Pantech Element Comparison Thread

After trying out the Galaxy Tab, the Xyboard 8.2, & Sony Tablet S in recent days, I finally settled on this new tablet...and so far I couldn't be happier with my choice.

The resolution is 1024 x 768, so *not* widescreen like every other android tablet out there. The tablets weight is listed as +16oz, however, its ipad-esque form factor really doesn't feel at all heavy. Holding the tablet one-handed in either landscape or portrait is equally comfortable.

Obviously the dpi isn't as high or crisp as other tablets, nevertheless the overall quality of the screen--in terms of viewing angles, uniformity of the backlighting, etc.--is superb. It's much better than the Xyboard and on par with the Sony Tablet S.

I can't speak to benchmarks or 3d gaming performance. However, in everyday multi-tabbed web browsing, ebook reading, music & video playing/streaming, the dual core 1.5ghz snapdragon runs everything smoothly with no lagginess.

Its pretty much stock Honeycomb with custom-designed back, home, and recent app buttons in the status bar along with an aesthetically-pleasing custom font for the tray clock. Bloatware is 'average', a lot of AT&T specific apps, a few games, and a couple of pantech created apps.

Haptic feedback is not something I ever use in smartphones & tablets, so I disabled it right way. Likewise, no idea if the waterproof claims are accurate and hopefully will never need to find out.

So yeah quick conclusion: pantech's first go at a tablet = good. Hopefully the company properly supports the device and comes out with timely updates, if needed, + upgrades it to ICS soon.

I picked the Pantech Element up last week, and I have been very pleased so far. If you have specific questions or comments, let me know. I will do my best.

I agree with hspdion. I've tried the Transformer, Xyboard, Iconia, and Galaxy 10.1. All those are $350+. I went to ATT to get my son the Pantech Burst, and walked out with the Burst and Element for $250+ tax.

This tab, for basically $200, is awesome! It has LTE, which is superfast. Fits in my hand well, has very little lag, if any. Just wish I could get root access for it. Get TBU on it and freeze the stuff I'll never use.

The biggest downfall...lack of accessories. Hopefully they'll start rolling out soon. All depends on how well it sells I guess.

davidusr said:

I agree with hspdion. I've tried the Transformer, Xyboard, Iconia, and Galaxy 10.1. All those are $350+. I went to ATT to get my son the Pantech Burst, and walked out with the Burst and Element for $250+ tax.

This tab, for basically $200, is awesome! It has LTE, which is superfast. Fits in my hand well, has very little lag, if any. Just wish I could get root access for it. Get TBU on it and freeze the stuff I'll never use.

The biggest downfall...lack of accessories. Hopefully they'll start rolling out soon. All depends on how well it sells I guess.

Click to expand...

David,

I'm new to Tablets and smart phones (still have a flip phone) however we just got a Element. If by "root access" you mean getting to the system folders on the Tablet, I downloaded an app last night that allows you to this as well as manage your sd card, images, apps and other things all from the app. I

Hi, I am very interested in this tablet--it fits all of my requirements. I am wondering how it is as an e-reader. Some of the reviews I've read say the text is not as crisp. Would that tire your eyes after a while? It seems like an amazing value--4G, expandable, waterproof. I remember that I trashed my macbook about three months after purchase with a diet coke.

My one hesitation is that I have never had an android, and am kind of intimidated by the OS. I find the ipad expensive, even though I love all things Apple.

Hi Andyopie,
Yes, I have seen it, and I liked it. I didn't see text next to a different model with text, though. I thought perhaps that someone might have more experience with it than I.

Root it...I have read that rooting lets in all of the malware aps. I don't even know what rooting means, or terminal emulator. Maybe this will be too much of a learning curve.

Actually, sodor, it's the opposite.

Rooting your tablet or phone, will give you the capability to remove carrier installed malware, bloatware, etc.

I've had my Pantech Element for about a week now, and I love it! What I like: it's very fast, doesn't lag, can be used as an ereader that is easy on the eyes, and the 8 in size is big enough to work well, but small enough to fit in my purse. It also has space for a micro sd card to expand the storage, a hdmi connection, and a micro usb port. All things that the ipad2 does not have.

What I don't like: The att boot-up screen takes forever, all of the att apps that I will never use and can't delete, and there is no cover case that I care for. I got the one by Body Glove, but it seems like it adds some weight. I may end up making my own. I thought the battery life would be better, but I have done a lot of Angry Birds, and I think that is the culprit. The touch screen takes some getting used to.

Android has not been very difficult to learn, and I am still perplexed about how some things work, especially with navigation. Mostly, I'm pretty happy. I really have nothing to compare it with though, except my 5 year old macbook. Technology has certainly advanced since then.

Just an update...my (first) Pantech element died on day 13. Fortunately, Att has a 14 day return plan. The second one just died today, on day 10. What are the chances? I'm not sure if it is just bad luck or if the Pantech is a lemon, but I don't think I will get another one, even if they want to replace it. the only other one they have is the Samsung Galaxy 8.9, and it is way more expensive.

They don't know. They said that they have had no similar problems. Because two of them died, I wonder if I did something to cause it. No kids or pets in the house, I didn't drop it, did nothing but use it a lot.

Does anyone have any guesses? I did use a power strip to plug them in, but they charged fine. Except when they died.

It seemed that they were getting harder and harder to turn on. I had to press the start button on the first one longer each time to get it to start. The day it died I could not get it to turn on, and took it back to att. When I got there, it was on the boot-up att screen, and wouldn't even turn off. It got very hot.

The second one just didn't turn on one day. Took it back to att and they couldn't get it to start up either. I have two other laptops and use two different plugs for charging, one in the bedroom and one in the living room. I have never had a problem with either of them.

As I am describing this, it sounds like it was a bad connection with the start button on both. They both seemed to charge normally and at the same rate.