Unveiling Pantech Burst Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Explored

Overview

The Pantech Burst is a smartphone that was introduced to the market in January 2012. It was launched with several features that targeted consumers looking for a combination of performance and affordability in a compact device. The device was ultimately discontinued but it remains a notable entry in the smartphone market of its time.

Design and Build

The Pantech Burst boasts a sleek and compact design. Its dimensions are 126.5 x 62.5 x 11.4 mm, and it weighs 122.5 grams, making it easy to handle and carry. The phone’s build includes a Micro-SIM slot and comes in two colors: Titanium and Ruby Red. The choice of materials and design language makes it stand out, even though it’s lightweight and relatively small for a smartphone.

Display

The device features a 4.0-inch screen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, offering a pixel density of approximately 233 ppi. The display uses Super AMOLED technology, ensuring vibrant colors and good contrast ratios. Although the screen size may seem small by today’s standards, at the time, it provided a satisfactory experience for basic tasks and multimedia consumption.

Performance

Under the hood, the Pantech Burst is powered by a Qualcomm MSM8660 Snapdragon S3 chipset, with a dual-core 1.5 GHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno 220 GPU. This made it quite capable for the technologies of its time, enabling users to run apps smoothly and enjoy media playback without significant issues. The phone includes 1GB of RAM, which provides reasonable multitasking capabilities for the Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) operating system, though it can be upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

Storage

The phone comes with 16GB of internal storage, allowing users to store a moderate amount of apps, media, and documents. Additionally, it includes a microSDHC card slot for expandable storage, which was a valuable feature for users requiring additional space beyond the onboard memory.

Camera

The Pantech Burst is equipped with a 5 MP rear camera, featuring autofocus and an LED flash, which enhances photo quality in low-light conditions. It is capable of recording videos in 720p at 30fps. For video calls and selfies—a less common feature in 2012—it has a VGA front camera. While it may not cater to professional photography needs, it serves basic photography purposes competently.

Battery Life

The device is supported by a removable Li-Ion 1650 mAh battery. While its stand-by time reaches up to 240 hours and talk time up to 4 hours and 30 minutes, it had an endurance rating of 31 hours in initial tests. Although this capacity is limited compared to modern standards, it was typical for smartphones released during that period, particularly when considering the device's compact size.

Connectivity

The Pantech Burst covers a broad range of connectivity options. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, ensuring strong network connectivity. For wireless communication, it offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, and GPS with A-GPS for accurate location tracking. A microUSB 2.0 port is also present for charging and data transfer. Unfortunately, the phone lacks a built-in FM radio.

Additional Features

The device includes several sensors—an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass—that enhance its functionality for multiple applications ranging from gaming to navigation. Despite lacking some modern sensors like gyroscopes or barometers, these components play a crucial role in its usability.

Aesthetics and User Experience

The Pantech Burst attracted users by balancing aesthetics and functionality. Its Super AMOLED display, combined with compact but robust construction, facilitated comfortable handling and an appealing user experience. The user interface of Android Gingerbread, upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich, offered a familiar and user-friendly platform that contributed positively to its overall reception.

Market Position and Impact

While the Pantech Burst may not have made drastic innovations, it marked a stepping stone for affordable smartphones with competent features. It provided users who wanted early LTE connectivity with a budget-friendly option without compromising on essential functionality. Its design and performance were fairly aligned with the expectations of its targeted mid-range market segment.

Conclusion

The Pantech Burst served as a noteworthy example of how manufacturers and carriers could introduce devices that cover a wide range of features at an accessible price point. Though it has been discontinued, it stands as a representative of an era when smartphones were becoming increasingly integral to daily life. Reflecting on its performance and capabilities provides insightful context into the evolution of smartphones and highlights the rapid advancement in mobile technology since its release.