Samsung Instinct to run $199.99 on contract

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.

[giantenemycrab @ Jun 11th 2008 6:53PM]

Uh oh, the iPhone is in trouble.

Ha ha ha, I'm just kidding.

[gad get @ Jun 11th 2008 7:06PM]

Smug Apple fanboys give Apple users a bad rap, so shut it!

[Aguiluz @ Jun 11th 2008 7:09PM]

*imitates familiar appleboy*

iPhone ripoff!!

?Apple ripoffs are for idiots who do not recognize the superiority of Apple?

.....

[spass @ Jun 11th 2008 7:12PM]

No seriously, iPhone IS in trouble.
Similar specs and 5mp camera, autofocus, image stabiliser, video, flash, I am inclined to switch now...

[Jimmy @ Jun 11th 2008 7:41PM]

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?

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jun 11th 2008 7:54PM]

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

[Reid @ Jun 11th 2008 7:56PM]

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.

[vegaman_dan @ Jun 11th 2008 9:52PM]

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.

[loosely_coupled @ Jun 11th 2008 10:01PM]

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.

[Dubb @ Jun 12th 2008 9:42AM]

@Jimmy

Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP)?

[OneLove @ Jun 12th 2008 12:55PM]

HTC Touch Pro FTW!

[Low Ranked @ Jun 11th 2008 6:54PM]

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.

[waiownsyou @ Jun 11th 2008 7:05PM]

There's really nothing wrong with the phone except that the icons look stupid.

[Chris Macdonald @ Jun 11th 2008 7:17PM]

yeah what happens when you hit the "sport" button does it turn into a soccer ball or something?

[MIKE @ Jun 11th 2008 8:40PM]

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.

[deyanimay @ Jun 11th 2008 9:08PM]

Thats just the "main" menu there is still "favs" "fun" and "web."

[ryan @ Jun 11th 2008 6:55PM]

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

[gad get @ Jun 11th 2008 7:02PM]

Apple fanboy combined with Sprint hater? Seriously, a great phone killing a carrier?!

[MasterCKO @ Jun 11th 2008 7:15PM]

flashback 2 years: "Ah the iPhone, the phone that will single-handedly kill AT&T"

now you see how stupid you sound.

[Galley @ Jun 11th 2008 8:50PM]

It only comes with one sport? What if I don't like soccer?

[Tony @ Jun 12th 2008 3:40AM]

@ Galley

In Europe, soccer is football!

[g00n @ Jun 12th 2008 9:43AM]

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

[Scott @ Jun 12th 2008 11:23AM]

@Goon.

Have fun managing the memory usage on your Windows Mobile phone while the rest of us are getting things done.

[Jeff @ Jun 12th 2008 2:15PM]

@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?)

[RC @ Jun 11th 2008 6:58PM]

Could they make the carrier logo a bit bigger so I don't forget I'm using Sprint?

[tristan @ Jun 11th 2008 7:09PM]

yeah

[RC @ Jun 14th 2008 12:55AM]

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.

[surge @ Jun 11th 2008 6:59PM]

Sprint won't steel any of Apple's thunder.

[Haikibutsu @ Jun 11th 2008 7:02PM]

Of Course. Lightning isn't made of steel.

[gad get @ Jun 11th 2008 7:04PM]

@ Haikibutsu

Yes. It is.

[orky @ Jun 11th 2008 7:39PM]

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.

[W. Park @ Jun 11th 2008 7:00PM]

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.

[Jeremy K. @ Jun 11th 2008 6:59PM]

Do you WANT to be lowest ranked or are you just that stupid?

[BIlly P @ Jun 11th 2008 7:01PM]

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.

[Jeremy K. @ Jun 11th 2008 7:04PM]

Fail.

[gad get @ Jun 11th 2008 7:05PM]

Fanboy!

[Darkest Daze @ Jun 11th 2008 7:07PM]

Mobile OSX is just as much OSX and Windows Mobile 6.1 is Vista.

[deyanimay @ Jun 11th 2008 7:09PM]

I agree some what, touch screen should be reserved for higher end smartphones.

[Neolycan @ Jun 11th 2008 7:20PM]

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.

[zach rattner @ Jun 11th 2008 7:26PM]

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.

[CB17 @ Jun 11th 2008 8:38PM]

"Windows Mobile 6.1 is Vista"

Hahaha that's a good one

[Benson @ Jun 12th 2008 11:39AM]

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...

[waiownsyou @ Jun 11th 2008 7:06PM]

@ Jeremy

I like the way you think people care about comment rankings.

[greatslack @ Jun 11th 2008 7:07PM]

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?

[Reader @ Jun 11th 2008 8:21PM]

Anyone else getting the Duke Nukem Forever feeling with Android? It's taking soooo long.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Jun 11th 2008 9:05PM]

I've been waiting for Duke Nukem Forever for a loooooooooooong time. I hope Android doesn't go the same.

[John M @ Jun 11th 2008 7:10PM]

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.

[f5alcon @ Jun 11th 2008 7:16PM]

How is the data slower? and the plans are the same price.

[Derek @ Jun 11th 2008 7:21PM]

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.

[Kris @ Jun 11th 2008 7:12PM]

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?