Pantech U4000 Complete Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Network Capabilities

The Pantech U-4000 is equipped with a GSM/UMTS network technology, allowing it to function efficiently across multiple frequency bands including GSM 900/1800/1900 and UMTS 2100. This technology is crucial for providing a solid and reliable connection for voice calls and text messaging services. The device supports up to 384 kbps speeds, providing basic mobile internet connectivity for users during its time. Although it wouldn’t suffice for today's high-speed data requirements, it was adequate for simpler browsing and basic email functionalities.

Launch and Availability

Announced in November 2006, the Pantech U-4000 was positioned in the market as a solid choice for consumers looking for a feature phone with reliable performance. Despite its promising features during its release, the device has been discontinued and is no longer available in the current market. However, it marked a significant step for Pantech in expanding its mobile device offerings during its time.

Design and Build

The device features compact dimensions of 95 x 43 x 16.5 mm and weighs just 92 grams, making it a lightweight and portable option for users. It carries a sleek design with a classic silver-black color scheme, which was quite popular during its release. It utilizes a Mini-SIM card, which was the standard at the time. Its design can be characterized by its simplicity and functionality, ensuring easy handling and operation for its users.

Display

The Pantech U-4000 boasts a 1.9-inch TFT display that supports up to 260K colors, sufficient for displaying text messages and basic multimedia content. With a screen resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, it offers a pixel density of around 148 ppi, providing clear visibility for its relatively small display size. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 27.8%, a common trait among feature phones of that era.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the device comes with 30MB of storage, which could be expanded using a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing users to store additional contacts, messages, and media. The phonebook can store a significant number of contacts, and it keeps records of 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls, ensuring users can easily manage their communication history.

Camera

The Pantech U-4000 is equipped with a 1.3 MP main camera which was quite standard for feature phones at the time, suitable for capturing basic photos and video clips. It includes a secondary VGA camera for video calls, which was aimed at providing essential video communication capabilities, albeit with limited resolution quality.

Sound and Alerts

The device includes a built-in loudspeaker and supports vibration and a variety of alert tones including downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. However, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, which limits options for personal audio listening through traditional wired headphones.

Communication and Connectivity

While WLAN connectivity is absent, the device does support Bluetooth 1.1 for wireless sharing of files and data with compatible devices, albeit at slower speeds compared to modern standards. It is equipped with a USB 2.0 port for connecting to computers or transferring data. However, GPS positioning and radio functionalities were not included in this model.

Features and Software

In terms of features, the Pantech U-4000 includes basic messaging options such as SMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging. It is equipped with a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for simple web browsing experiences and supports Java with MIDP 2.0, allowing for basic application usage beyond the preloaded functionalities. However, the device does not come with preinstalled games.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 820 mAh battery, which was typical for its kind, providing an adequate standby and talk time period for users. The specification of a removable battery allows users to replace it once performance starts degrading, thereby potentially extending the lifespan of the device itself.

Conclusion

The Pantech U-4000 is a representation of the transition period from simple feature phones to more sophisticated mobile devices with expanded capabilities. While it may seem outdated by today's standards, it offered users of its time sufficient connectivity, communication, and media functionalities. Its compact and lightweight design combined with essential features makes it a noteworthy device in the historical evolution of mobile phones. Despite its discontinuation, the Pantech U-4000 remains a point of reference for understanding the development and consumer expectations from mobile devices in the mid-2000s.