If the idea of a sub-$200 3G touchscreen fashion phone sounds vaguely familiar, trust us, it's not just your noggin playing tricks on you. Sprint is apparently circulating documentation internally revealing that the
Samsung Instinct will run $199.99 on contract after rebates, a move that doesn't really come as surprise; Sprint itself has worked overtime trying to play up the Instinct versus
iPhone angle, after all, and it's entirely plausible that the carrier was holding out for Apple's announcement before settling on a price. Sprint will also be requiring that users sign up for an "Everything" plan when taking delivery of their Instinct, a move that smacks of AT&T's marriage of the iPhone to specific plans. The Instinct gets the jump on Apple's hardware by a few days thanks to a
June 20 launch, so it'll be interesting to see just how much Cupertino thunder Samsung can steal here.
posted Jun 11th 2008 6:49PM
Uh oh, the iPhone is in trouble.
Ha ha ha, I'm just kidding.
Smug Apple fanboys give Apple users a bad rap, so shut it!
*imitates familiar appleboy*
iPhone ripoff!!
?Apple ripoffs are for idiots who do not recognize the superiority of Apple?
.....
No seriously, iPhone IS in trouble.
Similar specs and 5mp camera, autofocus, image stabiliser, video, flash, I am inclined to switch now...
I do not have an iPhone. I do not want an iPhone. I use neither Sprint nor ATT. I'm just a 3rd person observer to this whole superphone wars thing. What i can say with certainty is that the iPhone IS better than the instinct. I realize it may not have all the features, but what it does, it does in a massively more intuitive and functional way. Anyways, the 3G iPhone does as much as most people need in a mobile device (well flash wouldn't hurt). The iPhone does everything better than this, even if the hardware is less powerful in some aspects. People are overlooking the UI on phones, which is KEY in such a small touch screen device. The iPhone is simply better. For the same price. Why would anyone pick the instinct over a 3g iPhone? WHY?
I should have guessed. Follow the leader. Another act of desperation. Let the price wars begin. Let's see how fast Sprint goes bankrupt.
Apple iPhone 3G $199.00 = HUMONGOUS SUCCESS
Samsung Instinct $199.99 = CATASTROPHIC FAIL
spass,
So you buy your phones on the quality of the camera?
I mean, don't get me wrong, a better camera can only improve a device, and the iPhone camera is far from cutting-edge. But I use it for snapshots, not for serious pictures, and it works just fine.
All things being equal I'd prefer a better camera, but you'd have to assume that every other function of the phone is at least the same quality or better before the quality of the camera really matters to most people.
I've had two Samsung phones. One was a crappy Verizon phone (A930 I think?) and the other was a D500. The D500 was a really great phone and I was sad to give it up when I had to switch to Verizon. Howerver, based on my experience with Samsung, I think it would take a pretty big jump for this new phone to equal the iPhone. But I guess we both have to wait until June 20th at least.
Give it time. The problem with being the top dog is that you have a lot of smaller ones nipping at your heels. Look at what Apple is doing to MS.
spass, I understand what you are saying. I was very disappointed that the iPhone didn't receive an improved camera (and video recording) yet, and I also was hoping for a front-facing camera. the lack of native MMS is a PITA as well.
However, what the iPhone lacks in some features, it MORE than makes up for in the incredible interface and software platform. After having had many smartphones and PDAs in the past on every platform, it's mind-blowing just how much better the iPhone's UI is.... smooth, polished, and incredibly responsive. It actually makes you LOOK FORWARD to using the device for otherwise mundane tasks.
Just as important, it is a total breeze to use, whether you are an "enthusiast" or a novice. It's very satisfying to watch completely noobs at the Apple store pick it up and learn all the functions within minutes. Remember, most people HATE learning how to use electronics. When they can pick this device up and instantly have command over it, they feel empowered instead of frustrated. Combine that with the future simplicity of adding functionality via a simple application store (and availability of applications built on an excellent platform), and the iPhone is eventually going to dominate the smartphone market via word of mouth alone.
@Jimmy
Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP)?
