Pantech Slate (AT&T)
Manufacturer: Pantech & Curitel Part number: 3050240
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Pantech Slate is a simple messaging phone with an attractive, yet functional, design.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Pantech Slate (AT&T) price range: $99.99
- Reviewed by: Nicole Lee
- Reviewed on: 11/05/2008
- Released on: 11/05/2008
The good: The Pantech Slate is a slim messaging phone with a great QWERTY keyboard for text messaging. It also has a 1.3-megapixel camera and a nice display.
The bad: The Pantech Slate suffers a little with photo quality and does not have 3G.
The bottom line: The Pantech Slate is a simple messaging phone with an attractive, yet functional, design.
Most of Pantech's messaging phones have been of the high-end variety. The Pantech Duo is a smartphone, the Helio Ocean is as close to a smartphone as you can get without having a third-party operating system, and the Pantech Matrix has HSDPA speed, along with multimedia features like a megapixel camera and a music player. The Pantech Slate, on the other hand, is fairly slim as far as features go, with only a 1.3-megapixel camera and Bluetooth as its main capabilities. It's also pretty slim design-wise, too--Pantech claims the Slate is the world's thinnest messaging phone, for however much that's worth. The Slate is available from AT&T for $49.99 after a two-year service agreement and a mail-in rebate.
Design
At first glance, the Pantech Slate looks like a fancier version of the Peek or a slimmer, lower-end version of a BlackBerry. Measuring 4.2 inches long by 2.5 inches wide by 0.39 inch thick, the Slate claims to be the thinnest messaging phone in the world at the time of its release, and since it certainly is thin and lightweight, we'll take Pantech at its word. We like the Slate's slightly reflective display on the front, as well as the textured, faux-leather backing that gives it an extra grip.
The navigation array sits underneath the display, and consists of two soft keys, a square navigation toggle with middle confirmation key, a dedicated speakerphone key, a Clear key, and the Send and End/power keys. The entire middle square toggle is curved and raised above the surface of the phone. The rest of the keys have alternating bumps going down either the left or right side. We liked this arrangement since it provides texture and makes for easier navigation. The square toggle also doubles as shortcuts to a new text message, the instant messenger, the contacts list, and mobile e-mail. The middle confirmation key is a shortcut to the Web browser when the phone is on standby.
Underneath the navigation array is the full QWERTY keyboard. The keyboard felt quite roomy, and we love how bubblelike the keys felt--they were all raised above the surface of the phone, which allowed for easy texting and dialing. The keyboard has the typical function and shift keys and a dedicated key for the messaging in-box.
On the left side is a volume rocker, which also doubles as a jog dial/side key for navigating the menu and for scrolling through messages. The headset/charger jack is on top, while the camera key is on the right spine. On the back is the camera lens and external speaker--there is no self-portrait mirror, however.
Features
The Pantech Slate is slim on features as well as design, but that doesn't mean it won't please most people, especially if all you care about is texting and simple e-mail. The Slate has a simple 600-entry phone book, with room in each entry for three numbers, two e-mail addresses, and a note. You can choose to organize your contacts by caller groups, and pair them with a photo or one of 10 polyphonic ring tones for caller ID. Other essentials include a vibrate mode, a speakerphone, text and multimedia messaging, an alarm clock, a calendar, a notepad, a voice-memo recorder, a calculator, a stop watch, and a unit converter. More advanced users will appreciate the wireless Web browser, Bluetooth, mobile e-mail (support for Yahoo, AOL, AIM, Windows Live, AT&T Yahoo and BellSouth accounts), instant messaging (AIM, Windows Live, and Yahoo Messenger), and support for MP3 ringtones.
The Pantech Slate comes with a 1.3-megapixel camera, which can take pictures in six resolutions (1,280x960, 1,024x768, 800x600, 640x480, 320x240, and 220x176), and three image-quality settings. Other camera options include five color effects, five white balance presets, multishot, a self-timer, and a shutter sound toggle. Photo quality was decent for a 1.3-megapixel camera; images didn't appear blurry and looked quite sharp. However, colors looked muted and images had an overcast quality to them. There's also a built-in camcorder. You can record videos in two resolutions (176x144 and 128x96), two quality settings, and in two different lengths: a short one for multimedia messages and a longer one for storage. The Slate comes with only 20MB of internal memory, so you'll have to use your photo and video storage wisely.
