14 replies to this topic

[nickcornaglia]

Remember when Windows Standard Phones...better known as Windows Smartphones were the cat's pajamas amongst Windows Mobile users? Then everyone wanted touchscreen devices again and we Smartphone fans were left in the lurch!

HTC forgot about us. i-mate couldn't help us anymore (but that may change). Motorola said bye-bye to Smartphones or so I've read. Samsung has slowed showing new devices. In any case...Smartphones are few and far between.

But our hopeful white knight of WinMo Smartphones, Pantech, hasn't forgotten that everyone doesn't exactly want or need a touchscreen device. That you can have a powerful messaging/internet/pim/music/gaming/photo/video/more device without needing to smudge up your screen with fingerprints, pull out a stylus, or take your gloves off. (as long as they are really good fitting gloves).

INTRODUCING THE PANTECH MATRIX PRO (Windows Mobile Smartphone)...Available through AT&T!

The Pantech Matrix Pro is a dual-slider updated version of the Pantech Duo, and the PRO version of their similarly styled non-smartphone, messenger phone, The Pantech Matrix. (<-- Mobiholics Review).

Compared to it's older Smartphone cousin, the Duo, The Matrix PRO boasts many upgrades including:
- Windows Mobile 6.1
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA
- Frequency: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (GSM/GPRS/EDGE); 850/1900/2100 MHz (UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA)
- Upgraded Memory: Memory: 256 MB ROM and 128 MB RAM
- aGPS
- BEAUTIFUL QVGA screen (320 x 240)
- 2MP Camera

Full Specs and Details can be found HERE

PRICING: $379.99 Off-Contract - $179.99 with 2yr Contract & Rebate....Available NOW!

The Pantech folks were kind enough to lend us a phone for review. And REVIEW we will. But in the meantime, if you have any questions...please feel free to ask them here. Also...enjoy a quick unboxing video I put together. (You can tell...I'm not a fan of unboxing videos! This is more representative of my true unboxing experiences.)

[nickcornaglia]

First thoughts....
Looks are okay. I like them. Has a Sony-like feel. Much better looking than the original...thats for sure!
Screen is BEAUTIFUL looking. So clear and bright.
They still have their stupid proprietary sync/charge/headset jack. Though headpones are not included...they have kindly  included an adaptor.
Phone is still thick and kind of heavy for a smaller device.
Keyboard is much nicer than the regular Matrix phone I think.
No cool apps....quite a few demos included....including Guitar Hero. Just like buying a Dell!
AT&T loves their java based programs for some reason. I hate them. There are programs written for the OS ya know!

But I digress...

[PaulOBrien]

lol @ slightly random 'unboxing'...



P

[awarner]

Wonder if it will hit the UK and at what price?

[nickcornaglia]

Speaking of which...forgot to add the pricing. And it popped up on their page today.

PRICING: $379.99 Off-Contract - $179.99 with 2yr Contract & Rebate....Available NOW!

[Exodia]

Best unboxing vid ive ever seen! LMAO  

[DarkWanderer]

When I saw this just now I thought "great, when can I get one in the UK?"  Then I read the bit about it using a proprietary sync/charge socket.  That put me off right away since I use a QTek 8500 (HTC StrTrk) with it's custom socket which is a real pain (especially since they no longer make the mini usb adapter  for them).  Why do companies do this?  Why not just stick to miniusb? It's so irritating having to carry multiple chargers/cables around.

[Wayne877]

- Windows Mobile 6.1
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA
- Frequency: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (GSM/GPRS/EDGE); 850/1900/2100 MHz (UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA)
- Upgraded Memory: Memory: 256 MB ROM and 128 MB RAM
- aGPS
- BEAUTIFUL QVGA screen (320 x 240)
- 2MP Camera


Any idea what the screen size is?

[nickcornaglia]

DarkWanderer, on Feb 25 2009, 05:51, said:

When I saw this just now I thought "great, when can I get one in the UK?"  Then I read the bit about it using a proprietary sync/charge socket.  That put me off right away since I use a QTek 8500 (HTC StrTrk) with it's custom socket which is a real pain (especially since they no longer make the mini usb adapter  for them).  Why do companies do this?  Why not just stick to miniusb? It's so irritating having to carry multiple chargers/cables around.

