JP
The AT&T QuickFire fell into our hands briefly, and while we didn’t have time to do the usual in-depth SlashGear review, we thought you might be interested in our first-impressions of this Sidekick-styled handset. Formerly known as the UTStarcom Knick, the QuickFire is a quadband GSM, triband UMTS slider with a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen display; slide that up, and there’s a full QWERTY keyboard.
More AT&T QuickFire photos after the cut
Other specifications include Bluetooth with A2DP wireless stereo support, a 1.3-megapixel camera capable of stills and video, and integrated AGPS. The messaging client supports POP3 and webmail accounts, as well as the usual SMS and MMS, plus there’s a separate IM app. The QuickFire has around 29MB of internal storage, with a microSD slot to expand that; it measures a compact 4.3 x 2.2 x 0.7 inches and weighs 4.8oz, making it smaller (in all but thickness) and lighter than the Sidekick 2008.
AT&T Navigator is preloaded, and the QuickFire will work with the carrier’s streaming video services. We found the keyboard to be reasonable to type on, as the bulk of the shaved width over the Sidekick is lost from the end panels, not QWERTY space. However the lined-up keys make for the slower learning curve when you first pick up the QuickFire and start pecking.
The resistive touchscreen seems responsive, with large – if a little bland – icons; it’s larger than that of the Sidekick, by 0.2-inches, but lower resolution at 320 x 240 versus 400 x 240. Still, it was clear enough to keep IM conversations going, and the fact that you can touch it to navigate (rather than use a D-pad or trackball) keeps things moving quickly. Of course, the QuickFire lacks the Sidekick’s server-based support system (which stores emails, compresses data for the Sidekick’s browser, maintains IM login even when the phone itself is out of coverage, and generally keeps an ongoing backup) but the faster 3G speeds of the AT&T handset make things like on-the-fly browser reformatting less of an issue. The QuickFire uses the full-HTML Polaris Browser v.6, which supports finger dragging navigation and zoom control; it’s not as slick as some of the smartphone browsers we’ve seen, but it does a reasonable job.
Sightings of the AT&T QuickFire have been few and far between; we’ve had reports of one small-town retailer getting them in stock, while other AT&T stores are still waiting. It’s not yet shown up on AT&T’s site, either. We’d recommend calling your local store before making the trip out; the official release date is November 10th, priced at $149.99 with a $50 mail-in rebate and new, two-year agreement.
49 Responses to “AT&T QuickFire SlashGear First-Impressions”
Stefff=] November 9, 2008
Okay. I am going to see if it’s in the mentor location of ohio today. I’m looking between this and the Samsung Propel..Does anyone know which one is a better deal for a 12 year old who texts 24/7 ? ? ? ? ? well i tell you if it i sout today or 2morrow. =]
+2Stefff=] November 9, 2008
also this phone looks nice. I hear the touchscreen is above average…if that helps.
+2Erica T November 9, 2008
[quote comment="53958"]also this phone looks nice. I hear the touchscreen is above average…if that helps.[/quote]
+3“i’ve had my hands on the propel and the buttons are way too small! I as well am a 12 yr old and my twin sis who texts 24/7 just got the pantech matrix and she loves it. But im going to get the quickfire. Hope that helps.”
Kristin November 9, 2008
I bought the Quickfire yesterday, and it is great, especially if your a texter. Lots of features, except I recommend getting the Unlimited Media data plan, its only $15 a month and pretty much well worth it. The touchscreen is great, the camera is so so but that is definitely not something I’m concerned about. I love it and it is so lightweight! And way smaller in real life than in the pictures. Oh and get the green one, the others aren’t as attractive :o)
+4LMD November 9, 2008
[quote comment="53957"]Okay. I am going to see if it’s in the mentor location of ohio today. I’m looking between this and the Samsung Propel..Does anyone know which one is a better deal for a 12 year old who texts 24/7 ? ? ? ? ? well i tell you if it i sout today or 2morrow. =][/quote]
+3…why does a 12 year old need a cell phone?
John Marcum November 10, 2008
probally to call people on dumb dick.