HTC Touch Pro FTW!
Ok.
I thought this was hideous at first glance, but after staring at it trying to think of something dumb or witty to say, I really really find it appealing.
Please tell me that its brushed aluminum.
There's really nothing wrong with the phone except that the icons look stupid.
yeah what happens when you hit the "sport" button does it turn into a soccer ball or something?
I can tell you it runs 9 kick ass programs, as opposed to the iPhones limitless range of free to paid apps.
Of note, Apple does not have the "Sport" program.
Thats just the "main" menu there is still "favs" "fun" and "web."
ahhh the phone that single handily is going to kill sprint. All their stupid little ads are now worthless thanks to the new iPhone. Goodbye sprint, you murdered nextels good reputation and karma is back to get you
Apple fanboy combined with Sprint hater? Seriously, a great phone killing a carrier?!
flashback 2 years: "Ah the iPhone, the phone that will single-handedly kill AT&T"
now you see how stupid you sound.
It only comes with one sport? What if I don't like soccer?
@ Galley
In Europe, soccer is football!
All you clowns are off target...
Yes, the instinct is hyped garbage. BUT SO IS THE 3G iPHONE!.
Both are inferior choices for someone who really wants a powerhouse phone with some REAL capabilities. iPhones for kiddos...
The Sprint Mogul with a SERO package (unlimited data, text) is the best choice now - bar none. The HTC Touch Pro (Mogul successor) is the next best thing I see in the pipeline. Most of you Apple Fanbois are truly clueless. You couldn't get me to use an iphone. Sure its pretty, but so were the blueberry imacs. lol
@Goon.
Have fun managing the memory usage on your Windows Mobile phone while the rest of us are getting things done.
@ryan - i know what you're saying.
Betting $100,000,000 on a iphone-me-too, no matter how nice it is, seems like a very bad idea.
if THIS is Sprint's sort of "last chance" card they're playing, it's going to do more damage than anything.
$100 million in advertising a phone that's moderately better specced than the last generation iPhone? sounds like suicide to me.
(And still believing that feature-lists sell phones, and that the UI can be an after thought... can you say "missing the point"? i dont care how many seconds faster your webpage loads compared to the old iPhone, if the browser is crappy, what does it matter?)
Could they make the carrier logo a bit bigger so I don't forget I'm using Sprint?
yeah
The Samsung Ace also has a massive Sprint logo instead of a bigger screen.
Sprint needs to go lower to compete with the iPhone. The Instinct has no big internal storage, or WiFi.
Sprint won't steel any of Apple's thunder.
Of Course. Lightning isn't made of steel.
@ Haikibutsu
Yes. It is.
Sprint may not steal Apple's thunder because
RIM has the phone named Thunder. Lightning is not made of steel, it's made of Diamond which is HTC.
Alright there's too many phones being released. Can't they all just to stick to Nokia's 4 number system? Nevermind then we couldn't sound so ridiculous.
Have been Sprint customer since the early 90's. Their customer service is hit and miss -I am a "whale" meaning I max out data plans and get what works. Treo Centro mostly works, but it still hiccups, uses an ugly operating system, can't really type on it (worse than iPhone), and can't make sense of internet pages. They almost lost me this past spring, but am going to hold out until July. I agree, Sprint is a goner.
Do you WANT to be lowest ranked or are you just that stupid?
These companies cant be serious. They are talking regular cell phones and putting touch screens on them. Apple took a desktop OS and put it in a cell phone. No competition.
Fail.
Fanboy!
Mobile OSX is just as much OSX and Windows Mobile 6.1 is Vista.
I agree some what, touch screen should be reserved for higher end smartphones.
Billy P. is correct on his point and you label him a fanboy, to me the two replies are more like a fanboy for their comments. I may be alone in my opinion here, but a fanboy is someone who adores something so much that no matter what facts are presented they still remain blind to the facts, a fanboy is also someone who bashes something or someone without backing up their argument with a reasonable explanation of why they feel the way they do.