Personally hate all proprietary plugs myself. They DID make this a hair better in that they included an adapter so you can use 3.5mm Headphones. Hopefully, with the news of many phone makers standardizing to microUSB...this will be a thing of the past.

[nickcornaglia]

Wayne877, on Feb 25 2009, 06:15, said:

- Windows Mobile 6.1
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA
- Frequency: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (GSM/GPRS/EDGE); 850/1900/2100 MHz (UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA)
- Upgraded Memory: Memory: 256 MB ROM and 128 MB RAM
- aGPS
- BEAUTIFUL QVGA screen (320 x 240)
- 2MP Camera
Any idea what the screen size is?

Measures out at 2.375" diagonal visible area.

[nickcornaglia]

awarner (MVP), on Feb 24 2009, 05:56, said:

Wonder if it will hit the UK and at what price?

Bit off topic Ash, but your site is missing a few devices from 2006-2009!

[Alex (nedge2k)]

Nick, can you find out if the off-contract device is unlocked? Once the exchange rate recovers, $380 will be tempting

[nickcornaglia]

Alex (nedge2k), on Feb 27 2009, 04:01, said:

Nick, can you find out if the off-contract device is unlocked? Once the exchange rate recovers, $380 will be tempting

From experience with AT&T, they will unlock the phone with a simple phone call, but sometimes could take a few days to receive the code. I doubt it will be sold pre-unlocked out of the box. But I could still call and check.

[EricaJ1073]

encece, on Mar 1 2009, 12:08, said:

From experience with AT&T, they will unlock the phone with a simple phone call, but sometimes could take a few days to receive the code. I doubt it will be sold pre-unlocked out of the box. But I could still call and check.

First post here. Looking to get this phone on AT&T in the US. However, when I asked if the OS was upgradable on the AT&T forum, I got negative replies about the OS. Is it true that it WILL NOT be upgradable to anything beyond what it comes with??? If not, can someone give some advice on what phone will meet the following requirements? I'm looking to switch from T-Mobile US to a different carrier.

Dual or Single Slider Keyboard
WM 6.1>6.5 or 7.0 Upgradability
Battery Life
Memory (On-Board and MicroSDHC capacity)
Best Messaging Keyboard

Edited by EricaJ1073, 13 November 2009 - 07:47 AM.

[WMROMuser]

encece, on Feb 24 2009, 03:38, said:

Remember when Windows Standard Phones...better known as Windows Smartphones were the cat's pajamas amongst Windows Mobile users? Then everyone wanted touchscreen devices again and we Smartphone fans were left in the lurch!

HTC forgot about us. i-mate couldn't help us anymore (but that may change). Motorola said bye-bye to Smartphones or so I've read. Samsung has slowed showing new devices. In any case...Smartphones are few and far between.

But our hopeful white knight of WinMo Smartphones, Pantech, hasn't forgotten that everyone doesn't exactly want or need a touchscreen device. That you can have a powerful messaging/internet/pim/music/gaming/photo/video/more device without needing to smudge up your screen with fingerprints, pull out a stylus, or take your gloves off. (as long as they are really good fitting gloves).

INTRODUCING THE PANTECH MATRIX PRO (Windows Mobile Smartphone)...Available through AT&T!

The Pantech Matrix Pro is a dual-slider updated version of the Pantech Duo, and the PRO version of their similarly styled non-smartphone, messenger phone, The Pantech Matrix. (<-- Mobiholics Review).

Compared to it's older Smartphone cousin, the Duo, The Matrix PRO boasts many upgrades including:
- Windows Mobile 6.1
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA
- Frequency: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (GSM/GPRS/EDGE); 850/1900/2100 MHz (UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA)
- Upgraded Memory: Memory: 256 MB ROM and 128 MB RAM
- aGPS
- BEAUTIFUL QVGA screen (320 x 240)
- 2MP Camera

Full Specs and Details can be found HERE

PRICING: $379.99 Off-Contract - $179.99 with 2yr Contract & Rebate....Available NOW!

The Pantech folks were kind enough to lend us a phone for review. And REVIEW we will. But in the meantime, if you have any questions...please feel free to ask them here. Also...enjoy a quick unboxing video I put together. (You can tell...I'm not a fan of unboxing videos! This is more representative of my true unboxing experiences.)

<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.c...></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.c...=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center>

Anyone have any custom ROMs for this phone?