-3J.O. November 10, 2008
Is it me or this QuickFire looks suspiciously like the G1? I know they are quite different devices, but I can see some design similarities.
+3Matt November 10, 2008
[quote comment="53997"][quote comment="53957"]Okay. I am going to see if it’s in the mentor location of ohio today. I’m looking between this and the Samsung Propel..Does anyone know which one is a better deal for a 12 year old who texts 24/7 ? ? ? ? ? well i tell you if it i sout today or 2morrow. =][/quote]
+4…why does a 12 year old need a cell phone?[/quote]
I had a cell phone when i was 12 (I’m bout to be 15 now) for emergencies, and eventually for daily uses, such as talking, texting, etc. i think its reasonable for a kid to have a cell phone this day in time.
Broggy November 10, 2008
Yeah, let’s leave the parenting criticisms out of it. I think this phone looks perfect for me. I’ve gotten quite used to predictive text but I think it’s finally time to move on to a qwerty keyboard. My RAZR is awful at trying to figure out what I want to type and forgets words that I use all the time, not to mention it is the slowest device I’ve ever used. I was looking at the Pantech Matrix and Samsung Propel also. I don’t much like the looks of the Matrix (too cluttered) but I also don’t like the tiny keys on the Samsung. The Quickfire has a larger keyboard plus a larger screen with touch capability. I don’t have any use for push mail or Office apps so this phone seems like a winner to me. I just hope the OS runs quicker than my RAZR. Only 100 bucks too! Now if only I could find one…
+5happy November 10, 2008
does anyone know when this will be on the at&t website? and how much will it be if i dont buy it with the 2 year contract because i am in the middle of my contract because i need a new phone because i hate the pantech duo
+1: ) November 11, 2008
ohkayy ;;
+1please HELP.
i liek that propel phone
but i also like the quickfire.
i have not seen it on yet,
bc in store it was not on display
anyway,
can u HELP.
i dont know which to pickk?
: ) November 11, 2008
[quote comment="54048"]does anyone know when this will be on the at&t website? and how much will it be if i dont buy it with the 2 year contract because i am in the middle of my contract because i need a new phone because i hate the pantech duo[/quote]
+1they are in stores now.
sat. i saw.i it,
andd they told my mom is was liek 200 just the phone and 150
or sometthing liek that
Conor November 12, 2008
I Have the quickfire and i am completely amazed with it. i have used every aspect of this phone and love it. the keyboard is easy to type on. and in IM you can switch from AIM to yahoo to msn with one click of one button. this phone is very well designed for texting and IMing as well as web browsing and youtube and mobile email.
also a cool feature is the camera button is on the top so you hold it longways and the button is under your right pointer finger… (just exactly like a real camera)
also the phone is responsive and never slow…..
+1crystal November 12, 2008
[quote comment="53997"][quote comment="53957"]Okay. I am going to see if it’s in the mentor location of ohio today. I’m looking between this and the Samsung Propel..Does anyone know which one is a better deal for a 12 year old who texts 24/7 ? ? ? ? ? well i tell you if it i sout today or 2morrow. =][/quote]
…why does a 12 year old need a cell phone?[/quote]
A 12 year old needs to have a cell phone to communicate with friends (for them). But for me as a parent, I just feel better about going on outings and malls and such just incase we’re seperated. We go to Disney and Universal just about every weekend and I have little worries. If something were to happen to her at the parks or anywhere else, I’d be grateful that she has a phone on her. She can call 911 in an emergency or me. Its just piece of mind for me in this crazy world we live in. You may be fine with sending your babies out in the world with no way to contact authorities or parents if necessary, but some of us need to know that our children have that extra bit of protection.
+1Danielle November 15, 2008
I’m thinking about getting this phone in December.
I was thinking about the iPhone, but that’s not great for texting, which is my top priority.
As a few have said, the Propel & this go hand in hand.
I’ll probably get this as I was hoping for a touch screen..
For $99 it’s very reasonable.
Anyone have pros/cons on the product?
