Sprint hits back with the Samsung Instinct

See that? That's the Samsung Instinct, due to hit Sprint in June. Better get used to it, because Sprint's about to start hyping it with the biggest marketing push in its history -- it's going to drop some $100M on this lil' guy. Of course, there's no escaping the comparison to a certain other touchscreen candybar phone, and Sprint's not backing down from a fight -- it's just being willfully obtuse, saying that while the Instinct wasn't developed in response to the iPhone, the company recognized that it needed "a product from a usability standpoint that can compete." Um, sure. Samsung and Sprint worked together to simplify the UI, which features a reconfigurable home screen, music, and TV features, but we're going to hold off judgment until we get a look at the browser in person a little later. One more shot after the break.

[Thanks, Billytickets]

Gallery: Sprint hits back with the Samsung Instinct

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[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 1:17PM]

Why does it look like an iPhone?

[notedoge @ Apr 1st 2008 1:21PM]

where have you been the past 6 months? Everything these days looks like an iphone.

[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 1:22PM]

@ notedoge: I know and I hate it.

[riggs @ Apr 1st 2008 1:24PM]

where have u been the last 7 months, everything looks like the prada phone

[av8or @ Apr 1st 2008 1:32PM]

for like the 80 billionth time, how many realistically possible configurations are there for a full touchscreen phone, uhm, 1?

[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 1:35PM]

@ av8or: complete with chrome like bezel? Keep trying!

[dBs @ Apr 1st 2008 2:10PM]

Wow, we couldn't even go one post, NOT ONE POST, before that drivel was spoken. Do you people have these key binded or something?

[av8or @ Apr 1st 2008 2:39PM]

@retro
its not chrome, its black, the reflections make it look chrome, search up other pics on gizmodo and cnet, so now no phone can have chrome or touchscreen without being compared to the holy paperweight :rolleyes:

[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 2:43PM]

I just hate how companies have to imitate to try to sell a product. It would be nice to see some other company, besides Apple, to come up with something truly unique.

[DonatoM3 @ Apr 1st 2008 2:51PM]

You mean just like Apple copied the design of the case of the phone from other companies that made it before them? Don't get me wrong the Iphone UI is great and changes the cell phone game, but don't kid yourself and think Apple designers weren't influenced by designs of other touch screen phones that came out before them.

[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 3:07PM]

@DonatoM3: interesting...you have any examples of this?

[j @ Apr 1st 2008 3:11PM]

The primary reason why it looks like an iPhone to you is that you obviously lack any knowledge of cellphones that came before the iPhone...

Try reading the article instead of the 1 (really lightly detailed) paragraph Engadget gives you... In the first sentence of a similar article, it gives 3 sources of inspiration (Prada, iPhone, and a previous Samsung device). You can find the link for this other article in the comments, I am too lazy to find it again.

It is also nice to note all of the things this phone does that the iPhone doesn't:
-3G
-GPS
-localized tactile feedback
-stereo bluetooth

The iPhone was a great device a year ago, but the hardware is now stale. When the iPhone 2.0 comes out and copies the above feature list, will you please post that they are copying the Instinct?

[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 3:16PM]

@j: sure I will...thanks for the idea!

[DonatoM3 @ Apr 1st 2008 3:17PM]

http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=2034

As you can see that phone was released in Feb of 07. Way before the Iphone was released or announced.

[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 3:19PM]

Awesome...more fuel for the fire on how I hate Apple.


Anyone waiting for Android devices to hit? I think that will my next "smart phone".

[Quix @ Apr 1st 2008 7:10PM]

"The iPhone was a great device a year ago, but the hardware is now stale. When the iPhone 2.0 comes out and copies the above feature list, will you please post that they are copying the Instinct?" - j

Yes, j, I'm *sure* Apple was just waiting for Samsung to show them what 3G and GPS were. Now that they know, they can blatantly rip-off Samsung by putting 3G and GPS in the next iPhone.

Steve Jobs to iPhone design team: "What's this 3G and GPS stuff Samsung is putting in their new phone? I've never heard of these technologies. Find out what they are and how they work! And put them in the next iPhone! QUICKLY!"

Bwa ha ha ha ha!

The anti-Apple trolls and their delusional fantasies never fail to amuse.

P.S. my iPhone was great a year ago and it's great today. :P

[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 7:17PM]

@quix: grats on the iPhone


btw: this is to everyone: when I say grats, I am being very sarcastic and I am not actually congratulating you on your wiz bang crap.

