Pantech Renue Comprehensive Review Specs & Pricing

Overview of Pantech Renue

The Pantech Renue, launched in July 2012, was a mobile device known for its eco-friendly design and sliding QWERTY keyboard. It was built to cater to users who preferred a physical keyboard for text input but still wanted to enjoy a touchscreen experience. Despite being discontinued, the Pantech Renue remains a noteworthy example of transitional mobile technology bridging feature phones and smartphones.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 99 x 63 x 12 mm and a weight of 128 grams, the Pantech Renue managed to offer a compact form factor that was easy to carry around. Its front face featured a 3.2-inch TFT display, capable of showing 256K colors, with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. The slide-out QWERTY keyboard was a significant design element, appealing to users fond of tactile feedback while typing. The phone used a Mini-SIM and was primarily available in black, projecting a sleek and understated look.

Display

The 3.2-inch display of the Pantech Renue provided a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 50.8%. This relatively modest screen was characteristic of feature phones transitioning into smartphone features. With a pixel density of roughly 125 ppi, the display was sufficient for basic tasks like messaging and browsing through contacts, although not ideal for media-rich applications.

Performance and Hardware

Powered by the Qualcomm QSC 6270 chipset, the Pantech Renue was equipped with 256MB of RAM and 185MB of internal storage. The hardware specs reflected the phone’s position as a feature phone with some smart capabilities. The presence of a microSDHC card slot allowed users to expand storage, which was necessary given the limited internal memory.

Camera

The device featured a single 3.15 MP rear camera, which was standard for phones in this category at the time. Capable of recording 320p video, the camera sufficed for basic photography needs but fell short of expectations compared to contemporary standards. The lack of a front-facing selfie camera highlighted the focus of the device as more of a communication tool than a multimedia device.

Connectivity

The Pantech Renue supported GSM and HSPA networks, providing 2G and 3G connectivity. It included Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR support, offering basic wireless connectivity options. However, the device did not feature Wi-Fi capabilities, limiting its use for tasks requiring internet access. GPS and A-GPS support were included for location-based services, and a microUSB 2.0 port allowed for charging and data transfer.

Software and Features

Running a proprietary feature phone operating system, the Pantech Renue focused on providing essential communication functions. It supported SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, and Instant Messaging, making it suitable for users who needed reliable messaging capabilities. The device included a basic set of games, with the option to download more, although it did not support Java applications.

Battery Life

The phone was equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery, which offered a standby time of up to 250 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours. These battery specs were typical for feature phones, providing adequate battery life for everyday use.

Conclusion

The Pantech Renue served as a practical device for users transitioning from basic mobile phones to more advanced communication tools. Its eco-friendly design, full QWERTY keyboard, and basic smart features made it an attractive choice for those who valued physical typing and reliable connectivity. Although it has been discontinued, the Pantech Renue remains a notable example of mobile technology from the early 2010s.