Pantech Element: A Rugged Android Tablet Done Right

There is simply no perfect tablet computer on the market right now. There are some notable contenders out there, and the Pantech Element is one of them. The Pantech Element's design and performance is in line with most other Android tablets currently on the market and it even overcomes some of the Apple iPad's few flaws. What makes the Element a stand-out is the rugged, waterproof design and the price.

It's unique design and features, when combined with AT&T's LTE wireless network, come together to form a very competitive and sexy tablet. Granted, this is Pantech's first tablet, so it is yet to be seen how the support and build will pan out over the necessary 2 year contract term, but if first impressions are worth anything - this will be a stand out device. With many hours invested in it already, I am not disappointed.

The Design of the Pantech Element

When I first saw the Pantech Element in the AT&T store, the first thing I noticed was that it has the same dimensions as the Apple iPad. The screen is not wide-screen like the Asus or Samsung tablets, it has a screen aspect ratio of 4:3 and a resolution of 1024 x 768. This has the effect of making it look a bit smaller and easier to handle then the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 or 7.7. It only ways 16 ounces so you avoid the hand fatigue that comes with the Xoom, iPad or Transformer series. It fits very squarely in your hands, and typing with your thumbs is very easy. It is just about 8 inches wide and 6 inches tall in landscape mode, and it is only .4 inches thick.

The second thing I noticed was the port covers and the expansion ports they protect. This rugged tablet features a micro USB and micro USB port, a micro SD slot, and a SIM card slot. The speaker is front facing as is one of its two cameras. There is also a 3.5 inch headphone jack that sits behind a port cover. This built-in OtterBox type protection helps to give the Pantech Element its IP57 certification. This certification ensures that it is safe when submerged in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. I don't plan on doing that, but it is nice to know that if my son spills his juice on it, it is not ruined.

Lastly, I noticed the rubberized and rugged back panel that covers a carbon-fiber structure. When held, it feels sturdy and strong. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Tab, I was not able to flex or bend the unit at all. If you buy a tablet on contract, you are looking at owning the device for two years, and the Pantech Element helps you feel comfortable with that level of commitment.

The Performance of the Pantech Element

The Pantech Element was released with Android 3.2 Honeycomb, but an upgrade to Android 4.0 has been promised. From what I can tell, the device will not have any problem running the newest operating system Google has to offer. I played with The Pantech Element and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 sidde-by-side for over an hour before making a decision. Yes, the IP57 certification is unique and sexy, and the size is perfect, but what makes a tablet useful is its speed. In every situation, the Pantech Element outperformed the Samsung Galaxy Tab. It booted up from a cold start over 3 seconds faster, pages load faster in all browsers, videos loaded faster and games loaded much faster. After a cold start, The Element bench-marked at 3000+ (Quadrant) repeatedly, while the Galaxy Tab ranged from 1700 - 2200. After a cold boot, the Element had more available memory, and less CPU usage. It is simply a faster device. And, in real-world testing, I have consistently ran 2 days between charges on its 6400 mAh battery.

I found the disparity between the two devices interesting, because they both feature a 1.5 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdraggon CPU, and 1 GB of RAM. I attribute the inclusion of the Samsung TouchWhiz shell to the poor Samsung performance. The Element is nearly stock Android with the exception of some AT&T specific applications and some unique system fonts. Overall, the Pantech Element is better built, faster, and runs software with less overhead.

It does run on AT&T's LTE network, so if you are in one of the lucky networks that has 4G connectivity, you will have WiFi like network performance at all times. For Pantech's first Foray into the tablet computer arena, it is a stellar device.

Overall Impressions of the Pantech Element

I ran several other tests, including testing of the 5 mega-pixel back-side camera and 2 mega-pixel front-facing camera and photos are consistently fantastic. I also let it sleep with WiFi on and off, and I have yet to have a "sleep of death" issue that tends to come bundled with Android 3.2. Before I left the store I put it through its paces and it shines. The best part was that the device only cost $299 on contract or $449 without a contract. Yes, that is right, the Pantech Element has a cost that rivals many WiFi only tablets, but it has built in 4G speeds.

The Element also sports traditional HDMI and USB connections, and so there are no special connectors or dongles necessary. The micro SD card slot allows it to be upgraded. These are two features that the Samsung tablets cannot touch.

Now that the tablet has been in my hands for a while, I am still in love with it. I am a bit timid though. I am hoping that Pantech proves reliable when it comes to updates, and that accessory providers realize how good the device is and start to pump out some great add-ons. It feels like a smaller iPad in my hands, and runs Android just as smooth as a larger device. It is comfortable, responsive and rugged. Overall, the Pantech Element is a great tablet at a great price.