You can customize the Pantech Slate with graphics and sounds for personalizing the phone's wallpaper and alert tones. The Slate comes with games and applications like Sims 2, Brain Challenge Volume 2, Ms. Pac-Man, WSOP Pro Challenge Poker, Mobile Banking, My-Cast Weather, WikiMobile, and Yellowpages.com. If you want more images, sounds, games, and applications, you can download them via AT&T's Media Mall store directly from the phone.
Performance
We tested the quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) Pantech Slate in San Francisco using AT&T's service. We were mostly satisfied with the call quality. The signal was strong and clear, and callers could hear us just fine. Similarly, we could hear our callers loud and clear as well. However, we were sometimes plagued by the occasional static and crackling noises, so it's not perfect. On their end, callers said our voice sounded clear, but just a tad machinelike. We passed automated-calling systems with flying colors.
Speakerphone quality was decent, if somewhat distorted. Callers could hear us fine over speakerphone, but we thought they sounded a little tinny. We managed to pair the Pantech Slate with the Aliph Jawbone 2 and Bluetooth headset calls went fine.
The Slate has a rated battery life of 3 hours talk time and 10 days standby time. Our tests showed a talk time of 3 hours 21 minutes. According to FCC radiation tests, the Slate has a digital SAR rating of 1.24 watts per kilogram.
User reviews
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Outstanding phone that is "just a phone"
by damoisture on November 13, 2008
Pros: Very slick looking phone, keys are well spread out. Display is bright and crisp. Default font settings are plenty big and easy to read. Callers are loud enough, unlike a previous Pantech phone. Menus are easy to figure out. Very light.
Cons: Held Backspace key will delete entire message without warning. The action on the keys is not very crisp, sometimes you get a double key-press.Battery life isn't that great, but I'm coming from a smartphone, anything over a day or so is great for me!
Summary: This phone is exactly what I wanted. It makes voice calls, is great for text messages, and has an alarm clock. It is not an iPhone, it is not a ...
Summary: This phone is exactly what I wanted. It makes voice calls, is great for text messages, and has an alarm clock. It is not an iPhone, it is not a smartphone, it is not a digital camera. I'm guessing some of the negative reviews come from people who did not have an educated sales rep, or did not take the time to do the research themselves. This phone is a fraction of an inch taller and wider than my 8525, but it is so thin and light that I sometimes forget that it is in my pocket! The screen is nice and bright, very easy to read. Even without all the features of some of its competitors, it has plenty of useful features and add-ons. It's Internet capabilities are limited but functional, use Google SMS for faster results.
The battery life on this phone is awesome. I think we as a collective user are used to phones having little battery left when there is just one bar displayed; this phone, however, has a very usable "one-bar" state. In fact, mine has been blinking "battery is almost empty" at me for over 12 hours, and that has lasted through a 5 minute voice call, a dozen or so text messages, and some internet browsing I did on purpose to drain the battery. It received a full charge last Thursday night (5 days ago). I did do my best to recharge it all the way and discharge it most of the way the first few times, so that may have helped. In short, battery life is awesome!
Overall, if you know all you need is a phone that is "just a phone", that makes voice calls and is good for texting, than this should suit you just fine.
Updated on Dec 8, 2008
Still very happy with the phone after a month, it does everything I need it to do. It is also a fairly unique phone and it looks good, so people are always asking about it.
If you're considering this phone, give it a shot; you shan't be disappointed.6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great for messaging!
by noni20 on January 27, 2009
Pros: Feels nice in the hand, solid keyboard, easy to navigate menus, nice clear display, good sharp images, excellent camera for 1.3 megapixels, easy to customize, looks sharp, good battery life.
Cons: G-Mail not supported, not satisfactory for navigating the web, display screen scratches very easily.
Summary: I LOVE my Pantech Slate because it does exactly what I want it to do: it makes and receives calls, and is great for texting. I think any disappointment comes ...
