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Touch-screen Instinct is among Sprint's best handsets
- Good web browser
- Easy-to-use interface
- Virtual QWERTY keyboard easy to use
- Excels as a GPS device
- Below-average camera
- No built-in IM client
- Sluggish touch screen
- No Wi-Fi
The Samsung Instinct is Samsung's first response to the immensely popular Apple iPhone 3G. This is the phone that started the wave of iPhone clones, and most reviewers commend Samsung for its efforts with the Instinct. Sprint's flagship touch-screen phone is thinner than the iPhone at 4.57 inches by 2.17 inches by 0.49 inches -- although its 3.25-inch display is noticeably smaller. Most experts admire the Instinct's intuitive user interface, even if it is not quite as stunning as the iPhone's. Haptic feedback (vibration when buttons are pushed) is a welcome addition, and Sprint's GPS navigation is helpful in real-world situations.
Critics tout the Samsung Instinct as a worthy budget alternative to the iPhone. Its price point is about $100 less, and Sprint's data plans are also much cheaper than those required for the iPhone on AT&T. IPhone comparisons aside, the Instinct stands out for its excellent call quality and texting abilities with a virtual QWERTY keyboard and a capable full HTML web browser. Connectivity is fast through Sprint's EVDO data network, but the Samsung Instinct is not Wi-Fi-capable. The Instinct's 2-megapixel camera is called "underwhelming" by the PhoneArena.com team due to its lack of autofocus and limited user options. Also absent is a built-in IM client -- a feature present in many other phones in this class. Users aren't completely impressed with the music player, which on one particular occasion struggled to identify the artwork and song titles of an entire album.
If you are a current subscriber to Sprint's network, reviewers say that you'd be hard pressed to come across a better device than the Samsung Instinct. Those primarily concerned with texting, however, might find a better alternative in the LG Lotus. Two siblings of the Instinct exist -- the Samsung Behold (T-Mobile) and the Samsung Eternity (AT&T). All three handsets have similar features.
The majority of reviews for the Samsung Instinct pit it against Apple's iPhone. CNET, InfoSync, PCMag.com and PhoneArena.com put the Instinct through rigorous tests to discover its strengths and shortcomings. Kent German's report for CNET is straightforward, while the Phone Arena team provides a more thorough assessment full of screen shots. More direct comparisons to the iPhone are present at Consumer Reports and About.com. The assortment of user reviews at PhoneScoop.com is fairly in-depth. Owners are happy with the Instinct overall, but admit it lacks the wow factor of the iPhone.
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Our Sources
1. CNET
In this well-written report, CNET's Kent German takes a look at what he calls "the first cell phone we've seen that throws some direct competition Apple's way." German praises the Instinct for its GPS and messaging capabilities, but criticizes it for a lack of Wi-Fi and unimpressive web browser.
Review: Samsung Instinct (SPH-M800) -- Black, Kent German, June 17, 2008
Consumer Reports offers a direct comparison between the Samsung Instinct and Apple iPhone (*est. $200). While editor Mike Gikas likes the Instinct for current subscribers to the Sprint network, he points out that there are other options out there, such as the LG Voyager (*est. free with new contract) and Samsung Glyde (*est. $50).
Review: Samsung Instinct: A Budget iPhone Alternative, Mike Gikas, July 3, 2008
3. About.com
In another head-to-head comparison between the Samsung Instinct and Apple iPhone 3G, About.com's Adam Fendelman says, "The iPhone 3G is in a league above." Even so, he rates the Instinct as Sprint's best handset by far. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Samsung Instinct Review for Sprint vs. iPhone 3G for AT&T, Adam Fendelman
Philip Berne of InfoSync asks if the Samsung Instinct can hold its own without a comparison to the Apple iPhone. Although he pans the Instinct's 2-megapixel camera and sluggish interface, he does praise the very capable built-in web browser.
Review: Samsung Instinct Review, Philip Berne, June 7, 2008
5. PCMag.com
PCMag.com's Sascha Segan provides his thoughts on the Samsung Instinct's claim that it's an "iPhone killer." He prefers the Instinct's call quality, but docks a few points for its slightly less intuitive user interface.
Review: Samsung Instinct (Sprint), Sascha Segan, June 6, 2008
At PhoneArena.com, the Samsung Instinct is designated as an award winner. Although it lacks an IM client and its camera performance is "underwhelming," editors here love its virtual QWERTY keyboard and -- unlike some reviewers -- the responsiveness of the Instinct's display.
Review: Samsung Instinct Review, Editors of PhoneArena.com, June 21, 2008
A good collection of user reviews for the Samsung Instinct can be found at PhoneScoop.com. The Instinct receives a collective score of 3.95 out of five stars as of this writing. Owners generally compliment its GPS and web browser, but prefer the Apple iPhone 3G's superior touch screen.
Review: Samsung Instinct M800, Contributors to PhoneScoop.com