In any case I do also do not see this as an iPhone killer, though the unlimited plan is a good idea, the fact still remains that the phone is far short of what the iPhone can actually do because of it having a real OS behind it. Until Google releases their Android deal and we see a phone using it, then there will not be much competition, until then we shall see.
I don't care if you're a fanboy. You're right. The iPhone is a mobile platform. Competitors need to see it as that.
"Windows Mobile 6.1 is Vista"
Hahaha that's a good one
Of course, Symbian was a real OS long before Apple ever thought about phones; it was called EPOC back then, and used on Psion computers, most notably the Series 5mx Netbook.
You probably never heard of them, but that was back before Palm and Microsoft managed to supressed the notion of handheld computing, with crippled OSes; HP and Psion had real pocket computers running real OSes, and it took until the 2005 release of the Nokia 770 to get back to that anywhere except in Symbian phones.
Nice that Apple eventually got in on it, too, though...
@ Jeremy
I like the way you think people care about comment rankings.
I'd think if you were trying to steal some of the iPhone's consumers, you might want to price your phone below that of the iPhone.
Oh well. How long until Android?
Anyone else getting the Duke Nukem Forever feeling with Android? It's taking soooo long.
I've been waiting for Duke Nukem Forever for a loooooooooooong time. I hope Android doesn't go the same.
So they are about to spend $100 million to advertise a phone that costs the same as an iPhone, has 6gb less memory, has slower data, smaller screen, less third party support and requires a more expensive service package.
This should work out very well for Sprint.
How is the data slower? and the plans are the same price.
Unless something has changed, it should have EVDO Rev-A, which is a hell of a lot faster than AT&T's current 3G network, and according to Kris I guess it doesn't actually require a more expensive plan.
Also 3rd party support is not yet known, not sure if you know this, but officially, the iPhone does not have any 3rd party support right now either. Just apps that they are saying will be released soon. Give the Instinct some time to build a base, its not even out yet.
Having said that, I don't know why they are spending so much on advertising a phone that aside from being on a CDMA network (people like me who don't want to pay AT&T outrageous monthly costs won't be using an iPhone, but would otherwise), does not offer anything really amazing.
So in that I agree with you, it isn't an iPhone for sure. I just disagreed with some of your "Facts" on what the phone did or did not have.
You DO NOT have to sign up for the Sprint everything plan. This has already been debunked in your last news posting. Why are you repeating the same FUD?
Could you show a link? Sorry to make you do some legwork, but I am around some Sprint sites and have not seen anything absolute yet.
I am not giving up my $35 a month SERO plan for a $100 one that offers me nothing more that I don't have besides unlimited minutes, for a phone, so this would be good news if the phone ends up being worth it.
http://instinctthephone.com/?dl=trailer/medium
Check the disclaimer at the end of the video. Funny video btw.
"FUD"
That's Fucked up details....right?
Just tryin to learn all the abbreviations and what not.
@ Ace b
FUD is actually "fear, uncertainty, doubt", but "fucked up details" works just fine. I actually like that one better.
The thing is, the phone itself is not really what attracts a lot of people that I meet, including myself. It can be an Apple, Samsung, whatever, what matters is what they do with the phone.
Like, I have the Sprint Mogul, and its a dog ugly phone, but it can do everything that the iPhone, and probably largely this Instinct (I say probably because I don't know all its stats) can, as far as a phone.
The cool stuff on the iPhone are some of the application they are making for it, like the navigation stuff, or the flickr apps, or hell, even the eBay one.
So Samsung can keep their phone until I see what kind of apps get developed for it, because even the iPhone is boring as hell without any of the apps that have either already been released, or are being promised.
I agree. I don't really view the iPhone as a phone. I use the web, e-mail, way more than the actual phone part. I see it as a pocked computer that is actually useful, and that happens to have a phone.
You really should get an iPod touch then. And perhaps the added storage space will also make you look like a smart shopper too. Just couple it with a crappy cell phone
Comments ranks are bonuses. If you are so afraid of getting lowest/low ranked, go to Gizmodo. They can't rank you there (I think).
