Pantech Discover review: Unlikely hero

Messaging has all bases covered

The Pantech Discover's messaging department, unsurprisingly, boasts a rich functionality. Messages can be arranged by a date or contact name. Adding multimedia to a message automatically turns it into MMS.

Messaging has your back

Moving on to email, the Gmail app supports batch operations, which allows multiple emails to be archived, labeled or deleted. Multiple Gmail accounts are also supported. The latest major update finally can fit messages to the device's screen, as well as gives you the option to zoom in on them.

The Gmail app

There is also a generic email app for all your other email accounts and it can support multiple POP or IMAP inboxes. You have access to the original folders that are created online, side by side with the standard local ones such as inbox, drafts and sent items.

The generic email app

In terms of text entry, you have two options out of the box in the Pantech Discover - an Android keyboard from the manufacturer, as well as the award-winning SwiftKey keyboard. The latter is arguably the best input method for Android, so we were pleased to see it preinstalled - it saves you a couple of dollars.

The text input options

Android ICS gallery

The Discover uses the standard Android ICS gallery. The gallery automatically locates the images and videos no matter where they are stored. It even imports the online photos from your Google Picasa web albums.

The gallery

Little about the Gallery should surprise you - aside from displaying full-res images and the addition of the two-finger tilt zoom, there's nothing new really. And don't you worry, the double tap and pinch zoom are still there.

Two-finger tilt zoom works much like the name suggests. You touch the screen with two fingers and as soon as you start tilting it, it will zoom in or out according to the tilting motion.

Music player

The standard music player of the Pantech Discover has all the functionality you will ever need. You have equalizer presets at your disposal, as well as the option to create your own. 3D sound effects are also on tap.

The music player

When playing, you can access the player straight from your homescreen without unlocking it. Naturally, it is also available in the notification area once you do.

The music player can be accessed through the notification area

A capable video player

The video player offers a simple list-based interface. It displays all video files stored on the phone and you can sort them by name, date, type or size. The video player also remembers the last viewed position of the video, so you can resume exactly where you left off.

The video player interface

The Pantech Discover's video player offers pop-up play too - a move taken straight from the Samsung Galaxy S III playbook. In the case of the Discover, it is called mini videos.

Mini videos works as expected

The Pantech Discover handled all major video formats without breaking a sweat. Large files were also a go, due to the beefy CPU and chipset. Be aware though, that the 720p LCD display eats into the battery quickly.

The dual audio speakers are a great companion to the video player. They offer great sound experience when watching videos in a casual setting.