Summary: I LOVE my Pantech Slate because it does exactly what I want it to do: it makes and receives calls, and is great for texting. I think any disappointment comes from those who expect the Slate to be a smart phone, which it certainly is not, though it bears a vague resemblance to a BlackBerry. For what it is, it is superb. If what you want is a phone primarily for texting, you can't go wrong with this one!
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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great basic messaging phone!
by debhaz on November 9, 2008
Pros: Love the slim design, raised keyboard and ease of use.
Cons: Limited ring tone features
Summary: I like this simple phone so much that I bought two - one for my teenage daughter and one for myself. This phone is perfect for calls and text messaging. ...
Summary: I like this simple phone so much that I bought two - one for my teenage daughter and one for myself. This phone is perfect for calls and text messaging. It looks good, is user friendly for the technically challenged, the price is right and there's no obligation to purchase a data or messaging package.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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great basic phone with extraordinary usage and looks
by mmehrpour on January 3, 2009
Pros: Free package bundle phone, bluetooth, and car charger
great qwerty layout
easy to use
aim and yahoo messenger
good enough camera
very clear talking!Cons: demo games..lol
nothing so farSummary: For the fact I got this phone, along with a bluetooth headset and car charger for free I can not complain. The phone itself is great. The qwerty layout is ...
Summary: For the fact I got this phone, along with a bluetooth headset and car charger for free I can not complain. The phone itself is great. The qwerty layout is good and the buttons are not to small nor too big. The talk quality rally surprised me./ The speakerphone is crisp and clear and the overall looks of the phone is great. I just got this phoen fro about a week and been having a blast with it. Great phone for those that just want to text their brains out and not wanting to deal with other high tech stuff. ;)
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best Pantech Ever
by patrick61647 on January 2, 2009
Pros: Slim Design, Qwerty Keyboard, Nice Style, Big Screen, Price
Cons: Bad Battery
Summary: Best Pantech ever for the price it has all teh features that you need and more
Summary: Best Pantech ever for the price it has all teh features that you need and more
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Texting Phone!
by falennonn on January 2, 2009
Pros: sleek design; great for texting; versatile
Cons: camera could be better (but in the grand scheme of things, i'm not complaining)
Summary: if you're a big texter like i am and want a phone that's affordable, this is the way to go. the display and everything is awesome. not to ...
Summary: if you're a big texter like i am and want a phone that's affordable, this is the way to go. the display and everything is awesome. not to mention texting is a breeze--the buttons sit up a little to make even those with big thumbs able to text quickly. i haven't had any problems hearing people or vice versa when on the phone. and the speaker phone is loud enough to hear from a ways away.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Next step for a person going from "just a cell phone"
by westcoastcop on December 30, 2008
Pros: Easy to use right out of the box. Impressive quality and feature list, not daunting to use, plenty enough to keep you happy.
Cons: I havent found any drawbacks at all, none yet!
Summary: Slimmer than slim, easy to use, great sound quality and clear reception. Nice size full color screen, one of the better "easy to use" navigation feature allows you to easily ...
Summary: Slimmer than slim, easy to use, great sound quality and clear reception. Nice size full color screen, one of the better "easy to use" navigation feature allows you to easily access all the phones many menu's. Picture taking is a breeze too.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Full Key board, not a touch screen, exactly what i need
by xxsami723xx on December 5, 2008
Pros: Full QWERTY keyboard
Not a touch screen
Sleek DesignCons: Blue and Black is the only color it comes in
Summary: When i went phone shopping i was looking for a phone that was cool and modern looking, something that kinda looked like a blackberry but wasnt a blackberry (since i ...
Summary: When i went phone shopping i was looking for a phone that was cool and modern looking, something that kinda looked like a blackberry but wasnt a blackberry (since i hate them) This phone was perfect for someone who just wants their phone for calling and texting. They offer internet as well, but thats what i have a computer for. After browsing through every carrier this phone was the right fit, and at a low cost as well only $49.99.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Lightweight, not flimsy, great keyboard, good display
by brandib88 on November 30, 2008
Pros: The keyboard is really easy to use, the camera is only 1.3 MP but takes surprisingly good pictures. I love how it handles and that the back is made so that you can grip. The volume goes up ridiculously loud! (If you want it too...)
