Pantech Breeze II P2000 Review

Introduction:

We've seen a barrage of quick messaging phones out of Pantech's camp over the course of the last year and we don't foresee them drying up in that category any time soon. However, they're also in the game when it comes to basic handsets that forgo the QWERTY form factor in favor of the classic clamshell – just like the original Pantech Breeze from a couple of years ago. Thankfully they're at it again with the successor, the Pantech Breeze II P2000, which aims to be a solid entry-level handset aimed for older adults who prefer simplicity over aesthetics.

The package contains:
•    Pantech Breeze II
•    Charger
•    User Manual
•    Quick Start Guide

Design:

Naturally the overall look of the Pantech Breeze II follows closely to the teeth with its predecessor as the design and dimensions look similar. The narrow looking clamshell device is fairly well sized and light weight (3.5 oz) enough to allow anyone to hold it comfortably without much strain on the hand. Although the handset doesn't feel hefty due to the plastic material it's constructed out of, its design is more reserved than others and doesn't scream anything breathtaking. However, for a handset that's geared towards older adults, the choice of material looks to be durable enough to withstand some damage. All in all, it surely isn't the prettiest out there, but we'd surmise that design wouldn't be the top priority for a handset that takes aim at the older population.



You can compare the Pantech Breeze II P2000 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

As one would expect, the Pantech Breeze II improves upon most of the specs seen with its predecessor. In its closed position, you can view the date, time, and caller ID info thanks to its 1.38” external display which has a resolution of 128 x 128 with support for 65k colors. Below that are three LED indicators that light up for incoming messages, phones calls, and low battery which make it relatively easy for anyone to take notice.


Opening up the handset, we're greeted to an adequate 2.2” QVGA display with 262k colors which happens to be crisp and full of color to make text very easy to see from a good distance. Not only did it have pretty good viewing angles, but it managed to hold up well even in outdoor conditions where the sun was beating down directly on it. With simplicity in mind, there are three quick key buttons numbered from one to three found below the display which can be assigned to just about anything – from phone numbers to even applications. Despite being somewhat flush to the surface, the oval shaped buttons on the keypad are large enough to feel out and press without much effort. In addition to utilizing a circular directional pad, there are other dedicated buttons for the camera, voice recognition, and soft keys – all of which are comfortable to the touch. Aside from the usual proprietary Pantech charging port on the right side, you can find the perfectly placed and sized volume rocker to the left. Finally, the 1.3-megapixel camera and speaker phone are found on the back, while removing the battery cover will provide you access to the SIM card and microSD card slots.

Software/Features:

Following in the same footsteps as we've seen on the past few Pantech phones, the standard “Advanced Mode” interface is both simple and straightforward with a very easy learning curve.  There is a splash of personalization that can be tacked on as there are options to use different main menu layouts, wallpapers, fonts, and clock styles for the home screen. Interestingly enough, the Pantech Breeze II offers the alternative “Breeze” mode which essentially simplifies the interface and provides you with a listing view for your main menu with large and easy to read text – fit for those who don't want to bother with lengthy menus and jump straight into the most commonly used features on the phone.


Even though it focuses on the needs of the older population, there are still some elements that make the Pantech Breeze II just like other contemporary handsets – such as text messaging, email, instant messaging, and PIM functions. Sending a text message can be accomplished the traditional way using the numeric keypad or simply relying on predictive text for a faster input. Email setup is a breeze as it's no different from other AT&T handsets by simply providing your email address and password. Finally, there are a decent amount of the standard AT&T applications preloaded on the device such as AT&T Navigator, MobiTV, AT&T Social Net, and My-Cast Weather to keep you busy.
 



Camera and Multimedia:

Amidst all of the basic commodities seen on most phones, the Pantech Breeze II luckily packs on a 1.3-megapixel shooter that managed to produce average looking images in outdoor conditions – although colors were a bit on the neutral side. Regrettably, taking it indoors quickly exposes its Achilles heel as images clearly lacked any subtle colors and were plagued with grainy quality. We also found the interface to be exactly like previous devices as there are some icons that scattered on-screen which allow you to change some options.




When it came to taking videos, the maximum shooting resolution of 320 x 240 was more than capable of capturing candid shots. In fact, videos were passable even though it may not have been the most detailed with the presence of some jerky movements.

Pantech Breeze II P2000 sample video at 320x240 pixels resolution.

We were surprised to see Pantech's usual music player which presents a tolerable looking interface – surely not a bad thing to see on a phone like the Breeze II. Not only do you get a mini player when you exit back to the homescreen, but closing the handset completely will display the music info on the external screen. As for quality, we were pleased with the speaker's performance as it was adequate with normal sounding tones that sometimes had a hint of sharpness to them.


The Pantech Breeze II was able to play a video coded in H.263 at 320 x 144 with no lag or slowdown. Granted though it may not have been the most detailed video, it nonetheless managed to provide a decent experience despite the tiny screen.


If you plan on using the handset for its multimedia features, you'll be happy to find 80MB of internal storage right out of the box while it can be supplemented with microSD cards up to 32GB in size.

Data/Connectivity:

Taking the handset to other countries for voice calls won't be an issue with it's quad-band GSM capability (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). For data use, the dual-band UMTS support (850/1900 MHz) will allow you to access 3G speeds in the US.

There are no complaints with the Opera Mini browser on the Breeze II – pages load fairly quickly while scrolling is smooth. Needless to say that the tiny screen may make it difficult to see an entire page fully, but it's still easy to make out text when zoomed in. Although it might not be the most suitable handset for web browsing, its performance is quite passable to make it a stand out feature.

Performance:

Callers were generally pleased by the voice quality on the Breeze II as it was normal sounding with little to no distortion. On our end, the experience was unchanged from what our callers heard, but we would've liked to hear some louder tones on both ends.

We were thoroughly impressed with battery life on the phone as we were able to achieve a talk time of 5.5 hours when the manufacturer has it rated for 3.0 hours for talk and 240 hours of standby time.

Compared to other AT&T phones, the Pantech Breeze II was able to retain good connection to the network with no drop calls experienced in the greater Philadelphia area.

Conclusion:

If you're looking for a phone that passes by as being just a phone, then the Pantech Breeze II should prove to be a decent solution for you. However, we were surprised to see how much depth the phone has when it comes to features and performance. But at the same time with its option for the “Breeze Mode,” it takes the pain out of getting too bogged down for those who aren't necessarily up to speed with the modern conveniences of most phones. Even though its design might not be one of its strong points, it will definitely appeal to the older population as it fits perfectly to that demographic. All in all, the Pantech Breeze II offers a surprising experience underneath its ordinary looking shell – and it's inexpensively priced as well.

Software version of the reviewed unit: JGUS03292010

Pantech Breeze II P2000 Video Review: