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AT&T's dual-mode Pantech Flex drops with Android 4.0 for $50

Pantech leaps forward with surprisingly high-end features for a budget Android phone, plus a dual-boot mode aimed at beginners.

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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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Pantech Flex
The Pantech Flex comes with an "easy" mode in addition to the standard Android 4.0 view. Pantech

Well, this is a new one for AT&T and Pantech. The two have teamed up to offer the Pantech Flex, a budget Android phone designed to ease first-time smartphone users into the Android experience.

The Flex has an "easy experience" mode that limits Android 4.0 to a single home screen imbued with large text and buttons, and a simplified menu to ease up on the navigation and scrolling needed to operate the full-fledged Android experience. Think of it as Ice Cream Sandwich with training wheels.

Just because the Flex comes with a starter mode doesn't mean it isn't a serious smartphone. There are some surprisingly high-end features that belie the phone's $50 price tag.

For instance, the Flex has a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display, a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, and an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD recording and playback. It also throws open the door to AT&T's 4G LTE speeds.

The 4.6-ounce smartphone launches September 6 for $49.99 with a new, two-year contract.

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