Just got a new Samsung Instinct with service through Sprint and thought I would post a quick review. So far I would say for people who don't need their entire music library with them this is a great phone! Call quality is FAR superior to my Nextel (well what isnt). All the apps are nice and fast, GPS works great, the streaming video is just so nice to have, goodbye boredom. But the best part is it is VERY easy to use this as a 3G modem. The link below has all the info you need. I am paying about $70 a month for 450 minutes and UNLIMITED data, and let me tell you, while it isnt cable modem speed it is more then enough for basic websurfing and file access. I am averaging about 200-300 Kbps with probably about 50% signal strength where I am at now.

http://nateclark.com/articles/2008/09/02/s...-wireless-modem

errandwolfe,

I am planning on renewing my Sprint contract within the next few months, and I am trying to decide between the Samsung Instinct and the Blackberry Curve 8330.


I have a few questions for you...

1. Does it feel like a phone? Like is it sturdy and does it feel good in your hand?

2. How does it function as a music player?

3. Can you stream online radio on it? For example, ESPN Radio (mms://a1742.l4758257741.c47582.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/1742/47582/v0001/reflector:53165).

4. Are you sure that you will not get caught by Sprint for using the PAM feature without paying for it? I wanted to try this a year back with my Samsung A900, but I heard rumors that Sprint was charging people outrageous amounts for PAM Data Usage without having it in your contract.


Anyone,

In getting a new contract (my contract expired on the 7th of the month) I am also adding my wife (she is switching over from AT&T who sucks and charges 20% more for the same service). So there will be two lines. So my options are:

1. Get two (2) Samsung Instincts / BlackBerry Curve 8330s and get the same data plan errandwolfe got for my phone, and get a cheap regular calling plan for her phone. The total bill would be about $100 a month. I would then use the Instinct as my "On the Road" internet connection and normal MP4 player.

2. Get two (2) regular phones (think Razr) and buy the cheapest shared calling plan which would cost about $60 a month. Then I would buy an iPod Touch, and use it as my normal MP4 player. This option would save me about $600 over the two years of the plan. But I lose the capability to have wireless internet "On the Road" or anywhere there is not a wifi hot spot.


Anyone's thoughts and opinions are appreciated because I simply can decide...

Thanks,
Cody

1. Yes the form factor is great, it is very comfortable to use with or without headset.
2. Very nicely, even comes with stereo ear buds
3. I do not know specifically about that URL, but online audio and video streaming work very well (love that I can stream YouTube). Sprint does have an additional ESPN subscription for $5.99 a month and that looks like it gives you both audio and video.
4. I can't tell you yet about being caught since I have only been using it a few days. I can tell you that there are several other people whose web pages I found that are using this method, and none of them have reported any extra charges.

I just made up my mind.

I bought a 2G iPod Touch at Walmart for $199. I am happy ...