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If there’s one thing that defines the phablet, it’s not hand portability — what’s on the market usually demands something of a stretch. Pantech wants to keep our grip at least slightly in check through its imminent Vega R3. The Android phone’s 5.3-inch, IPS-based LCD isn’t what we’d call modest, but it’s framed by an extra-thin bezel that Pantech claims is still comfortable in one hand. The R3 will be powerful, no matter how you hold it. It touts the same quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro we just saw in the LG Optimus G along with 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera and a 2,600mAh battery that can top up 100 minutes. South Koreans can pick up the Vega R3 from one of their three major carriers on September 25th. Sadly, we’re not expecting an American variant of the design given an emphasis on cheaper and smaller Pantech models in the US.

Continue reading Pantech Vega R3 packs Snapdragon S4 Pro, 5.3-inch screen into one hand

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Pantech Vega R3 packs Snapdragon S4 Pro, 5.3-inch screen into one hand originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 04:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This morning AT&T and Pantech just announced their latest budget friendly smartphone for the entry-level only the specs are anything but entry-level. This Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich device packs plenty of punch, 4G LTE, and more and can be all yours for just $50. Pretty great price for such a nice smartphone. Head down past the break for full details.

We first spotted the name Flex in some benchmarks and then late last week this smartphone leaked as the Pantech Magnus. Today however AT&T has confirmed the name will in fact be the Pantech Flex and part of the name comes from the fact that it features an “Easy Experience Mode” to be flexible to first time smartphone buyers.

The Pantech Flex includes specs that could almost rival top handsets too. It comes with a 4.3-inch qHD 960 x 540 display (its lowest quality) but runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It is powered by the same 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor as AT&T’s Galaxy S III, has 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. Other specs include an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video, 2 megapixel front for self portraits and video chat, and then all of this will last all day with Pantech’s 1,830 mAh battery.

The announcement didn’t reveal much on the Easy Experience Mode but it should be able to quickly be toggled on and off for those loving the specs of this device but don’t need that mode. Again all of this will be available starting September 16th for just $50 after a new 2-year contract. If you’ve been eying a powerful budget smartphone or a new device for Mom or Dad this would be a good start. Enjoy the video and let us know what you think about the “Easy Experience Mode” in the comment section below.

Pantech Flex for AT&T announced with 4G LTE and ICS for $50 is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We’ve already been alerted to the existence of a Pantech phone by the name of Flex, but we only got teased with the fact that it’s heading to AT&T and will offer LTE connectivity and few (if any) other details. Fortunately, both the manufacturer and carrier are now ready to make the phone official, complete with images, pricing and availability. As you can see, the Flex is the device we leaked last week as the Magnus — and it’s actually much more unique than even the outer design would have us believe. First, the juicy specs: the Flex uses a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display and will run Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0). It’ll be powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 SoC, and we’ll be able to enjoy 8GB onboard storage, a microSD slot, 2MP front-facing cam and an 8MP rear camera capable of taking 1080p video. Finally, powering the device is an 1,830mAh battery.

The Flex, which weighs 4.6 ounces and will be available beginning September 16th for $50 after a two-year commitment, also has another clever feature: dual Android skins. While the main UI should be standard fare for Pantech devices running ICS, the secondary skin is a simplified system dubbed the “Easy Experience” mode, which has pretty much the same type of feel as Verizon’s Pantech Marauder. According to the press release, the new system is meant to appeal to new smartphone users hoping to ease into the transition from featurephones without too much trouble, though going back and forth between modes shouldn’t be terribly difficult. The announcement doesn’t go into much detail pertaining to what you’ll be able to do in Easy Experience (or exactly what makes it easier, aside from “[prioritizing] apps on the home screen in an easy-to-read format”), so we’ll choose to remain intrigued until we hear more from Pantech or AT&T on how it works. In the meantime, we have a few press shots below showing off the new UI as well as a press release past the break.

Continue reading Pantech Flex coming to AT&T on September 16 for $50, offers ICS and new ‘Easy Experience’ mode

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

Pantech Flex coming to AT&T on September 16 for $50, offers ICS and new ‘Easy Experience’ mode originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The folks from Pantech have remained relatively quite here in the US, aside from the slow rollout of some of their devices on AT&T’s network. Those however have all been budget-friendly smartphones but this latest Pantech leak for AT&T is aiming for the top. This smartphone is packing specs for a top tier device and we have all the details.

According to the tipster providing details to Engadget this will be know as the Pantech Magnus and they are hoping it will be “great” because Magnus in Latin means exactly that. As you can see from the leaked image above the new device has some rather nice styling and on-screen Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich navigation keys — or it could even be Jelly Bean but that is doubtful.

Sources confirm the new handset is rocking the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor just like the Galaxy S III, which is a 1.5 GHz dual-core chip, 1GB of RAM, and rumored and recent benchmarks suggest this smartphone will have a 720p HD display. There’s no actual details on screen size or resolution but looking over the image we can expect 4.3 to 4.5-inches here.

Then as you can see there is a front camera, 8 megapixel rear with LED flash, a speaker grill and some rather odd design humps. This looks like a mix between the DROID Incredible on the rear, with aluminum accents from old HTC smartphones. Either way Pantech is aiming higher this time around and we like it. The more competition the better. Pantech and AT&T haven’t said a word yet but this pretty much makes it official. Hopefully we’ll know more soon on this “great” smartphone.

Pantech Magnus leaks for AT&T with 4G LTE and ICS is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It seems that earlier this month, a certain handset from Pantech with the model number P9090 hit the FCC. Given the moniker “Magnus”, benchmark sightings of the device have revealed more than just its name and possible specs. For starters if and when the device launches, users can look forward to a smartphone with a 720×1196 display resolution, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor powered by Qualcomm’s MSM8960 and will sport an Adreno 225 GPU. While it was not explicitly stated, it is probably safe to assume that it will run at the very least Android 4.x. Its previous FCC sighting has also revealed AT&T radio bands on board and this benchmark goes on to prove it. No word on when we might be seeing the Pantech P9090 Magnus arrive on AT&T, but it certainly sounds like it could be quite a promising device. Either way stay tuned as we will be keeping our eyes peeled, so check back with us at a later date where (hopefully) we will have more details for you.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Pantech Flex 4G LTE handset teased for AT&T, Pantech Renue arrives at AT&T,