| Pantech PG-C3 Expert Reviews |
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Pantech PG-C3 -- by Uyen Phan --May 25th 2007 |
| Full Review |
| One of the current trends in cell phones is toward smaller handsets, but the Pantech C3 takes this movement in another direction. Instead of slimming down like many of today's fashion-friendly cell phones, the C3 keeps things compact, going for a shorter stature. Don't be misled by this phone's toy-like appearance, however; under its itty-bitty cover, it includes Web-based e-mail (though you’ll need a data plan to use this feature) and instant messaging capabilities, a VGA camera, and changeable faceplates. It also gets respectable battery life, though we wish the sound quality were better. Still, if you're searching for a modest cell phone that takes up practically no room, take a look at the Pantech C3. |
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Calls and speakerphone: Calls were loud enough on the Pantech C3, and we weren't required to adjust the volume using the keys on the side of the phone. Also, two people could speak simultaneously and still be heard. However, signal quality fluctuated, and sound dropped out occasionally. On the other end of the line, our callers reported the same problems; though our voices usually came through fine, we were forced to repeat our statements from time to time when the signal dropped out.
The speakerphone, on the other hand, was straight out disappointing. First of all, there's no dedicated speakerphone key.  Once the speakerphone is turned on, sound quality is staticky and not at all loud. You nearly have to put the speakerphone up to your ear to hear the conversation. However, if you need a phone that has TTY capabilities for use with hearing aids, the C3 is compatible with such devices. |
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Menu/phone book: The Pantech C3's menu system is easy to understand and navigate, with clearly labeled icons indicating messaging, camera, Media Net, and other capabilities. You'll have no problem adding contacts to the address book, which can accommodate up to 800 names. Your entries can be stored on either the phone's internal memory or a SIM card; if you opt for the latter, the number of entries you can save is limited by only the SIM card's storage capacity. Within your address book, each entry can store three phone numbers, two e-mail addresses, and a personalized ringer and image. There's no slot specifically for addresses, but you can always slip the info into the entry's Memo field.
Camera/video: The Pantech C3 comes with an easily accessible camera, complete with two resolutions (640x480 and 128x128), a flash, a 5- or 10-second self-timer, and a multishot mode that lets you shoot 9 images at a time. Though there's no dedicated camera key, you can always access the camera from the home screen by selecting the right soft key under Camera. The flash doesn't help much for objects more than a foot away (we’re impressed it helps at all, since typically the flash in camera phones typically doesn’t do much), but the multishot mode is surprisingly effective, betraying little shutter lag between pics. The Pantech isn't a good choice for self-portraits, however; there's no mirror where you can check to see how you look, and the phone's external display doesn't offer a preview either Instead, you'll have to hold your camera at arm's length, snap the shot, and hope it comes out.
Though crisp with good detail, images looked slightly gray and muted on the cell phone itself. They didn't get any better once we downloaded them to our computer, either. Outdoor shots looked blown out in spots, while indoor shots seemed somewhat overcast.
The Pantech C3 does not have video capabilities. |
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Look and feel: When the C3 hit the market, it was billed as the world's smallest flip phone, and Pantech claimed the phone was the size of a credit card. Both assertions are true, but the credit card comparison is not what it seems. On the face of it, the C3, from the top of the stubby antenna to the bottom, down past the microphone, covers just as much surface area as your plastic money. Turn the cell phone on its side, however, and you'll notice it's thicker than a lot of the fashion-friendly models on the market. Despite the unexpected girth, the C3 is petite through and through, and it'll fit right in your palm, even for those with smaller hands. However, because of its diminutive stature, combined with its lightweight, plastic construction, the phone feels more like a toy than a functional handset. Don't count on cradling it between your ear and your shoulder, or dialing or texting on it with only one hand--it's just too little.
The C3 won't be mistaken for a sleek, sexy handset, but it makes at least one concession to style: It comes with an extra blue plastic faceplate that you can easily switch out, and you can buy more covers, if you so desire. Also on the outside, the external display is packed with information, including the time, date, signal strength, battery life, alert type, and message status. Flip open the cell phone, and as you'd expect from such a small model, you'll find a relatively petite screen. However, it's plenty bright and vivid.
Keypad: In accordance with a phone of this size, the keys are fairly small, but they're surprisingly easy to use. The buttons are slightly raised and backlit in blue, and they feel solid, with a satisfying give, when you press down. We misdialed a few times, but it likely had more to do with the Pantech’s tiny dimensions and the way it sat in our hand than with the keys themselves. |
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| The Pantech C3's battery life is satisfactory. With regular use, including making calls, sending text messages, reading e-mail, and occasionally surfing the wireless Web, the Pantech C3 lasted about five days before the battery wore down. If your cell phone use is on the light side, you can easily go for more than a week without plugging in. If you're constantly using your phone for calls, text messages, or Web access, expect to recharge it every three to four days. |
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Pantech PG-C3 Expert Rating
