Verizon Wireless Blitz Review

Introduction:

The Verizon Wireless Blitz, manufactured by UTStarcom/Pantec, is a peculiar looking device targeted to kids and pre-teens as a combination phone and messaging unit.  Its primary competition comes from the Samsung Alias and the more expensive LG enV2,   as both offer a QWERTY keypad.

The retail package includes

• Blitz phone
• 920mAh battery with cover
• proprietary USB cable
• wall charger
• user manual

Design:



You can compare the Verizon Wireless Blitz with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

The external of the device is dark pearl-blue in color, and is constructed out of plastic, which is flimsy to the touch, giving it an overall “toy” appearance.  Located on the font is the large 2.2” diagonal 220x176 pixel TFT display.  It has a poor viewing angle, unless viewed at 90 degrees, and is almost dark while in sunlight.  The enV2 does not suffer from these issues as much.  Directly below it is the d-pad, which is smaller than most, but we were still able to navigate the menus without problem.  On either side of the phone are the volume rocker, 2.5mm headset jack, dedicated music and camera button, charging port, and microSD card with support up to 4GB.


Being that this is a messaging device, the hidden QWERTY keypad slides out from underneath the main display, containing four rows of keys, which are slightly curved on the ends.  They are black plastic, with white letters and blue numbers and symbols.  The backlight is not bright as we would like, but still easy to see in dark conditions.  Since the Blitz is not a PDA, your are limited to sending and receiving standard Text and Picture Messages or Mobile IM out of the box.  While composing a text message, we found the buttons to be tiny and cramped together, similar to the Alias, thus causing several typing errors to be made.  It would be less troublesome for a kid with smaller fingers to use, as this is whom the device is designed for.  Regardless, the keyboard on the Blitz and Alias leave a lot to be desired, as they are not as large and spread-out as the one found on the enV2.