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Qwerty keyboard is easy to use, buttons are pretty big, but the touch screen is way too sensitive and easy to hit the wrong number, even when set on lowest sensiivity. I did NOT want a smart phone because I don’t use a phone for dqata much and the [...] required contract for a smartphone is ridiculous. This phone doesn’t require the 2 year committment to data access. It was only [...] per month nad cancellable at any time.

But there were some problems with the phone.

Amazon is supposed to ship this phone with a new sim card. They forgot to put it in the box and when AT&T went to activate the phone, they had to deactivate my old sim, so I was stuck without any phone at all (I later found out that the phone itself had a defective sim card reader).

I eneded up at the AT&T corporate store and got a new sim card and they transferred my contacts for me. My contacts displayed very stangely and wouldn’t switch the sorting and added numbers and ‘/’ at the end of the contact name. Also, searching for a contact was impossible. The tech at AT&T didn’t even test it. It did take me over an hour in the store, it was so mobbed and honestly, the corporate people aren’t all that helpful.

Amazon overnighted a new sim card, which they told me to keep as a spare in case I ever lose the one I got from AT&T.

Update 2/7/10: After calling Pantech about the sim card problem, it turned out that the phone’s sim card reader was defective. I called Amazon again and spoke to a supervisor who went out of his way to get me a new phone in time for my move to Mexico.

The phone was replaced and shipped overnight at no charge at all.

If you find you’re having problems with a phone, call and if the first CD person doesn’t help, ask for a supervisor. I am now completely satisfied with the results of the transaction. The same phone at the AT&T store would have been 99.00, less a 50 dollar mail in rebate that would have taken weeks or months to arrrive.

As far as the Pantech Impact itself, I ended up trading it in on a different phone. The touch screen, while very ‘cool’ looking, is way too sensitivie and is inconvenient to use without opening it to use the qwerty keyboard. Once you dial that way, you then have to close the phone in order to turn off the speaker phone. I liked the Pantech Reveal much better. Simpler to use and much smaller as well.
Rating: 3 / 5

By Loving Living In Mexico on Feb 15, 2010

For those of you who want a phone to be a phone first with a few extras then this is a nice phone. However, I cannot recommend this phone until Pantech (1-800-962-8622) corrects the mistake that they have made in advertising this phone. Their web site ([...]) as well as every other web site advertising this phone including AT&T’s say’s that this phone has “Speaker-Independent Voice Commands”. IT DOES NOT HAVE THIS FEATURE. If you are like me and need true hands free system that can be used with Bluetooth or even the speaker phone this is not the phone. AT&T’s solution to this problem was to add their “Voice Dial” to my account and graciously charge me $4.99 each month to dial *8, press talk, listen to prompt, say who I want to call, listen to some more prompts. But first I have to set up a separate contact list (limit of 20) on their web site because it does not use the contact list that you set up on your phone. This is not hands free, you can dial the number faster than you can go through this process.

If you have already purchased this phone please call Pantech and insist that they give us a software update or recall this phone. AT&T should pull it from their line until the problem is fixed. I believe that false advertisement is against the law. Even if you haven’t purchased the phone still call… Don’t let Pantech and AT&T get by with this or it will only get worse.

Now for the phone itself, I really like this phone. I waited an additional two years before upgrading my phone from a Razr. So for four years the only way that I could talk was to use the speakerphone or Bluetooth because the ear piece was rotten. Call quality on this phone is excellent. It is almost like talking on a landline. With it having two stereo speakers the speakerphone is also excellent (phone has to be open to work). For you music lovers it does not have a headphone jack, you will have to use Bluetooth or an adaptor (I thought a headphone jack was standard anymore). It is a little heaver than the Razr but it fits nicely in the hand and pocket. The front of the phone has a small window and a key pad below. The numbers are easy to see and well spaced. They do have haptic feedback when pressed and you can adjust the sensitivity level and vibration strength of the keys. It does take a little bit of getting use to but it is really not too bad. You will need to get the protective film for this phone and I would also recommend a protective cover. They make a clear one.