+1Kala Poole November 16, 2008
okay! i dont know why yall are discussing parenting crap over cell phone reviews. that is ridiculous.. but anyways i think im gonna get this phone. i am a huge texter and i currently have a razr. it sucks! but the quickfire looks big… like im holding a brick to my ear. lol. i hear it has a touch screen which is like awesome.. a slide qwerty keyboard..gps… well just bout everything.. so this one may be winner..
its between this phone, lg shine, pantech matrix, or samsung slider…
any advice???
+2pros? cons?
Olivia Mc November 16, 2008
I want the quickfire so bad!! but my dad said i need to get reviews for itt, so reply with your thoughts about it, i need a new phone asap!! Because mine is falling apart, i only get hand me downs so this would be really nice, so please help me with my problem,
+1Olivia Mc November 16, 2008
DON”T GET THE SLVR!! they are awful. so many dropped calls you can’t hear out of the phone, and noone can hear you because the speaker is where your hand should
+2be!!!! i was so disappointed in this phone,
rose November 16, 2008
does the touchscreen work really well
+2K.B November 27, 2008
i want this phone so badly like i have been lookin at reviews and pics and videos for hours!!!!
but i am gonna have to wait till christmas:( I WANT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+1K.B November 27, 2008
Is it rlly like ev1 says it is?!?!?! cause i dont want to go out and by a crappy phone that only lookss cool. plz reply to me:)))) ttyl bi bi:)!
+1A. Scarseth November 27, 2008
[quote comment="55253"]i want this phone so badly like i have been lookin at reviews and pics and videos for hours!!!!
but i am gonna have to wait till christmas:( I WANT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
Story of my life. I want it so badly, i’ve been watching videos and reading all sorts of reviews and such. I’ve done all the research in the world and it looks like an awesome phone. Everyone in the videos talk about how other people have problems with the touch screen but they haven’t actually had any themselves, which gives me hope. It sort of looks like a brick and I was personally wondering if it’ll fit in a 15 year old girls pocket. That’s my main concern, that and being able to text during school which is a big thing for us teens haha. The QWERTY looks legit and easy enough to type on. I’m not too worried about the camera. I have a digital camera so it’s not too big a deal i don’t use my phone now for pictures. People keep saying that you can’t bluetooth with it, but you can. If you go on the AT&T website and look at the accessories, you’ll find tons of bluetooth head sets for it. Basically this phone is my dream phone and i’m really trying to persuade my ‘rents to get it for me for X-mas…
Hope this helps!
+3Happy Thanksgiving!!!
mo November 30, 2008
alright i really want this phone im getting it for christmas… i cant wait, i text 24/7 and i need a phone thats going to go fast and not be slow. and i love how it has a touchscreen. i cant wait to get it but when i was in the store playing with it when i was texting on it, it went slow??? does it work like that or maybe it was acting up because thats the display one?
+1thomas November 30, 2008
i what this phone so bad! I get on the computer everyday gust to look at it and see if it still there.I like this phone because it has a full Qwerty keyboard and that makes it easy to type with.I can not wait till chismas so i can get it. Because mom and dad are tied of me taking about it.
+1Patrice Warren November 30, 2008
i’m so confused as far as the price goes!!
+1Everywhere I look people are saying that the Quickfire will cost $99.99 if you sign a new 2 year contract agreement. But on the at&t website it’s listed as still costing $149.99 even with a 2 year contract. It says the only way it’ll cost $99.99 is if you do that mail in rebate thing.
HELP! lol
how much does this phone really cost with a 2 year agreement??
sammy November 30, 2008
love the phone bought it yesterday with an unlimited plan lol
+1molly December 2, 2008
hey i have a pantech duo and i h ate it and i want a touch screen do u recomand the quickfire ??
+1Holly December 2, 2008
Does the quickfire phone allow for Wifi, as with the Tilt and Fuze from AT&T? I am considering the Quickfire because it is cheaper, but not if it doesn’t pick up Wifi signal
+1manda December 2, 2008
i really want this phone.
