A Trio of Gripes with the Duo (1/3)
AT&T Pantech Duo C810 with Windows Mobile 6 Standard
INTRODUCTION
The latest "first" to the mobile device world is the Pantech Duo C810: the first dual-keypad device that runs Windows Mobile. Some compare it the Helio Ocean, which also has two sliding keypads. Does the dual slider have any utlility, or is it purely a novelty? How does the Duo perform in real world testing? We've got a thorough review for you. Read on for more!
WHAT'S HOT
Let's talk specs. The Pantech Duo has Bluetooth 1.2, a 416MHz Intel XScale PXA270 CPU, 128MB ROM (with ~50MB accessible), 64MB RAM, Windows Mobile 6
Standard, a 2.2" QVGA screen screen,
EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA, USB 1.2,
an external microSD slot, and a
1.3MP rear camera.
Device |
Size (inches) |
Weight (grams | ounces) |
4.74" x 2.63" x 0.43"
|
157 | 5.53 |
|
4.33" x 2.09" x 0.59"
|
117 | 4.12 |
|
4.66" x 2.48" x 0.47"
|
130 | 4.58 |
|
4.56" x 2.33" x 0.67"
|
188 | 6.63 |
|
4.64" x 2.36" x 0.48"
|
129 | 4.55 |
|
3.96" x 2.34" x 0.67"
|
133 | 4.76 |
|
4.68" x 2.44" x 0.67"
|
188 | 6.63 |
|
4.58" x 2.42" x 0.47"
|
120 | 4.20 |
|
4.56" x 2.33" x 0.65"
|
178 | 6.28 |
|
3.92" x 2.41" x 0.60"
|
137 | 4.83 |
|
4.24" x 2.09" x 0.53"
|
117 | 4.12 |
|
4.17" x 2.00" x 0.85"
|
151 | 5.34 |
|
4.41" x 2.24" x 0.49"
|
122 | 4.30 |
|
4.57" x 1.70" x 0.64"
|
140 | 4.94 |
|
4.88" x 2.44" x 0.53"
|
130 | 4.56 |
|
4.21" x 2.20" x 0.55"
|
120 | 4.20 |
|
4.53" x 2.47" x 0.47"
|
146 | 5.15 |
|
4.63" x 2.19" x 0.67"
|
158 | 5.57 |
|
4.35" x 2.07" x 0.67"
|
158 | 5.57 |
|
4.56" x 2.41" x 0.51"
|
125 | 4.41 |
|
4.44" x 2.36" x 0.55"
|
133 | 4.69 |
|
4.01" x 1.98" x 0.55"
|
124 | 4.37 |
|
8.28" x 4.67" x 1.08"
|
640 | 22.5 |
|
4.48" x 2.52" x 0.59"
|
154 | 5.43 |
|
4.17" x 2.38" x 0.68"
|
147 | 5.18 |
|
4.01" x 2.00" x 0.71"
|
165 | 5.82 |
|
4.41" x 2.24" x 0.49"
|
122 | 4.30 |
|
4.41" x 2.28" x 0.73"
|
140 | 4.94 |
|
4.61" x 2.51" x 0.78"
|
183 | 6.45 |
|
4.40" x 2.40" x 0.50"
|
123 | 4.34 |
|
4.01" x 2.00" x 0.45"
|
110 | 3.88 |
|
4.56" x 2.36" x 0.70" |
200 | 7.05 |
|
4.60" x 2.30" x 0.50" |
110 | 3.88 |
|
4.30" x 2.40" x 0.60" |
120 | 4.23 |
|
4.20" x 2.30" x 0.60" |
136 | 4.79 |
|
3.70" x 2.30" x 0.60" |
126 | 4.44 |
|
4.48" x 2.39" x 0.51" |
116 | 4.09 |
|
4.60" x 2.60" x 0.50"
|
134 | 4.70
|
|
4.40" x 2.32" x 0.75" |
190 | 6.70 |
|
4.10" x 2.10" x 0.60" |
150 | 5.30 |
|
4.01" x 1.97" x 0.78" |
110 | 3.88 |
|
4.40" x 2.32" x 0.75" |
190 | 6.70 |
|
4.40" x 2.50" x 0.50"
|
120 | 4.20
|
WHAT'S IN
THE BOX
For those that missed the unboxing video, here it is again!
(all images link to higher resolution)
The box was one of the smallest I've ever seen from a carrier.
Inside the box was a user guide, getting started manual, USB cable, power cable, headphone adapter, and the device.
Come on, Pantech, we don't like proprietary connectors!
PRODUCT FEATURES
In hand, the device is petite and feels very light (at 110g, it's on of the lightest WM devices we've ever tested), but it also feels quite cheap...with plastic galore. The Duo has a very glossy black and blue metallic finish which is an absolute fingerprint and scratch magnet. Also, there is an ugly dimpled surface that surrounds the screen on the phone.
A bit closer to the front buttons, we have the usual Windows Mobile Standard buttons, with the addition of the lock button on the bottom. What's annoying about the lock feature is that you have to open one of the keypads to press the star key to complete the unlock sequence. On the T-Mobile Shadow, for example, you just press the left soft key twice, and it's unlocked without having to open the slider. Oh, and that's not a scroll wheel you see in the center, it's just a D-Pad. The Duo lacks a scroll wheel, much to my dismay.
If we open up the bottom slider, this is what it looks like. The number pad is spring assisted. Each key has a good size and is easy to press.
If we slide open the other keyboard, which is not spring assisted and clicks in place with a magnet, we find the three rows of keys to be spaced well. The soft keys are placed way off to the right and left, but this wasn't bothersome for me and I got used to the strange placement quickly.
The keys are backlit.
Up close, we can see that the keys are made of a rubbery plastic, which I think allow for too much give versus plastic keys.
For those of you that own an HTC Wizard/Hermes/Kaiser, you may have trouble getting used to three rows of keys instead of four.
On the left side of the device, we find a volume up and down button. Again, note that ugly dimpled texture around the screen.
On the bottom, there is a flap that covers the syncing/charging/audio port. I found the flap especially hard to remove.
And here's what the port looks like.
On the other side, we have a camera and Voice Command button.
From this view, you can really see the ultra-glossy black and blue metallic finish...
...along with the 1.3MP camera, self-portrait mirror, and speaker grill. I found the speakerphone to be loud enough, but it would distort at high volumes. Also, notice the little scratches on the battery area, from just a few days of usage.
Taking off the 1320mAh battery reveals that the SIM card is held behind the battery.
Where is the microSD slot, you ask? You have to slide open the number pad and flip over the device in order to gain access.