You can enter 1,000 contacts with and with each contact you can enter 5 numbers, 2 e-mails, address, web URL and a memo if you save to phone. If you save to sim it is only 3 numbers and 1 e-mail. You can also group your contact and add a photo ID which will not show up on the front of the phone. The alarm which I find myself using for 5 min. cleanup warning in the classroom and for meds is quite loud and you can set it to repeat. You can choose from different ring tones and a single time, daily or weekend modes. The calendar works a lot like MS outlook calendar, nice. This phone also has a notepad, a voice memo recorder, a world clock, a calculator, a tip calculator, a unit converter, a stop watch, and a timer. There are 8 speed dial numbers. Remember this is not a smart phone but it is packed with organizational features. Another nice feature is that you can increase the font size and have two different font styles to pick from. This makes the phone very easy to read.

I did not purchase the phone for the camera so I will let some else speak to that. I did try it out thou and the phone has to be flipped opened to take the picture. The web interface is nice and comes up quickly and I did not experience any lag time during browsing. The screen however is a little small. But here again, I did not buy the phone for web browsing and will cancel that feature before my 30 days are up. I am not a big texter but I did find the key board easy to use. I like the toggle button better than the arrow keys even if it does take a little more room (personal taste).

If you do want to purchase the data package you can also watch TV clips or full length shows. I have it free for 30 days so I tried it out. I was very impressed; however the phone did get warm after 40 min. of use and took quite a while to cool down. I am not sure that the heat generated by this feature is good and on the thin circuit boards in these phones. I would not recommend using this feature very often not to mention the damage it is doing to your eyes. Just a thought.

I have been on the Phone with Pantech and AT&T since the 16th and the “Speaker-Independent Voice Commands” issue has not been resolved. I have talked to several people at Pantech all of which promised to call me back. I am still waiting!!! As you can tell from above I like the phone, but I want was advertised which is one of the reasons that I purchased the phone. Please help me to convince Pantech and AT&T to fix this problem and call Pantech at (1-800-962-8622).

Update, just got off the phone with Alex at Pantech and the official line is that is was a mistake on the part of the advertisers or that perhaps AT&T remove this feature during the beta testing. The bottom line is that there probably will not be an update for this phone in the near future if ever. My phone is going back and I will start the process again of trying to find a phone with voice clarity, speed dial, Speaker-Independent Voice Commands, and the productivity features that I have come to expect on a phone. Any suggestions?

Rating: 3 / 5

By coton on Feb 15, 2010

I am a Mom that learned texting out of necessity because of my texting fiend boys. Never thought I would want to upgrade phones for that express purpose, but….This phone rocks. The keyboard is so user friendly and way easier to type lengthy messages than a non Qwearky (sp) keyboard. The touch screen on the outside is nice and sensitive, does what you want. The inside screen’s “looks” are incredible, the colors, the font’s the navigation, all very, very good in my opinion. The speakerphone is amazing, better than my expensive home phone speaker capability. The Pink option, again, is something I thought I’d never want. I am 41, not 17. However, there were limited colors (some would consider this a drawback) and my son wanted blue (he loves his phone BTW, TOO!). So, asked to see the pink. I really like it. It is a pearl pink, nothing neon_y and the texture to the exterior band of pink on the outside face subdues the look further. Love the inside colors too. My son’s blue is a really neat trendy lookin blue as well. Haven’t tried all the bells and whistles yet, but look fwd to. Really, really pleased with phone use, texting, sound, coverage, battery life, add on’s available, etc.,etc. Read on another site a pretty in depth review that really only knocked the phone for the camera and video capability (and even then, not by a realy significant amount).
Rating: 5 / 5

By Paideia on Feb 15, 2010

I have three complaints with this phone. First problem – The camera you are unable to use the camera with the phone closed you must open it. Then your finger will be on the lens so it’s awkward holding the phone while taking a picture or shooting video. Second problem – if you want to listen to the mp3 player you have to buy a headset designed for this phone due to the type of input required. Third problem – the touch screen is too sensitive and difficult to use I’m constantly pressing the wrong key then have to delete and start over. I have tried adjusting key sensitivity but I believe that’s for the qwerty keyboard inside. I pretty much like everything else about the phone. It has very good, clear reception and the qwerty keyboard buttons are larger than on most blackberry models real useful for texting.
Rating: 3 / 5

By Randy White on Feb 16, 2010