*gasp* Did I say G.... Awww man!
I'm only 16 and I'm sure I can do way better marketing the Sprint
Coincidence?
I'm just teasing ya.
I used an Instinct last week. Despite Engadget's glowing review, I hated the thing. It's not even a decent phone, let alone an iPhone killer.
You used it? Really? So, would you mind enlightening us as to why you hated the phone, because I'm sure people would love to hear some non-biased opinions on its interface, etc.
Also, how did you manage to get your hands on one? It hasn't been released yet.
Perhaps what you used was the F480?
The phones were shipped out to "Advovates" in every sprint store almost 1.5 weeks ago. I've played with one as well, on a semi-daily basis *wink*....I have to disagree with the above comment though. I guess what they say is true, opinions are like @ssholes, everyone has them, and they usually stink.
The Poor Man's iPhone......I feel sorry for them.
Do you also judge people by their jobs, cars, clothes, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in addition to the kind of cell phone they have?
I'm just trying to gauge exactly how much of a prick you are.
I'm sorry, but how can you call it "the poor man's iPhone" when it costs the same? Maybe you could say "the Sprint man's iPhone" and ridicule it based on that?
@gad get
"poor man's" is an expression so your point is moot
When i pay a network £25 a month for calls, texts & mobile internet I sure as hell ain't paying for the phone.
on contract, after rebates, requiring everything plan. So much better than what AT&T offers for the iPhone.
Just making the point for all the Apple haters.
"I don't want a contract"
"$10.00 more a month, no way!"
"Wah wah wah, my pu$$y hurts"
Are they going to spend another $100 million on ads now that point the first set of ads are making is entirely moot?
They should just give away a whole bunch if its that good then its greatness would spread by word of mouth.
This is actually a legit contender for the status of "iPhone killer"
The only problem I see? The requirement of the "Everything Plan"
I mean I know I want it and all but still I'd like other options...
Based on Samsung timing and announcement, this device would probably generate as much excitement as having diarrhea. Samsung fans and a few tech bloggers who hate Apple, will be aware of the latest excreted device from the company. All of it a private affair.
The rest of the planet, not within smelling distance from the stink of the Extinct, would barely notice a whiff of it.
I'm a little curious as to whether these sorts of blowhard pricks (see Jubei; Exhibit A) talk and act this in person, or if it's just an anonymity of the Intertubes thing.
... I also started to wonder how they could possibly have friends and a social life if they did, and then I remembered: the entire clientèle base of Starbucks.
burn
My assessment of the Samsung Instinct still holds true. It's unfortunate for you that my post regarding this stillborn product has upset you. Mr. Mossberg has completed his review of the Instinct, and like a true professional that he is, correctly points out that its a failed attempt to imitate the iPhone.
He correctly points out that the touchscreen is technologically as advanced as your ancient ATM touch screen. It's shameful that consumers will be fooled into buying such an inferior product. Hopefully his column will gain traction and inform users about this "me too" device and stay clear from it.
I do not have an iPhone. I do not want an iPhone. I use neither Sprint nor ATT. I'm just a 3rd person observer to this whole superphone wars thing. What i can say with certainty is that the iPhone IS better than the instinct. I realize it may not have all the features, but what it does, it does in a massively more intuitive and functional way. Anyways, the 3G iPhone does as much as most people need in a mobile device (well flash wouldn't hurt). The iPhone does everything better than this, even if the hardware is less powerful in some aspects. People are overlooking the UI on phones, which is KEY in such a small touch screen device. The iPhone is simply better. For the same price. Why would anyone pick the instinct over a 3g iPhone? WHY?
You're right that UI is important. I really liked my Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS unit until I got my iPhone. Now every time I use the Nuvi I can't believe how annoying the touchscreen on it is. The natural interaction with the iPhone interface is really a huge leap forward. It's raised the bar for touchscreen devices, and hopefully competitors will follow suit, making better products for everyone.
