Verizon Wireless PN-820 Flip Smartphone Review on CNET

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://reviews.cnet.com/Verizon_Wireless_PN_820/4505-6452_7-32161234.html?tag=more' target='_blank'>http://reviews.cnet.com/Verizon_Wireless_PN_820/4505-6452_7-32161234.html?tag=more</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Smart phones have come a long way in design. Nowadays, they come in all shapes and sizes--from the sleek to the small--and not just the bricklike variety. Yet there's one form factor that the phone manufacturers have yet to conquer--flip phones. The Cingular 3125 was a good effort, but its Trekkie look isn't for everyone. Enter the Verizon Wireless PN-820. It's certainly not sexy--some might call it dull even--but the design is practical and more important, functional. Plus, the Windows Mobile 5 smart phone packs in Bluetooth, EV-DO support, and good performance. Of course, we have our share of complaints."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-2007mar-pn820.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />The Verizon Wireless PN-820 clam shell smart phone was launched quietly. We didn't see any fuzzy spy shots, there were no pre-production reviews and no launch buzz. The CNET review is probably the first one, and it took over a month for the first review to hit the Web. :( Regardless, the clam shell design is pretty popular. There aren't many smart phones in the Verizon Wireless stores right now that can match PN-820's skills. I agree that it is not as cool looking as the Cingular 3125, but it looks like a very practical gadget. What I like the most is that it has a miniSD, yes miniSD, slot that is externally accessible. If you are on the lookout for a flip smart phone on the Verizon's network then check out this Windows Mobile 5 device. In case you own one, we would like to hear about it.

[Mike Temporale]

It's interesting that Verizon took the Q and launched it in a huge splash of fanfare. But the PanTech got nothing much at all. Sure the devices hit different markets segments, but it would have been nice to see a little something behind this device.

[Kris Kumar]

Even more pathetic is the photo that Verizon (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&amp;action=viewPhoneDetail&amp;selectedPhoneId=2769&amp;changingCompletedOrder=) has on its site for this decent looking flip phone. :roll: They could have at least posted a better quality photo. It looks like a spy photo of the unit was selected for the main site.

[onlydarksets]

It is a decent sized phone, but it looks like all of the other cheap flip phones offered by Verizon. I was at the store yesterday, and the Pantech got completely lost among those low-end phones.

[MrTek]

Well I picked up the PN820 the first day it was out and currently I love it. I have been drooling for a flip phone with WinMo for YEARS. The last of it's kind on the big V wa the sCH-i600 which was a beast, and the 640 never appeared. It certainly won't win any beauty contests, but as far as functional, it wins hands down.

Overall I can't complain about much except for the external antennae. Considering this phone has been poking it's head up for a release LAST year, it's not surprising.

I just purchased the belt clip and extended battery yesterday, as I was finding my battery life dying during the day. Not because of poor lifeo f the phone, but because there is so much I can do with my phone now, that I find myself using it more and more. The ext battery adds alot of weight to the phone, but not THAT much more thickness to be annoying.

I just wish it had GPS or Wifi (Though I do have a data plan).

If only VZW would allow Blackberry connect on this phone I'd be thrilled as well, as I hate my BB8700C for work mail. The Windows Live client allows you to get Push mail from your live mail account for free (Data charges from carrier apply), and to always be on Live messenger. The Voice clip feature is awesome while driving :)

I did contact UTstarcom about a possible OS upgrade to WinMo 6. They said one had not been planned, but that an update will be posted for the PN820 in May. They did not say what the update addressed.

You can find a ton of information on the PN80 wiki at http://www.pn820wiki.com

and a discussion on HowardForums seems the best so far: http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1023203

[encece]

My brother-in-law has this phone. I think it feels kind of cheap. Also...I think this is the first Smartphone without the standard Smartphone button configuration...which makes me think that this phone wasn't supposed to be a WM phone....but rather an afterthought. Which may be why it was kind of quietly released.

[Kris Kumar]

You can find a ton of information on the PN80 wiki at http://www.pn820wiki.com

and a discussion on HowardForums seems the best so far: http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1023203

Thanks for providing these links. Welcome to Smartphone Thoughts.

[Mike Temporale]

I think this is the first Smartphone without the standard Smartphone button configuration...

Standard Smartphone button? Do you mean the home and back keys? What does it have in place of those?

[eleazar]

I think this is the first Smartphone without the standard Smartphone button configuration.

I love that it doesn't have standard buttons. I had a Treo 700wx before the PN-820 and I can type about 3-4x faster with T9 than with a full qwerty keyboard. But as for the standard smartphone buttons (ie. back button, it has HOME), I haven't had any problems adapting to standard phone buttons. This is my first smartphone, and it was kind of nice to have an easy transition from an old regular phone (ie. LG vx8000), I could just pick it up and navigate as needed.

On a side note, one of the biggest complaints we have with the 820 is the backlight timeout settings. Right now the backlight turns off within 2-3 seconds on the keypad and the screen once a call is placed. It is rather infuriating. But hopefully we will have a hack for that sometime soon. :)

Oh and there are much higher quality pictures posted on the wiki.