Samsung Instinct M800
Phone Scoop Review
Jun 13, 2008 by Eric M. Zeman
Samsung and Sprint break out the touch screen Instinct to combat the swelling ranks of touch devices. Does it compare to the competition? With video tour. read review ›
User Reviews
Average Ratings
Wow!
Ok everyone, mind you that I work for Sprint, so bear with me...
We recently got ahold of four of these during a recent agent training class, and I was very impressed witht he overall look and feel of the phone, for people like me that aren't used to a touch screen interface, it took a bit of getting used to, but once I actually sat down and explored the features, I found it to be a very capable phone. I actually upgraded to one on my own account.
Pros:
-Very fast for the downloading. It's an EVDO REV A based device.
-Audible Navigation makes it easy to figure out where you are, and it's safer than holding the phone while you're driving.
-Music playback was excellent.
Cons:
-Onboard memory is really limited! (You need to keep the microSD card in the phone to do anything with it! I'd advise getting a bigger card.
Very Good Non-PDA/Smart Phone
I say that this is probably one of the better Multimedia Phones currently out in the market.
Pros:
Feature packed
Navigation with Live Search is awesome
Pretty easy to use interface
Responsive touch screen
Internet Browsing is fast
Cell phone build is perfect for me. It feels sturdy.
Ok's:
The Camera actually does a pretty decent job eventhough there are no built in editing options
The actual browser is no Opera or IE but it is okay. Internet browsing is still acceptable
Call Quality and the service on the Sprint Network is good. I still like Verizon better.
The Battery life is sufficient. I'm glad they included an extra battery with the package.
Cons:
I believe 32MB internal memory for this type of phone is a big CON. It has an expandable SD slot but if they want people to DL a bunch of ringtones from the Sprint Store, they need to up that to at least 128mb
If wish they had more input options. The default keyboard is good but I wish we had other choices.
Overall- This is the perfect phone for me. It has all the right features I need on a non PDA phone.
Nice Phone
I really like this phone. For several years I used a PDA phone and when the Instinct was introduced, I first thought it would be a PDA phone. Finding out it was not, was a little disappointing. It does have some nice trade offs. I really like all the features and have not had any worth mentioning problems. What I don't like is how hard the back cover is to get off to change the battery, but then again, I feel comfortable knowing the back won't fall off easily. I don't like the picture browsing when you access your sd card. You can't browse unless the the folder is 1 of 3 folders you can choose when you go to pictures icon. This phone is not compatible with Mail to Go, so my email from YaHoo are a little hard to read easily. I love the the live search features, the navigator. I like the size, I think Samsung could have thrown in a nice case. Over-all, the phone is definitely work buying. I'm having a lot of fun with it. Perhaps, some of the con's may not be con's I may not be using something correctly. If you are thinking about buying, one, go for it. You will have a lot of fun with it. Oh ya, I'm told by my callers that when I put the phone on speaker, they can hear me very clearly. But using a blue tooth, they can hear just fine. Bottom line, great trade offs for a few not having some of the PDA features I'm use to. Who knows, may there will be an upgrade down the road.
SO TORN
SO, I have had the instinct for a couple of weeks and I must say that it is very good.
I really like the "Live Search" This feature is incredible. The way that it incorporates with the navigation is excellent.
I definitely think Sprint and Samsung did their homework on this handset. $129.00 is an incredible price for such a feature packed phone. AWWWW but wait. I have my opinions.
although it is very good and Sprint has a fantastic network, the phone still does not compare with the ease of use that the Iphone offers. It is pretty hard to beat the boys from Cupertino when it comes to web-surfing! There is just nothing like the iphone. Although the Samsung takes advantage of EVDO-REV A, the Internet browser pales in comparison to the iphone. The processor is a bit slow at times, and although the display is nice, the iphones glass display is quite a bit more vivid. (also doesn't scratch easily!) The mail program is not bad, and even works with Outlook web access. I even get new e mails rather quickly. Although there is not attachment viewer or exchange support. Not sure if There will be an update for this at all. I will say the reception has been pretty good although I will agree with the other reviews in that the signal strength indicator jumps around quite a bit. Not sure if this is strictly cosmetic or if it really means something????
The Iphone comes out on Friday, and I think that I will go get one. Ultimately, it is the better animal. Having the APP store will be another plus. The applications that will be available for the Iphone make it that much better for someome that wants to unleash the capabilities. Again, the Instinct has impressed me quite a bit, but I think the Iphone still holds a significant advantage. I will say this in closing. If you like Sprint and don't want to switch, The Instinct phone is a phenominal choice. It Sprint sill has the best All you can eat rate plans out there. $99 gets you unlimited everything! WOW!!!!!!!!
Awesome consumer phone
If you are looking for a media phone the instinct is for you! The reception is great and the touch screen rocks! The Internet speed is unbelievable.
great phone
great fun phone! but the web should of being better maybe because im use to a windows phone!!
It's alright, but it's not the deal
If your looking for a toy this is the phone, but if your looking to conduct business would not recommend. I bought the phone yesterday and about to return today. I have the treo 755p and will either stick with it or trade for 800w after I do MY research....
50/50
Hey I know how everyone out there is talking about the samsung instinct being the iPhone killer bit that truely a lie.. But it depends what kind of person you are. I'm making this review from my iPhone right now.. Something the instinct can't do.
Pros:
* the instinct is small and lightweight
* it has many features such as tv, email, radio, ETC.
* it can be fun at times...
Cons:
* very slow sometimes. Not the best touchscreen out there.
* my dad has the instinct and it his second one because they lagg so much it failed the phone.
* it has tv but its not clear at all.. Seriously you can see a baseball and think it looks like a snowball in a desert.
* web browser is good, but not great!
* the display SUCKS
Over all the phone is aout 3.5 I gave it 4 cause sometimes its a joy. But I wouldn't recomend getting this phone cause of the trouble ive seen my father have with it.
NOT THE IPHONE KILLER
Contact me at xxahrimsxx@yahoo.com
Instinct scored with this one.
I got mine on Thursday and I just have to say that Samsung scored with this one. I can even say that it's the best touchscreen phone on the market for now. The only con is that it does not have T9 input as an option.
Instinct Vs Iphone
I have owned the Samsung instinct for 3 months now and i love it. Everyone talks about the iphone and how amazing it is but i am more than satisfied with my instinct.
it has a large screen large buttons for calls and text and is very user friendly. the tv isn't as fast as the dish sitting on my house but come on... its a freakin phone. i don't expect it to be picture clear every second! The comforting part about it all is that sprint is launching 4G (wi-max) so even faster internet and other features.
For having all of the features i.e. GPS, tv, radio, music player, web, etc... i didn't expect the top of the line product. for example your phone isn't a garmin gps unit but as a feature on the phone it is amazing.
I love the spare battery and charger. i never have to worry about plugging my phone in. i switch them and go, while the spare is charging.
for the price i paid for the phone and plan i am more than satisfied with my phone. The iphone isn't as amazing as it is cracked up to be.
