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The Pantech Breakout has positioned itself as the cheapest ticket to the LTE train, but it's not exactly "budget."
This manifests itself in the hefty-for-a-cheap-phone price tag of $100, as well in the quality of the phone's construction. It's no iPhone - but it does usually cut the right corners.
We Disliked
Certain cut corners, like the absence of an LED Flash just seem too drastic. And speaking of drastic, we can't stand the overflowing tray of bloatware that we can't get off the phone.
We know these subsidize the cost of the phone in one way or another, but we quiver at the misleading subscription-based apps and trial versions some beginner smartphone users will have to sift through (or worse, unknowingly purchase) after unboxing their phone.
The battery is unsurprisingly heinous, but for those who don't mind switching the LTE on and off, they'll be able to power through the day.
We Liked
Like a puppy that keeps making messes everywhere, we just can't stay mad at the Pantech Breakout. Sure, it's an overall mediocre phone but it doesn't have any reservations about that.
Solid build quality and a just-right price make it feel like a winner, and the Pantech overlay takes dozens of our favorite parts from other mobile OS's (and did we mention that smooth lock screen?).
While the 1GHZ Snapdragon processor isn't top of the line, it was perfectly fast for everyday tasks.
Verdict
If you've just got to save money - but have LTE - this is the best phone to do it with. The Pantech Breakout is a mixed bag, but so long as you aren't trying to pit it against the best-in-class, and you can live with some almost ludicrous shortcomings, the phone's well-worth the asking price.