I got a chance to play with one in the store last week. apparently all the sprint store received one to play around with and show customers. I liked it alot. I really liked the fact that you could text on it vertical, that was a plus for me. I love the iphones also but the deal breaker for me was no MMS with the IPHONE. that is such a simple request that everyone wanted....MMS and I just dont get why Apple cant give us that. so as much as I like the IPHONE, I am going to go with Sprint Instinct this go round. I am currently using the helio ocean and I am not sure how much longer they will be around.
So overall all its a neat phone and I enjoyed it alot and I think its worth 199 with a new contract and since I am already paying 99.00 a month with Helio, its not such a big deal to pay it to Sprint.
It's "iPhone."
Um, would people MMS when you could email pix for free.
why does it have the word "work" in green? No phone is going to tell me what to do!
It's yellow.
lol
I really hope this doesn't require a Simply Everything plan. This would kickass on the $30 SERO plan.
If it doesn't, guess I'll just wait for a new HTC phone (new Diamond or Touch Pro are supposed to come to Sprint..right?) and switch then.
The reason the iPhone is ahead of the competition is not because of the features, it's because of two things - brand image, and user interface.
The user interface is like no other phone. Give your grandparents an iPhone and they can figure it out straight away. I suspect giving them an Instinct will not have the same effects. The user interface on the iPhone is actually fun to use - there are no other phones which offer anything similar at the moment.
Although Samsung has an excellent reputation and brand image, the reputation of Apple is leagues ahead. They have a huge following - one which many companies would love to have. Just look at the media attention they have drawn up from the launch of a 3G phone. Could any other company do this?
Apple is one of the first companies in the mobile phone market to realize that features aren't everything. Give consumers what they need, then make it fun to use the features.
That's what sells iPhones.
199.99 is too much for this phone. I really thought the instinct was going to undersale the new iphone by at least 50 dollars and let the i900(the one with the bigger screen and 5mp camera) compete head to head. Even the Glyde looks like a better option.
I am disappointed that Sprint did not drop their Instinct price more. If they really wanted to take IPhone customers away they would take the price into the $150 domain.
Dr Sam
http://www.DrSam.tv
Ok guys lets take a really close look here at the two and take all the fanboy ideas out of everybody's head. Lets face it Apple can market anything shoot if they slapped an apple logo on feces then put it on a stick people would rush from everywhere to buy one..
Now if we look at the facts the true facts I think everyone here will realize that the Instinct is a true competitor and I use the word competitor for a reason. The Instinct has Rev A EVDO which means the industries fastest speeds and no need to connect to a wifi hotspot. Also it has pin point GPS which is something that Apple is scambling to correct with their device. How bout live streaming television and radio that is included with your plan. Did I fail to mention a voice guide system that directly links to the GPS.
I think people fail to realize that yes eventually a better product will come out. Yes Apple may have made it first but didn't Ford build the first car and does Ford build the best car today?
Just ask yourself those question and then compare price plans. $99 gets you unlimited calling, Unlimited GPS, Unlimited high speed web, Unlimited TV, and Unlimited Text messaging.
I don't know about the rest of you but im following everybody else that went to the CTI convention and im certainly buying the better phone for me which is by far the Instinct.
P.S. Please also take note that the iPhone is not the most popular device sold. That has been crowned to Blackberry and their Curve.
After rebates.
Cheap, just cheap.
Sprint, you suck and I am leaving you within one month...and nothing is going to change my mind...so just stop trying.
iPhone 3G will be in my hands soon, with a family contract on AT&T...
the battle of the B student and above phones
gasp for breath------
Thunder vs Bold vs Curve vs Instict vs Glyde vs Vu vs Voyager vs dare vs ENV2 vs that other LG phone vs iPhone vs N95 vs all of those other Nokias vs all of those other treos
well who wins?
