AT&T just introduced a slew of new phones, intended for inclusion in its 2010 Spring Cell Phone Portfolio. All four devices, which comprise of the Samsung Strive, Samsung Sunburst, Pantech Link and Pantech Pursuit, are geared towards messaging-centric uses and are billed, in fact, as Quick Messaging Devices (QMD).

Along with the new handsets, the company also announced three new data services that will be present in phones grouped in the QMD category. The most notable is Next Generation Messaging, which adds group messaging and "reply all" functionality, along with a consolidated inbox, threaded messaging format and improved multimedia display (they didn't elaborate on the latter). A free contacts list (AT&T Address Book) and paid media-sharing capability (AT&T Mobile Share), both PC-accessible and cloud-based, round up the rest of the new services.

The Samsung Strive, a vertical slider, will be the first handset from the lot. Details include a full QWERTY keyboard, a 2.6-inch QVGA screen, built-in social networking apps, IM, Mobile Email, 3G connectivity and a 2.0 megapixel camera module. Price will be $19.99 on contract. Samsung's other offering is the Sunburst, an entry-level touchscreen with a widget-based UI, 3-inch WQVGA resistive display, accelerometer, GPS, Bluetooth and microSD slot. Expect it in-stores by March 21, priced at $39.99 with contract.

Similar to Samsung, Pantech's offering will also consist of one QWERTY and one touchscreen phone. The former is the Pantech Link, which will come with IM, social networking apps, Mobile Email and GPS. The latter is the Pantech Pursuit, a touchscreen with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Feature set appears similar to the Link, although the press release hints that it will have a slightly more powerful camera.  No pricing or release dates were announced for the two.

[AT&T via Unwired View]

As a source of unusual cellphone designs, Pantech has been nothing but consistent.  The same holds true with their latest messaging handset, the Pantech Impact.

Sporting a clamshell form factor that opens sideways, this is a phone that really has a style all its own. The outer face comes with a small 1.5-inch screen and impressive, touch-sensitive OLED controls that include a T9-style keypad with haptic feedback.  Once lit, the whole thing looks stunning.  You have limited menu access from the outer monochrome display, but you can do the basics, such as text and make calls.

When flipped open, it reveals a full QWERTY keyboard and a 2.6-inch LCD (240 x 400 pixels).  Display quality is excellent and the keypad performs great.  It's a little cramped and doesn't look half as enthralling as the outer panel, but it does offer great usability.

As a phone, the Impact manages decent call quality. There's a bit of noticeable background noise, although voices came through loud and clear.  Speakerphone adds some echo, but everything comes through clearly both ways.   The phone runs quite nicely on the hardware set, with satisfactory 3G speeds.  Battery life is rated at around five hours of talk time.

The Pantech Impact comes with all the basic messaging phone niceties, including a 1000-entry phonebook, full messaging suite (SMS, MMS, IM, POP and IMAP mail) and the usual standard features.  A particularly noteworthy addition is the Opera-based full HTML browser, which is quite speedy and offers a few decent options.  Zooming is limited to two levels, though, and you'll have to bring up a new screen just to type in a new URL.

A capable media phone, it boasts decent stereo speakers, managing better than usual music output.  The music player is rather standard, though.  Armed with 3G, it comes with full support for AT&T's range of streaming services, which includes, videos, music, XM radio and song downloads.  It comes with a largely nominal 2.0 megapixel camera, which takes rather mediocre pictures (very dull, overcast colors).  There's also an onboard GPS and microSD card support (up to 32GB).

Overall, the Pantech Impact is a respectable messaging phone.  There's not much here you can't find from many similarly-priced feature handsets, but the striking looks just might be able to sway you.  AT&T has it for $99.99 on contract.

Originally announced last October, the Pantech Impact will finally make its debut for AT&T.  Like many other Pantech phones, the new messaging handset comes with an unusual configuration.

Sporting a side-hinged clamshell form factor, the device takes uniqueness up a notch, throwing two sets of displays and two keypads into its hardware suite.  When closed, users get to work on a candybar configuration, using a small LCD with haptic-enabled, touchpad keys right below it.  You can make calls, play music or send texts in this mode.  Flip it open and you get a larger, video-friendly display, with a full set of QWERTY keys for messaging convenience.

Hardware details of the unusually-stylish Impact include 3G, aGPS, an onboard camera module (unspecified resolution) and microSD expansion.  A world phone, it supports GSM quad-band for global roaming, as well as UMTS dual-band 3G.  The phone comes with POP3 email capabilities and AT&T's full HTML browser.

While the face design looks like a gimmick at best, you can't really fault Pantech for trying to be different.  Contrast that with that other Korean handset maker (hint: Samsu...) whose phones you can hardly tell apart.

The Pantech Impact will hit store shelves beginning Sunday, November 22.  It will be available in either bright blue or soft pink colors, with pricing set at $99.99 on a two-year contract.

