The Pantech Renue is a compact QWERTY messaging phone for AT&T.
Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica is a passionate content strategist and team leader across the CNET family of brands. She leads a number of teams, including commerce, performance optimization and the copy desk. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on the iPhone and Samsung devices. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds.
Jessica began her leadership role managing CNET's How To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones to home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick in the UK.
The Pantech Renue is a small handset by today's standards, but you won't have to worry about the messaging phone and its QWERTY keyboard protruding from your pocket.
2 of 6Josh Miller/CNET
QWERTY
Messaging is a central task, which makes its keyboard of the utmost importance. Though compact, it was comfortable and well-appointed, even if the keys were a bit flat to my liking. The application icons are large and finger-friendly.
3 of 6Josh Miller/CNET
Top view
I do like the 3.5 millimeter headset jack on the phone, which makes it music-friendly since you can pop in any standard headset.
4 of 6Josh Miller/CNET
Camera could use some work
The 3-megapixel camera disappoints with blocky photos leached of color. Videos were even worse, with a pixelated playback.
5 of 6Josh Miller/CNET
Micro-SIM card
A micro-SIM card joins the battery and microSD card slot beneath the nicely textured back cover.
6 of 6Josh Miller/CNET
Width
The Renue measures just under 0.5 inch thick, which isn't bad considering its concealed keyboard. It's fairly heavy for its size, but that translates into durability.
