Samsung Intensity II

The Samsung Intensity II is very similar to its predecessor, critics say. The phone has its faults, but CNET's Jessica Dolcourt says it's a "good midrange phone" and notes that its affordability compensates for its shortcomings. The Samsung Intensity II does not require a data plan, like many of Verizon's feature phones, which makes it more appealing, PhoneArena.com editors say. Like Samsung's Blue Earth and Reclaim, the Intensity II is made of recycled components and packaged in a small box that uses soy ink and is composed of 60 percent recycled paper.

Philip Berne at PhoneScoop.com compares the Intensity II's design to the near-identical LG Cosmos, saying it "adds nothing new to the formula" of basic slider phones. However, it "feels sturdier" than its predecessor, PhoneArena.com editors say. Its 2.2-inch, 240-by-320-pixel display is a slight improvement on the original's. Berne says that the screen is colorful, but dim, with a narrow viewing angle. The pictorial screen menu, which Dolcourt describes as "teen-minded," could be better, critics say. Both Dolcourt and PCMag.com's Jamie Lendino find typing on the Intensity II's QWERTY keyboard "quick and easy" and "comfortable," respectively, but  PhoneScoop.com's Berne say it's cramped.

The phone's threaded messaging feature is praised by reviewers, but its email application is said to be clunky and slow, and its basic web browser loads only mobile-optimized sites. The Intensity II is also not 3G-compatible. Call quality receives poor feedback from reviewers, who complain of muddled voices and the like. Battery life, on the other hand, is praised, with tests by CNET, PCMag.com and PhoneArena.com exceeding promised talk time of five hours. Reviewers say they are disappointed that the phone does not have a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack, though it has stereo Bluetooth. Dolcourt describes overall sound quality as "passable, but tinny," while Berne reports connection problems over Bluetooth. The Intensity's II's 1.3-megapixel camera is generally panned, with blurriness being a general complaint.

CNET criticizes some of the phone's aspects, but editors still consider it a good midrange option for teens. PhoneScoop.com's review is more critical. PCMag.com offers a succinct review, and editors say it's a good choice texting phone. Finally, PhoneArena.com editors discuss the phone's features and compare it to the LG Cosmos.