REVIEW: Samsung Instinct

By Digihead

Pros: awesome GPS function, easy to use touch screen interface, nice amount of accessories, Live Search function, NFL Mobile Live, My Account allows you to look up current info like billing and usage, decent price and cheap plan (I have everything plan $69/mth) compared to iPhone

Cons: no camera flash, no auto correct for texting (even the Q has that), no multi-touch, calendar usability, only demo games, Sprint/Samsung badging reduces screen size

Summary: Sprint and Samsung have put forth a media blitz touting the new Instinct as the iPhone killer. Having owned mine for about a month now, I have yet to convince my iPhone using friends that my phone is superior. Lack of Wi-Fi, the open source they use to find all their cool games/tools and the fact that some functions are similar to Apple functions help back their case. The GPS and the several times they have not been able to search the internet on their highly touted G3 capabilities add couple points to my side of the scoreboard. Moving from the Motorola Q, I am more than pleased with the Instinct, just not completely happy.

courtesy: freerainbow FLICKR

Samsung Instinct "Favs" (shouldn't it be Faves?)

The Good

Navigation/Live Search - This is by far the best feature of the phone. Combined with the Live Search function, the device is well worth the price. I use the nav to go to restaurants just a few miles away so I can see different routes and streets I wasn't aware of. It is very accurate and comes up with all kinds of info as far as restaurants, banks, stores, etc. Saving favorite locations, such as a friend's house, or favorite place is to eat, is very convenient as well. So far, the voice guided turn by turn nav has got me lost once, and it was partially my fault for turning too early. You can even send maps or directions to friends with nav capabilities, in case they get lost on the way to meet you at the club or dinner.

NFL Mobile - As a huge football fan, this free feature is awesome. You can customize it with your favorite team (Chicago Bears, if you weren't paying attention), and can even get text alerts for things like injury and scoring updates. View team or league stats, watch video highlights or listen to live game audio from both the visiting and home teams (great feature if you have favorite game announcers; also nice for loud bars where you might not be able to hear the sounds of the game over the crowd). Keep track of all the games with the scoreboard feature. Overall, a great feature for any football fan.

Voicemail - I like this feature so much I cannot remember what it is like to dial a number, punch in a password, wait for the date and time of the call, then listen to the voicemail. The onscreen info about the message appears in chrono order giving you date, time and caller details. Pausing, reversing or forwarding the voicemail with just the touch of a finger is much nicer than remembering if pressing 4 or 8 does the same thing.

Contacts - The amount of info you can apply to a contact is very impressive. And being able to see a large photo of the person calling is great, as the Q did not allow it. You can have multiple numbers, emails, website and an address for each contact. Very nice as a counter to not being able to sync your calendars or Outlook.

The Average

The Music Player - iTunes-like interface with an average player, shows artist information when available. The thing I like best about this feature is the music store, which allows you to download free songs with the Free Songs This Week option. No top 25 hits on this list, but a nice way to discover new music.

Call Quality - Clarity thus far has been fine. Speaker phone works better than most phones I've had. Only one dropped call on my end. Have not tried a call with the headpiece on.

Favorites - Nice to be able to customize one of the first menus you see. But one or two clicks deeper into the menus is not that big a deal either.

Camera - The 2.0 MP camera takes nice photos, but how hard would it have been to put a flash on it? I'm sure future generations of the Instinct will have it, but give me a break. Even my Q had flash. The lack of editing functions does not affect me.

courtesy: http://www.brighthand.com

Samsung Instinct keyboard: Fat digits need not type here

The Disappointing

Video - I have only tried to watch a few videos on this phone, but am unimpressed with the quality thus far. Perhaps if I waited for it to buffer longer the quality would improve, but I didn't wait around to find out.

Charging the battery - I often use the USB connection when working on my laptop, but it shuts the power to the phone off (or puts it in saving mode, haven't figure that out yet). Have not got a vehicle charger yet, so don't know if it does the same thing. The small case charger thing it comes with is helpful. Having to push the power button EVERY time I need to get into the phone worries me, hope it is built strong. I would consider the battery life average, especially coming from the disappointing battery of the Q.

Texting - I don't consider my fingers large, but they must be, because I cannot get through a text without touching the wrong letter. Adjusting the touch sensitivity has not seemed to change the problem. Using the stylus, which I've already lost, seemed to help a bit. Ladies with long fingernails may have an easier time, I am guessing.

Specifications