Home › Reviews ›

Review: Pantech Jest

Form Basics Extras Video Tour Wrap-Up Comments 8

I could excuse many flaws on the Pantech Jest, but I can't forgive the problems I had with every aspect of the messaging features. Messaging is the most important draw for this phone. Forgetting the slow and ineffective Web browser, the lousy camera, the confusing music transfer and the lackluster calling options, if the Pantech Jest had only delivered on the messaging options, I might have been able to recommend this phone. Instead, when I tried sending messages, connecting with my social networks and checking my email inbox, everything came to a standstill.

Text messaging was unreliable, with a mystifying mix of menus and interface screens. The social networking and email apps simply did not work for me, no matter how many hoops I jumped through. I had to create dangerously simple passwords to access these services, and then found the effort, and the risk, was not worth the payoff. Even if my fingers were dainty enough to enjoy the small keyboard, the email and Social Beat apps didn't provide a reliable experience to make typing worth while.

Messaging wasn't the only fatal flaw I found, though. The optical direction key stymies all enjoyment of this phone's design. I like having plenty of customization and shortcut options, an impressive array for a basic quick messaging phone, but mostly I used these options to avoid the direction key. The optical button up front was unresponsive to the point of almost complete failure. There wasn't an app on the phone that wasn't hurt by this poor navigation choice.

The market for feature phones with a full QWERTY keyboard is thriving, second only to smartphones, so there's no need to settle for a device like this. Almost every other full QWERTY phone I've tried has performed better, especially in the messaging features that truly matter to interested buyers.

Related

Pantech Pleases the Court with Jest

Jun 29, 2010
Verizon Wireless and Pantech today announced the Jest, a new quick messaging device. The Jest is a slider with a full QWERTY keyboard and a 2.6-inch display.

Samsung Refreshes Galaxy S Series with S Pen, New Cameras

Feb 9, 2022
Samsung today announced its lineup of flagship phones for 2022: the Galaxy S22 series. The top-end S22 Ultra sees the biggest changes as it essentially absorbs Samsung's Note series with an integrated S Pen stylus and a more Note-like shape and design, instead of the Contour Cut design of the other models.

Samsung Refines its Foldable Phones

Aug 10, 2022
Samsung has announced its newest generation of foldable phones: the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4. Both have similar designs and features compared to their predecessors, with a slew of small updates and refinements across the board.

iPhone 14 Plus Offers a Big Screen For Less

Sep 7, 2022
Apple has revealed the iPhone 14 series, with new features, improved specs, and new size options. In place of a Mini option, the iPhone 14 will come in the same 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen size options as the Pro models.

Samsung S24 Series Adds More AI, Updates the Hardware

Jan 17, 2024
Samsung has unveiled its lineup of flagship phones for 2024, the Galaxy S24 series. The phones sport multiple upgrades in both hardware and software compared to last year's models.

Pantech Jest

2.6" display 320 x 320 pixels
920 mAh battery
Memory Card Slot, Hardware Text Keyboard

more news about: