Samsung Instinct: A budget iPhone alternative

Since it's little more than a week before the upgraded iPhone hits stores, it's hard not to measure the Samsung Instinct, a new Sprint-Nextel phone with multimedia features and a touch screen, against Apple's second-generation multimedia, touch-screen smartphone. (Click on the images for closer looks at the Instinct.)

Some comparisons are impossible until we actually get the iPhone 3G. In initial tests, though, the Instinct appears to be an impressive performer. It costs less than the 3G—$130 vs. $199, with a two-year contract—and it has some features, like voice activation, that we expect even the new iPhone won't have. It's a little narrower, and thus more palm-friendly. However, it lacks iPhone features like WiFi access and the ability to handle Office-type documents. It's also offered by a carrier that's fared worse in our recent cellphone service Ratings (available to subscribers) than even AT&T, the exclusive iPhone carrier, which has been middling in subscriber satisfaction.

As we reported earlier this year, the Instinct has an iPhone-like 3.2-in. (diag.) touch-screen display with a virtual QWERTY keyboard.  In our labs, the display was responsive and easy to read under most lighting conditions and the virtual keys proved to be well-spaced and, with the aid of vibration feedback, easy to hit with minimal errors.

Like the iPhone, the Instinct has a Rolodex-like interface for perusing your photo and music collections with a swipe of your finger. It proved easy to use. Surfing the Web was fast enough on Sprint's 3G EV-DO network, and you can even scroll up or down a Web page by tilting the Instinct while holding down the camera button. In messaging mode, you can use the included stylus to scribble numbers, letters, symbols, and punctuation (which the Instinct instantly converts into typed text) or to select Web links when surfing the Net—handy when links embedded on Web pages are too close to pick off with your finger.

You can even control the Instinct without touching it. The Speech to Action function, for instance, lets you search the Web, make calls, send pictures or text messages just by just speaking out terms. These searches, which take a little effort to master, are enhanced by Instinct's GPS technology, which factors in your current location while processing requests. For example, in Live Search mode, say "restaurant," and you'll see listings of local eateries. Select any in the list to call or to add to your contact list. You can also push the virtual car icon for audible, step-by-step driving directions to your selection.

Voice quality was very good when talking, good when listening—on a par with other CDMA phones. Talk time is adequate—just 3.75 hours. But the phone does come with an extra battery.

Besides GPS navigation, the Instinct comes with a music player and multitude of multimedia applications, including streaming TV and radio, music downloads, and game services. It supports Bluetooth data and stereo headsets and has a 1.9-megapixel digital camera that can record video. Like the iPhone, it has HTML support for glitch-free Web browsing; a visual voicemail application that lets you review your messages in any order you wish.

On the downside, the Instinct is a bit sluggish launching multimedia applications, and doesn't automatically switch views between landscape and portrait. And like the iPhone, it's also missing some useful features that are quite common on other phones, such as single-key, last-number redial and preset or customizable text messages.

Bottom line: The Instinct's a good choice if you're not already heavily invested in Apple's world—with, say your music collection in iTunes—and you're a satisfied Sprint customer in the market for a very capable phone with advanced features at a reasonable price. Others may want to consider other iPhone-like phones such as the LG Voyager and Samsung Glyde and, after next week, the new iPhone.

—Mike Gikas

Comments

[molly]

It is now been almost a month since I purchased the instinct..on my second one..same problems...so frustrating don't even bother trying to figure out what is going on with it....I am canceling my contract with Sprint...I am afraid the problems will continue with the phone and with CS and I will be stuck. The sprint family dats plan was cheaper by approx $110 a month compared to
version.... A less expensive plan and a phone just to make calls I think might save me alot of grief...I am also open to any suggestions....

[Jacob]

I purchased an instinct last night, activating it took well over four hours at best buy but it is up and running. The gps does not work through the window of my car, but radar and/or laser detectors don't work through my windscreen either I think Mercedes might have some stupid special windscreen. Anyhow besides the tedious activaion everything is awesome! I am a little worried about scratching it however.

[Steven]

I have had ther Instinct since they were released in June and have been very pleased with it. The phone works well, GPS works as well as my Garmin, and the live features are excellent. I have had no problems with my Instinct.

[Ariel]

I recently bought the the Samsung Instinct and am very happy with the phone. I live in Kansas, whwere there are a lot dead zones and accessing the Internet is a challenge. With the Instinct, I have very little trouble accessing the Internet as well with the GPS, which I use a lot in those areas. When you consider the Instinct's other features such as TV, Radio (Sirius optional), etc. you can forget the $Phone.

[joey]

So I just bought the Samsung Instinct on July 19, 2008. It's now July 22, 2008. It's already experiencing problems such as, freezing up on internet, and on main screen. The ringer only rings when it wants to, and my GPS doesnt work properly. Needless to say, I'm dissappointed. Everyones comparing it to the iPhone, but personnally, it doesnt compare. Point is, im taking it back today to get something else. Readers, words of wisdom, DON'T BUY THE SAMSUNG INSTINCT!!!