Driven Healthcare’ vision. Asus is leaning heavily into the medicalization of wearables, moving beyond simple step counting and heart rate monitoring.
The hardware is upscale, featuring a 1.43-inch AMOLED display shielded by sapphire-crystal glass and housed in a titanium alloy case. However, the real story lies in the sensors. The VivoWatch 6 Plus introduces ECG monitoring and highly specific health metrics, including sleep breathing movement and gait analysis. The latter is particularly notable, as gait analysis is typically reserved for clinical settings to identify neurological issues or injury recovery progress.
By integrating insights into chronic disease risk and long-term health trends, Asus is positioning the VivoWatch 6 Plus as a preventative health tool rather than a fitness tracker. It arrives at a crowded moment, set to compete directly with the upcoming Google Pixel Watch 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 series.
Market Positioning and Availability
Asus has remained tight-lipped regarding pricing and a global release schedule. Given the current volatility in the global consumer electronics supply chain and the dominance of the Galaxy ecosystem, it is possible that Asus will limit the initial rollout to the Asian market before testing the waters in North America and Europe.
Whether these devices can break the Samsung-Apple duopoly remains to be seen, but the move indicates that Asus is not done with portable tech—it is simply changing the rules of the game.
