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Pantech Renue (pictures)

The Pantech Renue is a compact QWERTY messaging phone for AT&T.

Jessica Dolcourt
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).
Jessica Dolcourt
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1 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

Size isn't everything on the Pantech Renue

The Pantech Renue is a small handset by today's standards, but you won't have to worry about the messaging phone and its QWERTY keyboard protruding from your pocket.
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2 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

QWERTY

Messaging is a central task, which makes its keyboard of the utmost importance. Though compact, it was comfortable and well-appointed, even if the keys were a bit flat to my liking. The application icons are large and finger-friendly.
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3 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

Top view

I do like the 3.5 millimeter headset jack on the phone, which makes it music-friendly since you can pop in any standard headset.
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4 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

Camera could use some work

The 3-megapixel camera disappoints with blocky photos leached of color. Videos were even worse, with a pixelated playback.
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5 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

Micro-SIM card

A micro-SIM card joins the battery and microSD card slot beneath the nicely textured back cover.
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6 of 6 Josh Miller/CNET

Width

The Renue measures just under 0.5 inch thick, which isn't bad considering its concealed keyboard. It's fairly heavy for its size, but that translates into durability.

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