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Huawei Pinnacle review: Personality, and one big flaw

Kudos to Huawei for imbuing its Pinnacle with some character. Too bad one major pitfall threatens to ruin all the good work.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
Jessica Dolcourt
Huawei Pinnacle
Josh Miller/CNET

In an age of clone phones, it's refreshing to come across a handset with a character of its own. It might be just me, but the combination of the aesthetics and its software interface on the Huawei Pinnacle for MetroPCS struck a chord.

With the vast majority of the phones I touch being Android handsets, using the Pinnacle made an impression that recommends it to MetroPCS subscribers who aren't in the market for a smartphone.

Unfortunately, call quality was a major setback in my tests. It wouldn't keep me from using the phone if I already had it, but I have been known to return devices that make my ears ring. On top of the poorer audio, MetroPCS's slower-than-average data network makes looking things up a drag, so the Pinnacle isn't a good choice for Internet addicts.

Back on the bright side, the phone costs just $20 after a mail-in rebate. Check out all the pros and cons in my full Huawei Pinnacle review.