Samsung Intensity III
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Sturdy, but aggravating
If you live in town, don't mind plugging in each night, and just need a simple web/text phone for quick research and communication, this phone (and plan) is decent.
Buttons are nicely spaced and easy to use (even if you have big fingers), the phone feels pretty sturdy and is easy to grip, and the interface is laid out nicely. However, reception is very bad (where I am in S Indiana), battery life is worse than with most fancier phones, VZ Navigator is pay-per-use with the $50 unlimited everything plan, the power button is way too easy to push, and there is no hotspot capability or wi-fi access.
Same thing, long-winded:
I live about 10 minutes from a big college town, but I get no reception unless I am actually in town. In town, of course, reception is great. But check out coverage maps - don't go by my review.
Brand new, the phone lasted about two days on a full charge. A few months later, I'm getting about half a day, and I only use it as an alarm about 5 out of 7 days each week - no calls, no texting, no internet, and it lasts about half a day!!! Of course the battery drain is largely due to bad reception, but that's still terrible.
VZ Navigator isn't free - you pay per use, at least with the $50 unlimited everything plan. Mapquest, Google Maps, and others are blocked, so you can't use those. So you've got the internet if you can get a signal, but it's only good for e-mail and quick text-based research.
When the phone turns off, you lose the time, so don't rely on it for an alarm clock.
There is a phone lock feature so you don't butt-dial, but if your battery runs down and the phone automatically shuts off, it can very easily be turned back on. The result is it turns itself on and off constantly in your pocket until you pull the battery out.
Finally, this phone cannot be used as a wi-fi hotspot, nor can it access wi-fi.
The teal and black color option is lovely! :)
Better than expected
Bought this phone at a Wal-Mart in San Leandro, Ca. last night as a replacement for my Intensity II. Much better phone due to its Mil-Spec classification and thin body size.
All I can say is..... Wow!
I even like the fact that the charger port is on the bottom of the phone instead of on the side.
Definite upgrade!