+1i have the pantech duo and i dont use the qwerty
keyboard and sometimes it freezes. and i heard the touchscreen on the quickfire is amazing
KIA December 2, 2008
[quote comment="55257"][quote comment="55253"]i want this phone so badly like i have been lookin at reviews and pics and videos for hours!!!!
but i am gonna have to wait till christmas:( I WANT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
Story of my life. I want it so badly, i’ve been watching videos and reading all sorts of reviews and such. I’ve done all the research in the world and it looks like an awesome phone. Everyone in the videos talk about how other people have problems with the touch screen but they haven’t actually had any themselves, which gives me hope. It sort of looks like a brick and I was personally wondering if it’ll fit in a 15 year old girls pocket. That’s my main concern, that and being able to text during school which is a big thing for us teens haha. The QWERTY looks legit and easy enough to type on. I’m not too worried about the camera. I have a digital camera so it’s not too big a deal i don’t use my phone now for pictures. People keep saying that you can’t bluetooth with it, but you can. If you go on the AT&T website and look at the accessories, you’ll find tons of bluetooth head sets for it. Basically this phone is my dream phone and i’m really trying to persuade my ‘rents to get it for me for X-mas…
Hope this helps!
+1Happy Thanksgiving!!![/quote]
KIA December 2, 2008
omg me 2 story of my life and anwser you’ll have till wait till christmas ugghhh but i luv it 2 wat color should i get though green or orange
+1Carolyn December 4, 2008
Just got this phone and so far so good. The only problem and I don’t think it’s the phone because my husband’s Blackberry is having the same issue is the Navigator. It is not working and running slow, the Navigator that is. I’m getting frustrated with the Navigator. Please fix it… The phone is great.
+1new att cust December 8, 2008
I just picked up this phone yesterday. I switched from tmobile and had a blackberry pearl. Sometimes I feel like the touch screen is non-responsive, but you just have to get used to it… it requires like a quick peck to register, but if you push it like you would push a button it does not respond. the phone lacks customizable menus/icons/apps, and unfortunately does not allow you to delete apps that you do not use (ie yellowpages)… Overall, I am satisfied with the full keyboard, huge screen, and ease of use. the pearl was sweet, but I have minimal use for mobile email.
+1@13X December 10, 2008
dude i want 1 of dese so bad im getten one 4 christmas.wut color shud i get it in?ohh n one mor thing is it really small like pocket small dat no one would notice it?
Neutralamy lee December 11, 2008
kids ae brats these days they get spoiled wayy to much.
-1but i want the quickfire and i always worry about the size to much
it could be a little big to put in your pants
.
k~luh December 12, 2008
[quote comment="55474"]i’m so confused as far as the price goes!!
+1Everywhere I look people are saying that the Quickfire will cost $99.99 if you sign a new 2 year contract agreement. But on the at&t website it’s listed as still costing $149.99 even with a 2 year contract. It says the only way it’ll cost $99.99 is if you do that mail in rebate thing.
HELP! lol
how much does this phone really cost with a 2 year agreement??[/quote]
its 150 with a 2 yr agreement but then if u do the rebate its 50 dollars off so 100 basically
k~luh December 12, 2008
[quote comment="55628"]Does the quickfire phone allow for Wifi, as with the Tilt and Fuze from AT&T? I am considering the Quickfire because it is cheaper, but not if it doesn’t pick up Wifi signal[/quote]
+1i was just looking at all the stuff this phone has and it said it does not have wifi
@13X December 14, 2008
[quote comment="56514"]kids ae brats these days they get spoiled wayy to much.
but i want the quickfire and i always worry about the size to much
it could be a little big to put in your pants
.[/quote]
its actualy not dat big its smaller den de iphone thats 4 sure
its like the size of a i-pod the first one that came out
NeutralTrevor December 14, 2008
Can someone help me?
+1I’ve had this phone for a few weeks and I love it, everything about it is great, but just recently it has been freezing every time I try to use the Media Net feature. Right when I try to do anything related to Media Net it just freezes and I have to take out the battery and start it again. Has anybody had this problem?