well i can tell you for shore that you wallet is gonna cum up on the short end of the stick cause all of these phones are gonna start at over $150 with at least $30/month on data
i know for a fact that the Curve plan for verizon is about $70/month for data plus international
but im gonna say that it is gonna be a Blackberry just because of popularity and the fact that the Curve and pearl are on all of the major telecoms
but if it comes to quality of purchase, im gonna say it would be the iPhone or the Glyde because of the stability, dependability, and coolness of the mamufacturers
Go Sammy
Go Apple
I actually "own" one, yes the Samsung Instinct, and it is nothing compared to the CURRENT iPhone, let alone the 3G verison. The touch interface is not responsive at all, its just like the HTC Touch. The user interface isnt intuitive at all...the "full" web browser is no where near as nice as the iPhones Safari (imagine opera mini on like a smart phone). so you cant even see full pages like you do on the iPhone and it is just a pain in the a** to use. The system itself is a bit lagging, I dont know how its getting such good reviews anywhere. I know id rather have a BB curve than this. Sprint needs to make this phone atleast 179.99 or 149.99 without any mail in rebates (but with a 2 year contract) to compete with the iPhone because as of right now they only have the iPhone beat on monthly service plans...the Everything 450 which includes 450mins, unlimited data, nav, sprint tv, text, mms, etc is 69.99 and the iPhone plans start at 69.99 for 450 mins, unlimited data, and 200texts
@hotrod
AT&T = American Telephone and Telegraph.
I hate sprint.
The service is terrible.
The customer service is terrible.
The web services are terrible.
The stores are terrible.
The phones are terrible.
...the plans are cheap...
I would rather pay more for something better.
I buy a BMW because it will last and I know I can depend on it to get me around 495 and 270 every day with ease...and also be a blast to drive near home in the country...
I choose AT&T as my new cell phone carrier because I know the service is good where I live, the company is strong and established, and therefore I can feel safe having a phone with them.
I do not feel safe in Sprint as a company. When your stock drops $1 a day for a few weeks, looses a CEO, and almost hits rock bottom, you have doubts in the reliability of the phone service.
I say these things because even though, Sprint is cheap, it still sucks.
Folks, I have always found that what you pay for is what you get...and trust me, you'll be paying less for this phone because that's what you'll get...less...not just in the phone, but also in the carrier.
iPhone + AT&T = Costs more but exceeds your expectations. And right now, my expectations are at Sprint levels...
You sound like "Jimmy" from pulp fiction
"When Bonnie goes shopping she buys SH*T. I buy the gourmet expensive stuff because when I drink it I want to taste it."
I'm with you on that one brother.
SPRINT BLOWS.
It seemed like I had to call Sprint customer service every other month. My bills were always screwed up, usually trying to make me pay more. I don't know how I dealt with them for 4 years.
I switched to AT&T last June when the iPhone came out, and my bill has always been the same every month. I have yet to encounter a single problem with AT&T (what the hell does that stand for anyway?)
It also seems like I have signal everywhere I go, even in the beer cooler s at work!
Much respect for Samsung!
I like that they consistently put out high quality products and remain totally professional & mature.
I have friends at Sprint. It was definitely an Instinct. I have some pics of the thing but I'm not posting them online since apparently Sprint has been firing people for showing the phone off. Some things that irked me:
* Haptic feedback is worthless. All it does is vibrate when you scroll one of the menus. On that note, scrolling a menu is TERRIBLE - It doesn't let you flick like the iphone so you end up selecting whatever your finger lands on
* The text messaging interface is effing horrid too. It defaults to landscape mode and there's no accelerometer, so flipping it sideways or vertical does nothing, you have to change the setting for the text entry and then the keyboard takes up 3/4 of the vertical screen.
* Web is crap. Horizontal only with these two bars surrounding either side of the page at all times.
* Screen real estate is much thinner than the iPhone. Sure the Instinct is a little narrower and lighter but it's not a good tradeoff IMHO.
* NO EXCHANGE SUPPORT AT LAUNCH. Holy crap this is bad, I thought that this was promised to us. I couldn't really mess with the email interface that much but it seemed less-than-intuitive.
* If this thing's supposed to have Wi-Fi, I couldn't find it. Neither could the Sprint employee.
* Youtube works. Looks terrible compared to the iphone but it streams pretty well over Sprint's network. Regular Flash does not work.