[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 7:29PM]

I just got word of this new from another cell phone maker:
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/4312/newua9.gif

[jesus caro @ Apr 1st 2008 7:32PM]

@Quix

ugh.
you seriously have no idea what your talking about.
samsung is offering a high end phone without holding out on some of the features then realeasing a 2.0 model with some of the features they left out ect.


this is what apple is doing, and this is what they will continue to do, and this is why hippies like you and everyone at engadget seem to kneel in front of apple.

samsung>apple
thats it.
samsung releases high end electronics that to me seem way more elegant and have better features than say apple who is moneyhungry and just cares about their itunes store

[Quix @ Apr 1st 2008 7:41PM]

"samsung is offering a high end phone without holding out on some of the features then realeasing a 2.0 model with some of the features they left out ect."

@ jesus caro

Oh really? So why didn't Samsung offer all this amazing stuff with one of their older phones? This Samsung will come out at about the same time as the iPhone 2.0, which will almost certainly offer similar features. So...two phones released at the SAME TIME with the SAME FEATURES, and one is version 1.0 and the other is version 2.0 somehow makes the version 1.0 model superior?

Hilarious!

Hey, whatever fuels your burning anti-Apple rage. Go with it.

Note: it seems you're the one that doesn't know what you're talking about.

P.S. if this Samsung is as fantastic and groundbreaking as you seem to believe it is, I'm sure it will dominate the marketplace with ease. LOL.

[jake @ Apr 1st 2008 7:48PM]

Are you the "Why does it have to look like an iPhone?" guy? I looked back at your posts and that's all you posted (or some version of the question) for the last couple of news bits including this one, the HTC Touch Dual, and the Orange Dream. Maybe you are doing this unconciously, so just pay attention next time. I usually don't look at people's profiles, but this time I was just curious to see if you posted that same question before.

[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 7:54PM]

@Jake: its not subconscious...it seems that all kinds of devices are coming out looking like an iPhone [or Prada or whatever]. Just voicing my opinion and hoping that the new Blackberry's dont start looking like iPhones.

[jesus caro @ Apr 1st 2008 8:42PM]

@quix


ive had a samsung with 3g and stereo bluetooth + gps for about 2 years.

why is apple releasing a product that didnt have any of this last year and overpricing it?


ive looked at your profile and you hav nothing but hate for microsoft and nothing but love for apple.
no one thinks youre cool, you're just a loser whos running a modified version of unix in a white desktop (or black notebook) that paid way too much money for it
ill stick to my high end vaio and HP. which i know will be running flawlessly in 4 years

[retro77 @ Apr 1st 2008 9:08PM]

"ive looked at your profile and you hav nothing but hate for microsoft and nothing but love for apple.
no one thinks youre cool, you're just a loser whos running a modified version of unix in a white desktop (or black notebook) that paid way too much money for it"

Ouch...but so true...sorry quix

[Quix @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:27AM]

@ jesus caro:

Right back at you. I've looked at your profile and you have nothing but hate for Apple and nothing but love for Microsoft. No one thinks you're cool, you're just a loser who's running a modified version of the Mac OS on a shoddily-built desktop (or black notebook) that paid way too much money for a gimpy computing experience that will provide you with plenty of agony for the next 4 years.

It looks like you and I are much the same. Except for the fact I can spell. Oh, and the fact I don't have a sniveling Apple-hating sidekick named retro77 to virtually high-five my every comment.

[retro77 @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:37AM]

@Q: lol...good times.

Just so I have my own soap box and am not a side kick to anyone else: I hate everything about Apple Inc. Absolute hate for the company, their products, their employees and their loyal followers. Steve Jobs should remember where he started out.

My last reply to this post. Good night.

[Dark-Dx @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:24PM]

Some of you guys are something between Digg and youtube commenters.

[jesus caro @ Apr 2nd 2008 3:59PM]

@quix:

The game, you just lost it.

[donaskdonttell @ Jun 20th 2008 2:49PM]

http://www.mobilewhack.com/top-ten-list-of-iphone-competitors/

[ijustgot1 @ Jun 25th 2008 12:12AM]

um... everyone, i own apple and non apple products. i am no fanboy nor am i an apple hater. i was all set buy the new iphone in a couple of weeks... really, really excited (i have an itouch and love it) and then i saw this instinct and it blows iphone away (yes, the new one based on the features lists).

it's smaller, lighter, quicker, more intuitive, has a camcorder, has 3G, has GPS, has unlimited expansion (which is huge), has tactile feedback (which is awesome), comes with tons of extra stuff like an extra battery (wow!) with extra charger, 2G microSD card, stereo headphones, a leather case, data cable, etc. and is on a real network that actually works. To top it off, it's $70 cheaper than iphone at $129.99. there is no contest. the only things it doesn't have that iphone does have is the pinch feature (although, it does have X2 magnification) and WiFi. do you need WiFi on a device that gets perfect service on its network. NO. it does everything else iphone does and it does it better and it does it cheaper.

buy this phone.

apple fans, you need to give it a rest and realize that they snipe just as much as everyone else. they are trying to make money just like everyone else. they stole the idea for iphone, they stole the idea for the PC and they stole the idea for OS. they're not more original, they're just more sneaky about it.

just face it... this IS the better product whether you guys like it or not.

