- Ultra-thin messaging-centric phone with full QWERTY keyboard and 2.2-inch screen–full range of messaging options, including email, IM, text, and MMS
- Built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and Internet surfing; EDGE data connectivity
- 1.3-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth for handsfree devices; 20 MB of internal memory
- Up to 3.0 hours of talk time, up to 240 hours (10 days) of standby time
- Includes: handset, battery, travel charger, Quick Start guide, user manual
Amazon.com Product Description
Designed to make messaging faster and easier than ever before, the Pantech Slate messaging-focused phone is great for everyone from newbie messengers to textaholics to send text, picture, video and instant messages with ease. This affordable phone is the world’s thinnest device with a full QWERTY keypad (at 0.39 inches), and it boasts a large 2.2-inch LCD screen. Surf the internet with AT&T’s MEdia Net service and download MP3 ringtones, graphics and games. Other features include a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth for handfree devices, access to instant messaging via popular services, EDGE network data connectivity, and up to 3 hours of talk time.
The full QWERTY keypad makes it easy to send text, picture, video and instant messages. |
AT&T Service
This phone operates on GSM 850/1900 MHz networks and can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T’s EDGE network (which stands for “Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution”), with availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.
The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T’s MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more (requires additional service subscription).
It’s also pre-loaded with AT&T’s Mobile Banking application, which is compatible with accounts from banks including Wachovia, SunTrust, Synovus, and BancorpSouth. Mobile Banking from AT&T affords you the flexibility to stay on top of your banking needs while you’re on the move, enabling you to check your account balance, securely transfer funds between your eligible accounts, view and pay bills, and review your transaction history. AT&T customers pay no additional fee to access mobile banking and, because the application resides on the handset, the service is optimized to reduce the number of new page views necessary to complete a transaction. Minimal data usage charges apply and vary based on individual use.
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Phone Features
The Pantech Slate has a 2.2-inch LCD screen with a 220 x 176-pixel resolution and a 262K color depth. It sits above a square five-way navigation pad that’s surrounded by send/end keys, two soft navigation keys, and a dedicated speakerphone key. Pressing the middle toggle button on the navigator acts as a shortcut to the web browser when the phone is on standby. The full QWERTY keyboard features raised, bubble-like keys for easy typing, and it includes a dedicated key for access your email box. The phone is limited to 20 MB of internal memory (with no expansion slot), and it can store up to 600 contact entries in its phonebook with room for storing three numbers and two email addresses per entry as well as support for picture/ringer ID and caller groups.
The 1.3-megapixel camera can capture still images in six resolutions (1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, 640 x 480, 320 x 240, and 220 x 176 pixels) and offers three image quality settings. It also features a 2x digital zoom, multi-shot capabilities, white balance settings, a self-timer, and ability to turn off the shutter sound. The phone can also capture video clips in two resolutions (176 x 144 and 128 x 96 pixels) in two different lengths–short for sending via MMS messaging or long for showing to friends later.
Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 1.2), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. You can connect your laptop via Bluetooth and enjoy dial-up networking–surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server.
The Slate offers a full range of email, text, and multimedia messaging options. It includes support for mobile email from AOL, Yahoo!, and Windows Live, as well as access to instant messaging via those services.
Other features include:
- Personalize with downloadable music ringtones, games, graphics and applications
- Preloaded games include Ms. Pac Man
- 10 unique ringtones with vibrate and silent modes
- Organizer tools: Alarm clock, calendar, notepad, voice memo, calculator, stop watch, unit converter
- Hearing Aid Compatibility: M3/T3
Vital Statistics
The Pantech Slate weighs 3.2 ounces and measures 4.2 x 2.5 x 0.39 inches. Its 930 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of talk time, and up to 240 hours (10 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.
Pantech Slate C530 Phone, Black/Blue
I was so disappointed with this phone, I cancelled my service plan and got a Blackberry.
This ain’t a smart phone, not even close. Because it’s not 3G, the internet browser is extremely limited and I had lots of problems with either it crashing or files were too big for it to download.
I also had problems with connection to my email.
I complained and complained to AT&T and they just gave me a hard time. I lasted 3 months before I went out and got my Blackberry Curve. Night and Day.
The C530 tries to look like a Blackberry to lure idiots like me….but there are so many limitations, it was a huge mistake on my part.
Plus, it limits your email to a certain amount of text and then it just runs out….I often had to send 2-3 emails to finish.
On the other hand, it has more character texting ability than the Blackberry; but hardly worth it.
Don’t buy this phone, get the Blackberry instead.
Rating: 2 / 5
I was disappointed in this phone for a number of reasons.
1) Google maps, gmail, etc don’t work properly – for some reason, it doesn’t trust the applications due to being signed by verisign. It has a verisign cert installed, however, which doesn’t appear to work. Trying to download and install the verisign cert from the website doesn’t work either. Anyway, this means you can install the google apps but they prompt you every 2 seconds to allow an internet connection. This gets annoying, fast.
2) The hotmail app locks up frequently and the arrow keys are hard to use to navigate email.
3) The camera quality is dingy
On the plus side, the keyboard is nice and makes texting easy. That said, I still wish I’d gotten the iPhone.
Rating: 2 / 5
I had a friend express concern that she had taken a number of pictures with this phone, and wanted to get them off of the phone.
I just wanted to emphasize that there is a 20MB limit, and no expandable memory.
There is also an optional ‘USB data cable’ that doesn’t do any data, only useful as a USB charger.
If you take pictures on this phone, there isn’t a way to get them off the phone (other than emailing to someone) unelss you just delete said pictures. That makes it difficult if you take 70 pictures, and then want to get them to yourself. You would have to send 35 or more emails containing at least 2 pictures each.
There is another more high tech method involving a blutooth dongle, that may let you load data onto the phone, but as far as I can tell, cannot extract data from the phone.
There is also no way to get messages off the phone other than deletion.
That backs a number of reviews that say this is mostly just a phone, very simple. I would tend to agree, and would encourage someone to spend the extra $10 or $20 on a smarter phone which will give you the same functionality, but likely have a 2.0 megapixel camera, and two-way data with the computer so you can easily download pictures.
Rating: 2 / 5
The only two problems I have with this phone are that I can’t remove the “AT&T” logo from the center of the screen. It obstructs any wallpaper I have on my phone. And the other thing, I can’t block people from texting me through the phone, like I could with my last cell phone. Overall, it’s a great phone!
Rating: 4 / 5
I like this phone a lot. For its price, ($50 in store w/ 2 year contract) its pretty damn good. Keyboard is nice, instant messaging is priced like text messaging, and the call quality is great. The only thing i don’t like is that i get like 0 bars in some classrooms at school, but then again I’m in big buildings with a lot of floors blocking my reception. The phone has a nice calenda/planner and good enough alarm. Make sure to put your alarm on snooze in case you sleep through it. For what this phone is, its pretty damn nice and good looking
Rating: 4 / 5