[via Slashgear]

Sporting a unique swivel design that lets you alternate between QWERTY keys and music player controls, the Verizon Wireless Razzle (manufactured by Pantech) tiptoes the line between a messaging phone and a music-centric device.  The design risk works, managing to be highly usable while allowing the handset to stand out.

Physically, the phone boasts streamlined looks that feel great in the hand.  It's slim at only half-an-inch of thickness and weighs a light 3.8 ounces.  The 2.2-inch display (220 x 176 resolution) can feel a little small, but it's clear and vibrant.  Keys in the navigation array are a bit flat, but they're easy to distinguish (because of the shape) and responsive.

Around the lower end of the body is where things get interesting.   The swiveling mechanism is well done and the slightly-angled orientation of the QWERTY keyboard makes for good typing ergonomics.  I'm a big fan of the implementation here and wouldn't mind seeing it mirrored in other phones.

As a phone, the Razzle manages decent-sounding calls, with hardly any static in the background.  Speakerphone performance was very disappointing, though, with the mic seemingly unable to pick up voice clearly.   Too bad, because incoming audio sounded great.  Its battery is rated at 4.77 hours of talk time.

The phone comes with stereo speakers that sound good.  It's not as enjoyable as music phones from Nokia or Sony Ericsson but overall performance is acceptable.  However, the decent music capabilities is marred a great deal by the lack of a 3.5 mm jack.

Features include plenty of messaging capabilities (SMS, MMS, IM and mobile email), an onboard GPS, stereo Bluetooth and a wireless web browser.  There's no 3G or Wi-Fi support, though, so you're stuck with EDGE if you want to surf.  There's also a 1.3 megapixel camera with very mediocre quality.

Despite the issues, the Verizon Wireless Razzle is an interesting phone that sports a unique and well-thought-out design.  The $19.95 price (with a two-year contract) doesn't hurt either.  In fact, we think it's one of the better mid-range messaging phones currently in Verizon's lineup.

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Pantech has been largely known for their dual-sliding phones and the new Pantech Reveal doesn't veer too far away.  At first glance, it looks like a regular candybar device with a standard T9 keypad.  Activate the vertical sliding mechanism, though, and it will turn up a second full QWERTY keyboard.

Physically, the device sports a wide girth that makes it looks short and stubby.  The front and sides are largely plastic, but the back is clad in an attractive faux-steel finish.   Overall construction is solid, along with a sturdy-feeling sliding facility.  It comes with a widescreen 2.2-inch LCD that manages a good 320 x 240 pixels that's bright, colorful and looks excellent under sunlight.  Because of the width, both keypads are roomy and comfortable to use.

As a phone, the Reveal manages decent voice calls.  There's some amount of static and harshness, but not so much.  Speakerphone was good, with plenty of volume and little distortion.  3G performance is great, making for fast-loading webpages and hitch-free streaming video.  Battery is rated at 4.5 hours of talk time - good for about two days or more of regular use.

It comes with all the basic feature phone niceties, including a 1,000-entry phonebook, standard tools and a full set of messaging options (SMS, MMS, IM and both POP3 and IMAP email).  The onboard browser, which is based on Opera, is excellent, making for speedy and comfortable browsing.  Text can be a little small due to the display, though.

More advanced features include a GPS, wide multimedia support (MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AAC+V2, Real Audio, MPEG-4 and H.264) and a 1.3 megapixel camera.  The latter manages below average photos.  At that resolution, though, few people will likely be expecting much.  It also comes with a good range of games and apps.

Overall, the Pantech Reveal is a solid messaging handset with great multimedia capabilities and a well-made browser.  If the screen were a little bigger, this will give multimedia touchscreen handsets a good run for their money.

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The dual-sliding Pantech Matrix was seriously hot when it first came out and this month, it gets a refresh in the form of the Pantech Matrix Pro.  It maintains the same form factor as the original handset, with a few minor refinements including some design tweaks, souped-up specs and Windows Mobile 6.1.

I've always thought the steel blue exterior of this handset was seriously hot and my opinion continues well into this update.  Now sporting a sleek mirror finish and a larger LCD, it retains the original's dual keyboards - a full QWERTY in landscape oriented and number-oriented pad when slid in portrait mode.

Highlights of the AT&T-branded upgrade include a move to tri-band 3G, a 2 megapixel camera with 4X zoom, aGPS (AT&T Navigator 30-day trial), a faster processor, threaded messaging and memory card expansion up to 32 GB.  Of course, it supports AT&T's host of services including Video Share calling, MobiTV, eMusic and more.  Talk time is a generous 6 hours on a full charge.

While not the most compelling smartphone in the market, the Pantech Matrix Pro is a seriously good alternative to the glut of flashy upscale mobile handsets current available.  Bringing the same feature-rich capabilities with none of the hype, it just might turn out to be your new favorite phone.  It will be available starting Feb. 24th for $179.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Photo Credit: BGR