Since the market for phones with built-in hardware keyboards will probably never die, it’s good thing models like the Pantech Swift still exist. It’s a colorful touchscreen handset with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard that’s available at a fairly low price point. Is it the best option for messaging junkies who are working with a tight budget?
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Swift is the fact that it seems to have pretty well-rounded feature set. It has a 2.8-inch QVGA screen, a 2MP camera, Bluetooth, microSD card support, and as mentioned earlier, a full QWERTY keyboard. Unfortunately, these features don’t really work well together. Or at least Pantech was not able to fully integrate them and make the experience of using the Swift as good as it can be.
The Swift is prone to frequent slow downs, barely lasts 4 hours of talk time per charge, and has very limited third-party software support. Though priced quite affordably, most reviewers agree that it is still priced a tad too high for what it offers. The hardware keyboard is a great extra, for sure, but it’s easy to get an overall better phone for the money.
Need to Know: Pantech Swift
1. Has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard behind the full touchscreen display. (The Good)
2. Comes with built-in social networking features. (The Good)
3. Short battery life. (The Bad)
4. Too pricey for what it offers. (The Bad)
What the Critics Are Saying...
- John V., PhoneArenaParents will surely love that the Pantech Swift doesn’t require a data plan, which will obviously help in cutting down costs. However, it’s extremely difficult to like the Pantech Swift at its $69.99 on-contract price point just because it seems to be a bit too bloated for its available set of featu...
- Jessica Dolcourt, CnetWe were certainly able to text reasonably quickly and mostly comfortably, and enjoyed the Swift's navigation.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Pantech Swift user manual here.
Pantech backs up the Swift with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Swift has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Pantech support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Pantech's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Pantech Swift Manual (PDF)
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