Pantech Link

In general, reviewers say they like the Pantech Link. Measuring a slim 0.39 inches thick, the Link's thin profile is one of the first things most critics notice. The domed keys on the full QWERTY keyboard also earn attention, with PhoneScoop.com's Philip Berne describing them as "surprisingly good for an inexpensive messaging phone," though PhoneArena.com editors say backlighting is poor. The Pantech Link is one the first phones that can access AT&T's cloud services, which allow users to back up their address book and other data online. Brad Molen, a blogger at UnwiredView.com, says the Link what its predecessor, the bulky Pantech Slate, "should have been in the first place."

The Pantech Link's 2.4-inch, 320-by-240-pixel display is described as "crisp and colorful" by CNET's Nicole Lee. Most reviewers agree, though PhoneScoop.com's Berne notes the presence of "jagged edges" on images and icons. Reviewers generally say images captured by this 1.3-megapixel camera are unexceptional, though Lendino says quality is "really quite good" for a camera of that caliber. When it comes to the phone's multimedia capabilities, one highly criticized aspect is the lack of a 3.5 mm jack. Its "saving grace," according to UnwiredView.com's Brad Molen, is its support for stereo Bluetooth. Two browsers come loaded onto the Link -- Opera Mini and a Media Net browser. The former, according to PhoneArena.com, provides "a supreme experience," whereas the latter suffers from long load times.

Lendino says the Link's threaded messaging a "useful touch," even as he warns against the mandatory $20 to $35 monthly messaging and data plan. Call quality is clear over 3G, Lendino says, while Berne describes it as "better than average, but not exceptional." Although Lee hears "crackling and hissing" in her tests, she likes the Link's call-recording function. Battery life for the Pantech Link registers at almost six hours for PCMag.com, much longer than the promised three hours.

CNET's review of the Pantech Link discusses the phone's hardware and software features thoroughly. PCMag.com has a shorter take on the Link, warning buyers about AT&T's data plan and other fees. PhoneScoop.com presents a positive review overall, but expresses disappointment over the phone's software. UnwiredView.com and PhoneArena.com also review the Link.