Ashley December 21, 2008
just got the quickfire today. seemed liek the nicest and most reasonsably priced of all the new att phones. i was glad to finally be able to get a phone more like what verizon and all the other companies make. compared to these phones though i’m a little dissapointed, my bf got the voyager and it’s def more loaded with features. this phone does the job though. the touch screen def. takes some getting used to and its not too fancy looking. i would love to be able to customize the colors and menus more and delete apps,etc. but i guess you can’t have it all.
+1it’s good for texting, making phone calls, decent camera, and it looks cool.
anyways, one thing i noticed is a software update feature, hopefully as time goes on they’ll update and modernize and add new features.. it is brand new after all and i’m sure has to be tweaked around with. def a cute phone though everyone that seen it seems to like it! and its def a upgrade from any basic t9 phone. and ps i love how it reminds me of a sidekick.. but much nicer design
OrangeQuickfire December 24, 2008
[quote comment="55474"]i’m so confused as far as the price goes!!
Everywhere I look people are saying that the Quickfire will cost $99.99 if you sign a new 2 year contract agreement. But on the at&t website it’s listed as still costing $149.99 even with a 2 year contract. It says the only way it’ll cost $99.99 is if you do that mail in rebate thing.
HELP! lol
how much does this phone really cost with a 2 year agreement??[/quote]
It is 99 after the mail in rebate which means you will pay 149.99 up front and then once you
+1fill out papers and mail them into AT&T you will get a check for 50.00 in the mail
i have been looking at this phone for forever and i am finally ordering one today im sooo
excited. it was between that one and the duo but i like this better outta all the reviews sooo yeahh!
=]
lindsey December 25, 2008
i got one today 4 chistmas and we had to by it without a contract and it was $350.00
+1brittany December 25, 2008
okay im either getting this phone or an pantech duo wich one should i get and why?! help please (:
+1MiMi x33 December 28, 2008
Well ii have da siidekiick I.d and myy dads gonna get me da quick fire problem iis I love gettinq on aiim dats 1 y I have ah sidekick. . I was wonderinq iif da aiim on the quick fire works? Can sOme 1 heLp?
Neutralsurfer453 January 2, 2009
what store can i get this phone at and when u buy it will it have tax
+1kim January 4, 2009
I have this phone – its great for texting — touchscreen is flakey and kind of unresponsive which ticks me off after coming from an iPhone. Camera is complete crap. Web browsing is… HORRIBLE. (But I guess thats to be expected after using safari on the iPhone)… Ummm, CellularTV is cool…. Aim works ok, disconnects alot tho. Can’t add attachments in email, which is crappy…..Had this phone for a week, and already looking to go to something different….Def going to get the bold… no more touchscreens for me, drives me nuts when they lock up and stop responding!
+1Kate January 4, 2009
[quote comment="53961"][quote comment="53958"]also this phone looks nice. I hear the touchscreen is above average…if that helps.[/quote]
“i’ve had my hands on the propel and the buttons are way too small! I as well am a 12 yr old and my twin sis who texts 24/7 just got the pantech matrix and she loves it. But im going to get the quickfire. Hope that helps.”[/quote]
The pantech matrix sucks! don’t get it I just had it and got the quickfire yesterday because the matrix was nothing but trouble, the first phone got a spring loose and then the second one which was a refurbsh one was nothing but problems the screen cracked and then was slow and shut off and then everything on my phone would be deleted. I say to get a quickfire i love it (so far).
+1Stephanie January 10, 2009
I LOVE THIS PHONE! I have had it for a little over a month now and I think it is perfect. If you are the type of person who likes complex phones and touch screens then this is for you. I think the reason i like it is because I had the ipod touch (and i loved that) but it was always so hard for me to type! And whats the point of getting the iphone if you have the itouch? So i got the quickfire! I love how it has a pull out keyboard. It is really easy to handle and once you get used to it its awesome.
+1AR January 10, 2009
Before you buy one of these phones you better read more reviews from other sights as well. I have been researching this phone for awhile and I have came across some very bad reviews. Some trading them for other phones because of defective screens, lack of sensitivity of the touch screens and not enough accessories available.
Check this website out before making your decision.
http://www.crunchgear.com/2008.....quickfire/
There are good reviews but there are alot more bad ones then on this site.
+1