Pantech Burst Review
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Although we’re not completely sold by Pantech’s customized UI that’s running on top of Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread, mainly because of its overall cartoony looking presentation, some people will obviously take a liking to it. Well, it’s actually the same thing we saw on the Pantech Pocket, which borrows some of the elements found with HTC Sense – like its useful lockscreen that provides quick access to certain apps. Beyond that, it obviously embodies all of the characteristics we love about any Android device with its deep level of personalization, but simply lacks the polish and pizzazz to come away as a memorable experience.
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Pantech’s customized UI is running on top of Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread | |||
Having been spoiled by devices with gargantuan displays of late, our fingers require some time to adjust to the Pantech Burst’s smaller footprint with its on-screen keyboards. After establishing our rhythm, we’re able to knock out passages of text with good accuracy with the stock Gingerbread and Swype keyboards. Additionally, it boasts a responsive performance to keep up with our peppy rate.
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The on-screen keyboards of Pantech Burst | |||
Similar to any other Android smartphone on the market, the Gmail experience is naturally a joy since we’re given all the depth of features found with the desktop experience – but it’s in the palm of our hands! Moreover, setup is a painless process, as it requires only our email address and password for automatic setup.
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Gmail | |
Hardly a surprise to us, the Burst is preloaded with the usual staple of AT&T’s branded applications, which consists of AT&T Code Scanner, AT&T FamilyMap, AT&T Navigator, Live TV, and myAT&T. Aside from those carrier branded apps, we’re still presented with other third party apps that include Amazon Kindle, Facebook, Twitter, Qik Lite, and YPmobile.
Processor and Memory:
Even though it’s not something we particularly expect out of a $50 on-contract smartphone, the Pantech Burst continues to impress us with its 1.2GHz dual-core processor, which blindsides us even more with the immaculate scores it’s able to achieve in various benchmark tests. In fact, we’re astounded to find it hitting the same marks as the almighty Samsung Galaxy S II with the Quadrant and AnTutu benchmark apps. Aside from the synthetic tests, we’re amazed to see it performing admirably with most basic tasks – though, we’re irked by the choppiness seen while moving between its app panel screens. Simply, it’s the fastest Pantech device we’ve had the privilege of checking out to date.
Proclaimed to carry 16GB of internal storage, it turns out to be 12.33GB out of the box, while 740MB is strictly reserved for apps. Then again, if that’s not sufficient, you can always pop in a microSD card into its available slot.
Internet and Connectivity:
No doubt it’s the most alluring thing, we’re excited to know that this budget handset offers 4G LTE connectivity – though, we’re unable to test it our since we’re not located in an area with AT&T 4G LTE. Instead, we’re simply left to using its HSPA+ connection in our area, which so happens to be sufficient for our needs. Loading up complex web site like ours in no time at all, we’re very content with the handset’s web browsing performance – even more when it runs fine with Flash content present. However, we do experience some levels of choppiness with its navigational controls every now and then, but it’s never to the point degrading enough to ruin the experience.
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Web browsing with the Pantech Burst | |||
Taking this smartphone abroad isn’t a problem considering it’s a GSM device, but strangely, we find its HSPA+ download speeds to be slower than other models. Still, it thankfully puts out upload speeds that are similar. Much like its siblings on AT&T’s lineup, the Pantech Burst features aGPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile hotspot functionality.
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11 Comments
1. kshell1 posted on 03 Feb 2012, 07:23 1
2 points away for the camera!?! like remixfa says its iphonearena
2. Paden posted on 03 Feb 2012, 11:16 0
Is anyone else disgusted by Pantechs LTE smartphone names?
Break Out & Burst.
Nasty.
9. Nathan_ingx posted on 13 Jun 2012, 08:05 0
LOL, next thing you know...there's "twilight"...and maybe even "curse"!! :D
3. Birds posted on 03 Feb 2012, 17:10 0
If i was on at&t I would get this phone but since my mom is on sprint i will settle for the Photon becasue it is the same price for a new extension at walmart. lol
5. Yankchef posted on 07 Feb 2012, 17:27 0
I wouldn't say that the photon is settling at all... Its a great phone and I would say has a lot of Pros over the burst even given that it was released 6 months ago
7. jzachary78 posted on 22 Mar 2012, 14:05 0
pls tell me how u managed to get root for this device (noticed the superuser icon in the screenshots). I've had this phone for almost 30 days now, been trying to root since day 1. And with the exception of the low-quality camera software, all in all it's fantastic.
8. TechLife11 posted on 06 Apr 2012, 20:24 0
I just got one and I've got to say its really quite a good little smartphone. It works just as well as my friends Samsung and Motorola phones. The 4G LTE is fast and the phone its self is quick, so far I think the budget company has finally hit a home run with the Burst.
10. adriannladonna posted on 04 Jul 2012, 19:20 0
I own the Pantech Burst and I have only had it for 3 weeks never dropped it or got it wet and recently it quit charging and won't turn on for me at all..So i called and because i didnt have the box they had to call Pantech directly and they are priority mailing me a new phone in the mail next day shipping, they are charging me 15.00 just to get a new phone... I believe it should have been no charge because of it being their product they looked over it thoroughly and found nothing what so ever wrong no liquid damage or any damage of any type.
11. TechLife11 posted on 20 Aug 2012, 22:20 0
Its been a few months now and the phone still works great. Its now my all in one since I use it for music now, the SQ is better than my Fuze and Cowon J3 which is just shocking to me. Paired with my FiiO E11 headphone amp and Triple Fi 10 the sound quality is outstanding. This is the best phone you can get as far as price performance goes.
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