Samsung M800 Instinct Cell Phone

I’m in love with my instinct phone. Unfortunately, it’s not because it’s the best touch-screen competitor out there, but because of the old, clunky flip phone I had before. But it is cool, none-the-less.  Let me tell you that this review is not an instruction manual, but a synopsis of cool features and brief how-to’s.

Where I purchased it:

I was really “thirsty” to get this phone. I was tired of looking at my AT&T friends with their I-phones, touching away while I had to push my dial pad. I bought the first edition, the day it came out.  Which is important, because typically, the first edition has ALL of the “bugs” that need to be worked out. With a rebate, it ended up being 200 dollars.

Fundamentals of the Phone

Of course, the Instinct has a touch screen, which can be at times, annoying to use. But once you get used to how “lightly” to touch the screen, the initial annoyance goes away. If you got tired of touching the screen, it comes with a stylus, or pointer to use with the screen. There are three buttons at the bottom, the “house” which directs you to the main screen, the back button and the phone button, which directs you to your speed dial screen.

Menu

The menu button includes text messaging, email, voicemail, Navigation, Calculator, Notes, Calendar, Clock and Settings buttons. Each of these have really cool features, and I do use them all. I paid for it, why not? Don’t be daunted by the plethora of things to use on the phone…its easy!

Email

The email option is pretty cool, it allows route your personal email to your phone. Although it does not alert you of personal emails like the I-phone, I find that refreshing. Who wants a stupid alert every time someone sends spam to their email? It allows you to check it at your convenience.

Text Messaging/Picture Messaging

I may be biased, but I think the text messaging is amazing. Once you select compose message (a small button on the top left) and then select your contact it stores it in a place called recent contacts. You have access to a FULL keyboard, including symbols. You have the option to text as if it was a computer key board, or if your more comfortable, you can text as if it’s a regular phone. To change the screens orientation, you select the button directly next to the back space button. You also have the option to drag text messages to the trash can, delete them all, or delete some by selecting “delete some” and touching the multiple texts you want to delete.

Picturing messaging is cool too. After taking a picture, you have the option to send the photo. You can select a new contact, or select from your recent contacts list. It’s easy, and fast.

Visual Voicemail

Visual Voicemail is one of the coolest features! I hate calling my voicemail and listening. It’s annoying. You have a visually pleasing graphic to look at, and you can drag the voicemail to the trash easily, preventing those “oops” deletions by pushing the wrong button. You can even fast forward the messages….to get to the point. This feature is really convenient.

Navigation

This feature is truly a value. Forget buying a 300 dollars plus gps system, you have a working gps right in your phone!  All you have to do is click on the navigation icon (compass), touch address and input your destination. It calculates exactly where you are so there is no need for a starting adress and even updates for traffic! This has saved me…more than once. It’s never been wrong.

Calculator

This is a self-explanatory function, but it sure looks cool. Just touch away.

Notepad

This part is dope. It allows up to a thousand words for each entry, which rounds out at 10 allowed entries. Grocery list? Ideas for a novel? Put it here.

Calendar

The calendar is cool too. You can easily set reminders for B-days, Anniversaries….years in advance.

Clock

A clock seems pretty boring, right? Not this one. You can set multiple alarms, comes fully equipped with a snooze button, a timer and a stop watch.


Volume and Vibration

You have the option to set your phone silent, vibration, beep or up to “8”, which is the loudest. The vibration mode is really a soft vibrate, and won’t make much noise if it’s stored in a purse, or bag. We’ve all had that mortifying moment in a dead silent meeting/church/classroom/wedding, when our phone vibrates….so loudly and forcefully that your boss/pastor/teacher/brides family looks at you with intense irritation and scorn.

Ringers

You can set different ringers for voicemail alerts, text messages and voice calls. It’s a simple process, which requires little to no complex maneuvering!

Bluetooth

The Bluetooth feature is like that of any other phone. You can turn it on and off at your leisure and allow only certain phones access to your phone’s contents.

Web Browser

The web browser is great. It’s capable of most anything a regular computer is capable of, except maybe reading pdf files. It can watch video, quite clearly and easily. However, sites that depend mostly on flash, will likely be inaccessible. But, largely I get a lot of function out of it. It helps on long car rides, or waits at the doctors office.

Fun Menu


TV/Video

I can say that this is AMAZING. I routinely watch CNN from my phone. It has diverse selections of channels with pre-recorded, constantly updated shows and live offerings from places like CNN.

Radio

This feature is dope, too. You can listen to a lot of different stations, including Rock N Roll, R&B, Classical and oldies.

Camera

The camera has 2.1 megapixels. It’s not the best, but it will capture some great video/pictures clear enough to be watchable or to be uploadable onto youtube/photobucket.


Games/Apps

You can download games, at a cost with this application. However, it does come with free demos of an NFL and Nascar game.



Live Seach

Hungry?  Need gas? Try Live Search. It gives you the nearest businesses/gas stations/restaurants, and looks up number—all free of charge.

Weather

This optional allows you to looks up local weather…or the weather where your grandma lives. Wherever your headed to, it’ll let you know the weather.

News

Shows you daily news, broken down into categories like politics and international. Choose your flavor.

Sports

You can get information about your favorite teams, and even live scores!

Movies

This gives you Showtime information, and the opportunity to buy tickets from your phone. Yes, I’ve done it! You just pick the tickets up at the box office.


Bugs
Little to none. Pressing a lot of buttons at the same time, or texting extremely fast can make the phone freeze up. Just take the batter out, and put it back it. If your pushing multiple buttons, and the phone rings…you may be unable to answer the phone. Take the battery out, and put it back in.
Unsung Perks
You can use every non-media menu while in phone mode. Meaning, you can looks up contacts, text someone else, and write a note while your still on the phone with someone. Why would I want to do that, you ask? Every try calling the DMV? I’m on hold for at least 15 minutes, every time.


Conclusion

I love this phone. Despite some small irritating stuff, the phone is an I-phone competitor and holds its own in a lot of ways. It’s a good value, and there’s no need to switch from Sprint to AT&T JUST to get that I-phone.