[whatishalo? @ Apr 1st 2008 1:19PM]

please please please don't let it be a turd! I've been waiting for a good Sprint phone to come soon!

Hopefully has a good web browser!

[kellybrf @ Apr 1st 2008 1:22PM]

way to not mention features like Visual Voicemail, 3.5mm headphone jack and 5.75 hour talk time engadget. not to mention evdo rev A, gps and all that other good stuff the iphone is missing. we get it, you love apple, but how about some fairness in reporting?

[DonatoM3 @ Apr 1st 2008 1:27PM]

Damnit my Touch won't even be a year old by the time this comes out. If it's based on an OS that allows for some customization I'm all over it. But it looks like a Samsung UI.

My last few experiences with Samsung's Sprint phones are always the same.
I get the phone when it first comes out cuz it's the latest and greatest. At first they're cool then a week into ownership you see all the bugs, and it annoys you. You go to the store to get a new phone thinking you got a bum phone. All seems fine for another week, then all the bugs you had before show up. Then about 6 months go by and when you're about to buy the new model that came out Samsung comes out with firmware to fix it and make it great, but you're tired of the phone at this point. So you buy the next model since it has more stuff and repeat the cycle all over again.

[BradStar @ Apr 1st 2008 1:56PM]

Actually, it'll be much better than an iPhone- It'll have the perfect interface, multi-touch, easy navigation and will never lock up...


April fools!

[dude @ Apr 1st 2008 2:36PM]

@kellybrf

look at the numbers [specifically portable devices], i think everyone likes something that Apple makes. if you don't, you're a statistical minority. like it or not. this blog is about what hot now not last year ... decade. as long as the iPhone rules the smartphone market everything will be compared to it ... whether it was first or not ... it is still the most popular touch screen. if you own one it's obvious why.

[rehs @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:37AM]

I love this phone (EV-DO Rev. A, 2 MP camera, GPS, 3.5mm headphone jack, nice thin body, LG PRADA-like sexy design, and a beatiful,user friendly UI) but for some reason, i cant decide between this one or an LG VU (CU915). Which one should I get. Thanks.

[frogger @ Apr 1st 2008 1:20PM]

Doesn't it look kinda fat and narrow?

[riggs @ Apr 1st 2008 1:24PM]

thats what SHE said :D

[cit9 @ Apr 1st 2008 2:24PM]

Oxymoron: fat AND narrow.

[mac @ Apr 1st 2008 2:35PM]

You mean long and narrow, I assume. It does from the first picture, but that's just because of the angle. Look at the second picture.

[frogger @ Apr 1st 2008 2:39PM]

no, i mean fat, as in depth.

[DP @ Apr 1st 2008 8:35PM]

I see where you are coming from, but it's just less than half an inch thick.

[josh @ Apr 1st 2008 1:21PM]

Huh, this looks like something I have seen before. I don't know what.

[trumpton @ Apr 1st 2008 1:38PM]

Maybe you're thinking of the Sony Clie TH55? Or maybe the Prada? Or maybe one of the many similarly-styled large screen PDA/phones that appear to have been written out of history in Endgadet-land?

And that's because they existed in the years before the Apple iPhone where apparently all such designs didn't exist at all.

[rawhead @ Apr 1st 2008 2:12PM]

@trumpton

Except all the copycats aren't copying those but the iPhone. It's not about who had what first, but who made it actually sexy, enviable, hip, and user friendly. Nobody will claim the iPod was the first MP3 player. But you'd be a tool to deny the impact the iPod had, and still has, on the PMP market as we know it.

[josh @ Apr 1st 2008 2:57PM]

I remember now, an etch A Sketch.

http://www.linesandcolors.com/images/2007-07/etch_450.jpg

[Argot @ Apr 1st 2008 3:19PM]

@rawhead: Nice RDF you got there Lou. You do know that the iPhone was a LG Prada ripoff, right?

[rawhead @ Apr 1st 2008 4:15PM]

@Argot

You didn't read what I wrote, did you?

It doesn't matter if the iPhone is a Prada ripoff (which is debatable). The point is, a lot of these touch phones that came out (or are saying they'll come out) since the iPhone don't look like they do because they're trying to emulate the Prada, but because they're trying to emulate the iPhone. And if you're going to deny that, then you're delusional.

[Frankenstein Black @ Apr 1st 2008 1:22PM]

MEH!!

[Hooterman @ Apr 1st 2008 1:24PM]

Does this open up with a keyboard? I'd hate to txt with a virtual keyboard.