The Pantech Matrix is a dual slide phone, sporting the same design as the earlier Pantech Duo. Cellphone slides both ways to reveal a number pad for making calls and tilting it to the side makes for easy for mobile messaging. The phone seems to suffer with its bulky appearance, navigation can be tricky at times and keypad layout leaves much to be desired. Features include support for basic mobile messaging, broadband services, HSDPA, A-GPS, Megapixel camera, Bluetooth and XM radio capability.

The Matrix certainly comes competitively priced. Prices start from the $80 to $100 price range. Design is sturdy and standard features could give high end smartphones a run for their money. Bulky at the sides but narrow, the Matrix gives the user a firm grip and speaks of quality in terms of build. The slider is solidly built; switching the phone is nicely done without the user fearing the phone could go apart anytime. The dual slide feature is a clever design, the number pad makes calling from the cellphone quick and easy.

Voice quality was better than average. Noise over the line was not noticed providing for crystal clear communications. Interference from other electronic devices we??™re absent and did not affect signal or voice quality. Signals were strong even at the hard to reach provider areas; the matrix registered 2 bars when similar cellphones registered a measly bar. Phonebook and contact was simple with some standard features like favorite calling features and voice dialing were absent.

The matrix boasts a QWERTY keyboard but lacks support for more advance features like email services. Messaging is basic with the usual SMS and MMS services. Internet messaging consists of AOL, MSN and yahoo. Cellphone??™s interface is outdated and certainly could have been improved. Gmail is one of the most used services today and the designers could have gone the extra mile to provide this service.

Multimedia is solid, the Matrix scored well for music quality. Recognizing the different multimedia formats was excellent. The Windows Mobile OS was able to facilitate playing different formats but interface is basic with no noteworthy features. One feature that grabbed our attention however was its ability to play music tracks while doing other tasks. The Pantech Matrix comes with a 1 Megapixel phone, this was one area its predecessor lacked and one spot Pantech could have done better.

The Pantech Matrix comes with 3G support and pacing the cellphone through surfing was surprisingly good. One shortcoming is its inherent small screen. Loading time for webpages was a bit slow, browsing through sites quite a long time. Viewing in detail such as thumbnails and icons took a longer time when trying to navigate webpages.

GPS is also one application which the Pantech Matrix does well. Turn by turn navigation through the phone was accurate. Some specific areas presented a problem but general directions were clear and accurate.

The Pantech Matrix certainly has no pretensions of being a high end smartphone. Basic cellphone decide is solid and build quality is good. The QWERTY design gives heavy texters a quick and easy way of entering their messages. Although the phone does not excel in any specific area except design the Matrix does show solid performances in all spots. For cellphone hunters who are looking for a great buy, the Pantech Matrix could prove a good alternative to more expensive smartphones.

UPC	92
Brand	Pantech
Model	Pantech PN-8300
Battery Type	Li - Ion
Battery Capacity	1200 mAh
Battery Talk Time	3.00 hours
Standby Time	192 hours
GSM Bands	N/A
CDMA Bands	800/1900
Operating System	N/A
OS Version	N/A
Processor	N/A
Memory	N/A
Unveiled on	N/A
Display Type	Color
Display Technology	TFT
Display Size	240 x 320 pixels
Display Colors	262 144
Display Physical Size	N/A
Display Features	N/A
Additional Display Type	N/A
Additional Display Size	N/A
Additional Display Colors	N/A
Additional Display Physical Size	N/A
Multiple SIM Cards Support	N/A
Design Form Factor	Slider
Design of Antenna	Internal
Dimensions	4.30 x 1.90 x 1.00 (108,46 x 47,76 x 25,37 mm)
Weight	4.73 oz (133,33 g)
Global Roaming System	N/A
Accelerometer	N/A
GPS	Yes
TTY TDD Enabled	Yes
Camera and Video Camera Type	Built-in - Immobile
Camera and Video Camera Resolution	2.0 megapixels
Camera and Video Camera Video Capture	Yes
Camera and Video Camera Flash	Yes
Camera and Video Camera Features	N/A
Camera and Video Camera More	Digital zoom, White balance, Multi shot, Effects
Camera and Video Video Playback Protocols	MPEG4, H.264
Camera and Video Video Playback Features	N/A
Connectivity Data More	CDMA2000 1xRTT/1xEV-DO rev.0
Data Max Speed	N/A
Internet Browsing Protocols	N/A
Internet Browsing Features	N/A
Infrared Port	N/A
Bluetooth Version	N/A
Bluetooth Profiles	N/A
Bluetooth Features	N/A
Wireless LAN Type	N/A
USB Type	N/A
USB Version	N/A
Proprietory	N/A
SyncML	N/A
Computer Synchronization	Yes
HeadSet Jack 2 5mm	Yes
Head Jack 3 5mm	N/A
TV Out	N/A
External Antenna	N/A
Pop Port	N/A
Full Keyboard	N/A
Touch Screen	N/A
Side Keys Left	Volume keys, Camera key, Voice record key
Side Keys Right	N/A
Predictive Text Input Support	N/A
Predictive Text Input Type	T9
Memory Expansion Slot Type	microSD
Memory Built in	70 MB
Message Text Send Receive	Yes
Message EMS	N/A
Message MMS	Yes
Message Instant Messaging More	N/A
Message Instant Messaging Services	N/A
Message E mail Protocols	N/A
Message E mail Features	N/A
Music AND Audio Music Player Protocols	MP3
Music AND Audio Music Player Features	Dual Speakers
Music AND Audio Radio	N/A
Music AND Audio FM Transmitter	N/A
Voice Dialing	N/A
Voice Commands	N/A
Voice Recording	Yes
Voice Speaker	Yes
Voice VoIP	N/A
Regulatory Approval SAR Head	N/A
Regulatory Approval SAR Body	N/A
Regulatory Approval SAR Measured in	N/A
Polyphonic Rings Voices	N/A
Notifications Polyphonic Rings Features	N/A
Vibration Alert	Yes
Alarm	Yes
Calendar	Yes
Calculator	Yes
TO DO	N/A
Stopwatch	Yes
Flashlight	N/A
Organizer Other	World Clock, Notepad, Tip Calculator
Document Viewer Support	N/A
Document Viewer Supported formats	N/A
Book Features	Caller groups supported
Book Capacity	500
Book Multiple Numbers Per Contact	Yes
Book Picture ID	Yes
Book Ring ID	N/A
Personalization Faceplates	N/A
Personalization Profiles	Yes
Games	Yes plus downloadable
JAVA Profile	N/A
JAVA Configuration	N/A
Wireless LAN Support	N/A
Messaging E mail More	N/A
Software JAVA Support	N/A
Connectivity Internet Browsing Support	N/A
Connectivity Bluetooth Support	N/A
Connectivity USB More	Yes
Battery Talk time 3G	N/A
Battery Stand by time 3G	N/A
Battery Video call time	N/A
Battery Music playback	N/A
Battery Video playback	N/A
Battery Gaming	N/A
Battery GPS usage	N/A

Designed to make messaging faster and easier than ever before, the Pantech Matrix cell phone features a cool convertible design that slides up to access the alpha-numeric keypad and slides sideways to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. You'll be able to quickly download video, music and more over AT&T's lightning quick HSPDA 3G network. Additionally, this GPS-enabled phone can access the AT&T Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions as well as its Video Share serve, which enables you to send video of yourself to another compatible phone while making a voice call. Other features include a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, MicroSD memory expansion, access to instant messaging on the go, and up to 3 hours of talk time.