Pantech Impact P7000 Review

Introduction:

Sometimes it’s difficult trying to go about a new way of designing a phone without being considered too one sided with a specific form factor. Fortunately for Pantech, it seems like they are always reinventing themselves with each handset they put out – but they do focus on the texting crowd mostly. The Pantech Impact P7000 brings forth the side-opening clamshell form factor with a unique twist in its touch-sensitive keypad and OLED display – all the while packing a QWERTY keyboard. Sure its exterior looks like it can attract prying eyes, but does it have what it takes to be a usable texting device?

The package contains:
•    Pantech Impact
•    Charger
•    User Guide
•    Quick Start Guide

Design:

We’re glad to see Pantech steering away from the traditional mold with the Impact – it’s refreshing to see a clamshell handset that takes a slightly different approach. Being a considerably hefty looking phone by itself from afar, you’ll see its inclusion of a QWERTY make it seem a bit more tolerable. We like how the plastic blue material, which does attract smudges, mixes well with the subtle chrome border that outlines the phone. There’s even a nice looking textured pattern surrounding the nearly dark face of the phone. Corners are rounded and the slick touch of the material hugs your hand with ease. Construction feels solid with the accompanying weight of the phone (4.49 oz). Almost bearing an overall size similar to the LG enV3, there’s no problem tucking it away in your pockets except for the slight bulge it may make.
 


You can compare the Pantech Impact P7000 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

The first and foremost thing to catch your eye when you power on the device is its miniscule 1.5” OLED display with its trance like blue color tones – displaying the time, date, and status of the phone. Luckily it’s bright enough to see in almost any lighting condition, including in direct sunlight, with clarity being of no issue at all viewing angles. Even the completely touch sensitive buttons below the screen come to life – it gives of that TRON look from a distance. Undoubtedly some may despise the use of touch sensitive buttons, but we liked the responsiveness of it and the accompanied haptic feedback. The microSD slot is tucked away under a plastic flap located on the bottom edge while the proprietary charging port is found on the top. The 2-megapixel camera is solely located on the rear, while removing the plastic back cover gives you access to the battery and SIM card slot.




The uniformity of the handset is intact when you open it up to reveal the QWERTY keyboard and 2.6” LCD screen which has a resolution of 400x240 and support for 262k colors. If you considered the external OLED screen cool, then you’ll be impressed like us with the amount of detail and luscious colors that jump out. The speaker phone is found on both sides of the display and underneath the reflective surface of the screen. Unlike the Pantech Reveal’s tiny buttons of the QWERTY, the Impact’s keys are well sized for anyone to feel out without making mistakes whenever speed typing. We even found the placement of the circular directional pad to be appropriate and easily accessed with the right thumb. Buttons on the QWERTY are close to one another, somewhat flush to the surface, and stiff feeling at first. We’re happy to say that heavy text messengers will like the usability of the QWERTY.