What would a week of “Smartphones Now” be without a review of a smartphone? A terrible one, I’m sure. So what are we going to look at today? The Duo from Pantech for AT&T. Not exactly the hottest smartphone on the market, but it does have a few qualities that are quite endearing. I’m also jaded and hate all phones to begin with. Heh. That’s not entirely true. I just hate the iPhone. That one’s for you, dwalk.
The most significant feature of the Duo is its dual slider design, which it borrows from its bigger brother over at Helio, the Ocean. The main difference and unfortunately the biggest pitfall for the Duo is the lack of spring assist for the QWERTY. You see, the Ocean has spring assist in both directions. You may not think it’s necessary but it is. Sliding the Duo to get to the QWERTY is painful and gritty. Of course, if you’ve never touched the Ocean then you wouldn’t know any different. It’s something you can get used to, though.
The keyboard itself has its pros and cons. The overall size of the Duo is rather small so the keyboard is a bit condensed. The numbers are like that of a BB. You have to hit function button, which is tedious but as I said, the Duo is small and if you want a small device then you’ll just have to deal with it. I’m not a fan of the keyboard itself, though. It’s entirely too flush for me. You don’t know what keys you’re hitting unless you’re looking at it and even then it’s a chore. The dividers are entirely way too thick and the buttons are way too small. It may be better suited for a lady with dainty hands then a big burly guy and his meat hooks.
The 1.3-megapixel camera with 4x zoom is ok, but you won’t really be getting any shots worth framing. The video cam is so so, but it does that weird vibration when you move it around too fast. Check the video and picture for yourself.
The music player was fine and it has stereo Bluetooth, but you’re using AT&T’s music services so it kind of blows. As does the video service. It supports Telenav maps and navigator, which is a nice touch in case you’re prone to getting lost.
Being a 3G/HSDPA handset is in and of itself a big seller, but the overall design of the Duo is bit low budget for my taste. It has a cheap-y plastic feel to it. Call quality was superb, though. Download speeds were wicked fast. It runs WinMo 6 so you love it or hate it. Talk time was actually pretty good edging over the rated 3 hours at over 4 hours. If you want a smartphone running WinMo that’s small and on AT&T then the Duo isn’t a bad choice. It’s available now for $200.
iPhone is better.
NOW GIVE ME MY DAMN FREE EARBUDS!
http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/12/21/ultimate-ears-superfi-4vi-the-review-and-the-giveaway-yes-that-means-free-stuff/
I know this is supposed to be like the GSM ocean, but man it is just hideous. Plus the spring loaded sliding mechanism is such a sweet part of the dual sliding action its weird they didnt put it in here.
Im not even touching the WinMo part.. :D
Seems like a pretty bad design flaw to have those keys recessed. I don’t know if I agree with you guys about the importance of a spring assisted slider mechanism. I used to have a Cingular 8125 that didn’t have it, and it worked just fine for me.
It’s just like anything else, Eric. Once you have it, you don’t ever wanna go back to something that doesn’t have it.
I can’t tell how thick it is It was the iPhone’s thinness that really won me over. You know, besides how fucking awesome it was.
The OCEAN is a better pick!!!
I think so too…
I like the design of the Helio Ocean much better than that of the Pantech Duo…Is there any way that i can get the Ocean with an AT&T plan?????
geez people, i have this phone and i love it!!! it’s so easy to use for texting!!!
i have this phone, and i love the querty board it has! youre right, its easy to use for ppl with small hands! but yeah, i don’t think it was worth what i paid for it.
ya i have this phone and it really is a great phone and i had the iphone and i really didnt like it when i had it i was always excited on the updates hoping that it would make the phone btter now i got rid of it and i ordered this phone yesterday my friend garrett has this phone and he will only let me touch it because i’m getting one i cant wait until it comes in the mail tommorow
I HATE this phone!Its such crap!It dosen’teven work anymore i went back to my standard nokia brick phone. THE duo IS CRAP!!
This phone looks very similar to the phone I just got today: pantech matrix: there are some differences in the main button layout but the main design is very closely related.
maldita sea yo kiero ese celular ozh¡¡
the pantech is the wooorst phone i ever had.
it freezes and now when ever i press a button near the z key it comes up as if i pressed z…..
i cant stand it…thank gosh my contract is up now i am getting the samsung eternity…i heard so many better reviews for this phone.
if your thinking of getting it reconsider…..the phone is more expensive than what its worth…
i own the pantech duo and it is CRAP!
it vibrates at random times it freezes up regularly and it just turns off whenevr it wants to, i hav to take the battery out in order 2turn the fone back on.
i love the design of the pantech duo but the phone is CRAP. do not get this fone. i want to replace it with the pantech matrix which is the newer version of the pantech duo. pantech duo is CRAP do not get it, u will not be satisfied.
I have, however, seen it in members of my own family. ,