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Get to know Pantech's U.S. smartphones (pictures)

Pantech has only been making smartphones for U.S. carriers since 2011, with handsets getting better and better.

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).
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1 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Pantech Crossover: The first foray

Release date: June 2011, AT&T.

Pantech's first smartphone for the U.S., the Crossover featured a durable look, QWERTY keyboard, and Android 2.2 OS. With a 3.1-inch screen and flashless 3-megapixel camera, the $69.99 Crossover was very much a starter phone.

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2 of 7 Josh MIller/CNET

Pantech Breakout: A Verizon first

Release date: September 2011, Verizon.

Another first, the Pantech Breakout ($99.99 retail) was the company's debut Android phone for Verizon. It rolled out with 4G LTE speeds, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 5-megapixel camera, and 720p HD video capture and playback. However, the slow camera and jerky video were issues.

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3 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Pantech Pocket: Big and awkward, but cheap

Release date: November 2011, AT&T.

A less successful candidate, the awkwardly sized Pantech Pocket

still lacked a camera flash on its 5-megapixel camera, and had trouble with smooth video playback and call quality. However, its $50 debut price tag for a 4-inch Android 2.3 screen made it wallet-friendly.
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4 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Pantech Burst: The whole package

Release date: January 2012, AT&T.

I was impressed from the first moment I laid eyes on the Burst. Here was an all-around good midrange Android 2.3 smartphone with a dual-core processor, LTE, and a 5-megapixel camera that had worked out the bugs. At $50, there was no better value among the Burst's cohort.

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5 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Pantech Marauder: QWERTY keyboard action

Release date: August 2012, Verizon.

One of Verizon's first midprice smartphones to ship with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Marauder ($99) combined a QWERTY keyboard with an optional "easy" UI. However, the relatively flat keyboard, bulkier design, and pokey processor were trouble spots.

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6 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Pantech Flex: Edgy design

Release date: September 2012, AT&T.

Pantech's alternative "easy experience" UI made its AT&T premiere with the Flex, an Android 4.0 device notable for its visually arresting back panel and dual-core processor wrapped up in another $50 bow. The 8-megapixel camera missed the mark, though, and the handset lacked NFC.

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7 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Pantech Discover: Curves in all the right places

Release date: January 2013, AT&T.

Pantech's most technically successful U.S. phone since the Burst, the Discover hits that midrange sweet spot where $50 gets you a full feature set, plus some interesting design perks, like 3D speakers.

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