Cons: Says that it has different "themes", but they are is just different colors highlighted the words as you scroll. AT&T puts their logo right in the middle of the display on the main screen, and the clock is up in the right corner. You can't move it.
Summary: I've only had this phone a couple day so I don't know about durability very much, but just past experience I think this phone could handle a lot. ...
Summary: I've only had this phone a couple day so I don't know about durability very much, but just past experience I think this phone could handle a lot. It grips very well and fits comfortable in one hand, two hands, or to your ear. I can't get over how clear the display is on the screen. You can choose between two fonts, which is pretty neat. There are shortcut keys just like on other phones to quickly jump to messaging, etc. There is even a separate shortcut key to bring you to the calendar. I haven't yet figured out how to change the shortcut keys because the phone navigates a bit differently than most other phones. The two main buttons, 'Options' on the left and 'Menu' on the right are a little confusing. Options takes you to a list of even more shortcuts, and they have unassigned shortcut keys at the bottom so that you can add more. Really not much to complain about so far, I really think I'm going to like this phone.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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DO NOT GET THIS PHONE
by Legalgal411 on January 19, 2009
Pros: it has a full key board
Cons: IT DOES NOT WORK.... I have had 2 new phones in 1 month
Summary: We got this phone on 12/6/08 for our daughter for Christmas. it was unde our tree from the 6th until Christmas day. She used the phone less than ...
Summary: We got this phone on 12/6/08 for our daughter for Christmas. it was unde our tree from the 6th until Christmas day. She used the phone less than 10days before it QUIT !!!! I took the phone back to AT&T before the 30 day period had run out. The sales man Fred replaced the phone. that was 1-4-09. Last night I get the news that the phone was NOT WORKING AGAIN !!!!!!!. So now we have to ship it back and wait for a replacement.... Sometime in the next 10 DAYS.... Don't BUY IT.....
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Pantech & Curitel
- Part number: 3050240
- Description: The world's thinnest messaging device has arrived. The Pantech Slate, at a depth of less than one centimeter, offers a sleek design with full QWERTY keypad and a bevy of other features. It's your messaging mate, complete with full text, multimedia, email, and instant messaging, all on a 2.2" LCD screen. Slate also packs a digital camera, video recorder, MEdia Net, and Bluetooth capability. Pantech Slate is super thin, even for skinny jeans.
General
- Product Type Cellular phone With digital camera
- Service Provider AT&T
- Width 2.5 in
- Depth 0.4 in
- Height 4.2 in
- Weight 3.2 oz
Cellular
- Technology GSM
- Band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quadband)
- Phone Design Candy bar
- Antenna Internal
- Vibrating Alert Yes
- Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Call Timer Yes
- Conference Call Capability Yes
- Voice Recorder Yes
- Caller ID Yes
- Speakerphone Yes
- Wireless Interface Bluetooth 1.2
- Additional Features Intelligent typing (T9), LCD screen, USB, Speakerphone
Communicator Features
- User Memory 20 MB
Messaging & Data Services
- Short Messaging Service (SMS) Yes
- Messaging Services Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger Service (AIM)
- Mobile Email Yes
- GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Yes
- EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates For Global Evolution) Yes - Class 10
- Internet Browser Yes
- Messaging / Data Features Text messages, Multimedia messages (MMS), Instant messages, E-Mail
Ring Tones
- Ring Tone Formats MP3, MIDI
Digital Camera
- Sensor Resolution 1.3 megapixels
- Digital Zoom 2
Organizer
- Alarm Clock Yes
- Calendar Yes
- Reminder Yes
- Calculator Basic
Display
- Type LCD display
- Technology TFT
- Display Resolution 176 x 220 pixels
- Diagonal Size 2.2 in
- Color Support Color
- Color Depth 18-bit (262000 Colors)
- Features Wallpaper, Screensaver
Memory
- Internal Shared Memory Yes
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Battery, desktop charger, Parental controls insert
Power
- Type Power adapter
Battery
- Technology - Lithium ion
- Capacity 930 mAh
- Talk Time Up to 180 min
- Standby Time Up to 240 h
Manufacturer info
- Pantech & Curitel
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Pantech & Curitel products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.pantech.com/
- Address:
11240 Warland Dr., Cypress, CA 90630
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