Walt Mossberg reviews Sprint's Samsung Instinct, plugs iPhone 3G in process

When Walt Mossberg reviews a product, the world listens. Perhaps it’s the man’s wisdom, age, or maybe a little of both that make Mr. Mossberg such a highly-respected reviewer. So respected, in fact, that Walt is one of the very few tech-journalists to ever get Apple products ahead of launch.

So, with Sprint fighting to gather attention for its iPhone-fighting Samsung Instinct, they made sure that Walt Mossberg got his hands on the Instinct for a down-and-dirty review. The keyword here is “dirty.” While reviewing the Samsung Instinct, Walt drops the iPhone 3G-bomb almost twice as many times as he mentions the Instinct – essentially turning his review of the Samsung Instinct in to a “dirty” plug for the iPhone 3G.

The verdict? Mossberg found the Instinct to be an “ok” touchscreen handset offering, but it just won’t have the muscle to go toe-to-toe with the iPhone 3G – which is basically in line with my initial hands-on impressions of the Instinct.[Via: WSJ]

About The Author

Will Park

Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...

Anon

To sum it up. Samsung/Sprint = Day late and a dollar short.
Thinner

Actually, to sum it up correctly….

Walt Mossberg = Apple Shill
James

I use an iPhone right now and work in IT. Hands down Sprint has the better network. It cant roam internationally but spend 10 minutes researching the technology behind UMTS (ATT) and EV-DO Rev A (SPINT) and keep that in mind before buying either. iPhone is an AMAZING product and the iPhone Two will be a great upgrade but here are some flaws I see.

1) iPhone 2 has gps but no real software to work with it. Yes third party apps could be coming out but its a strech. Sprint uses only the latest navteq maps that is saving you 100.00 a year not buying updated maps for your garmin gps.

2) No video on iphone… still.

3) Picture messaging STILL not available.

4) Over the air downloads of music? Not heard anything on this from iPhone side buy Sprint has been doing it for years.
James

Oh and let us not forget Sprint offers Stalker Beacon…. I mean “family locater”
sweet greggo

This is a “review” of the instict?
Thinner

Isn’t it funny how you can market/position yourself as THE consumer electronics guru…without really knowing a blessed thing about the subject? LOL
Informed

Walt Mossberg is an idiot plain and simple.
John

Geez, was this a review of the Instinct or the freekin’ i-phone? Walt Mossberg is in the tank for Apple. He hasn’t even tested the ‘new’ i-phone, yet declares it better than the instinct? Whayt a joke. I’m not reading this guy anymore. He’s a joke.
dmal

I’ve been using apple products since they were black and white. I AM A MAC guy. But I have had sprint service for 8 years out here in los angeles. Sprint has always had the worst phones ever, so I’ve been suffering for yeeears with phones that were almost cool, rather than cool.
FINALLY sprint comes with a strong phone. So do I jump ship to AT&T and get a smoking new 2nd generation iphone… OR, stick with Sprint and there fancy new rip off? Well here is my conclusion.
Personally I love Samsung phones, and as an artist I’ve always appreciated there flair with phones, so I try that they will be equally as cool & slick as the iphone. ANd also TWO of my friends actually got rid of there AT&T plans this year because they dropped so many calls. Now I’m not saying that I know for a fact that sprint has a better reception in southern cal but I’ve never left sprint because of coverage problems. One friend actually cancelled his service and laid his $400 iphone in a drawer. I swear to god, true story. He went back to Blackberry.
So again I haven’t seen any of these phones in person, but I guess I’m going to go with my INSTINCT and stick with Sprint (who has lost more customers in 2007 than any other cell company) and it is so inexpensive for what they are giving you. Obviously because now they need customers more than ever.

*This biased reviewer almost convinces me to get the instinct, although i can tell he is much more favorable of the iphone. Seems like he was probably given a free iphone for this almost uninformative review.

dmal
Raidium

Wow, this Walt guy is a Joke plan and simple. He is obviously a tool for apple here. I can’t believe this guy is actually saying the iPhone 3g is better then the instinct and it hasn’t even launched. This isn’t an instinct review…It’s a freakin Marketing stunt for Apple. It just shows how Apple has to resort to such low cheap tricks to sell their crappy ass products!
chuck

I got an Instinct 2 days ago and like it alot. The only thing that looks better on the iphone is the unlock button location. Instincts is on top with a 2 step process while iphone is on the front and more accessible. Otherwise it’s great soo far.PS the screen color and pictures are not as sharp or colorful as the iphone..too bad about that ..Apple has their crispness and graphics down fer sure.
Will Park

I don’t know, Raidium. I’d argue that Apple products are generally higher quality in terms of style, build-quality, and performance. iPhone aside, all my Apple products are much more eye-catching, much more durable, and perform better (MacBook Pro running Windows XP, for example) than their counterparts.

Now, the question is, do the better design and quality of materials justify the much higher expense? Probably not. But, while it might not be worth it from a “value” perspective, you do get what you pay for.

Still, it sure is funny how Walt copped out and gave Apple a plug for the iPhone during his Instinct review. Feature wise, the iPhone doesn’t compare to the Instinct. Subjectively, I prefer my iPhone to the Instinct’s squishy (although, there is limited “squishiness”) touchscreen and unpolished UI.

Now, with the iPhone 3G’s features up almost up to par with the Instinct, the battle comes down to UI and subjective measures of preference. That will be an interesting battle indeed.
Raidium

True, but then again, I watched that to see a review of the Instinct, not the iPhone. What he should have done is do an EXCLUSIVE review of the device and then post another video comparing the two, not just throw it in there with that. I agree, it will be an interesting battle! There’s a large number out there that value the iPhone but theres and equal group of those who are looking for a good device to compare and compete. It would be more fair to both sides to review both devices individually then have a “showdown” so to speak.
Raidium

Sorry about the “crappy ass products” comment. I’ve had nothing but bad experiences with Apple products so thats based on user experience only!
Will Park

Showdown you say?

Stay tuned!
Networker

This guy is a joke. Just goes to show you don’t need to know anything or even be able to make a decent presentation to be a technology guru for the print media.
Macdragonfl

Wow,
This was a iPhone 3G commercial. I use Mac computers. I also have been a long time Sprint customer. I am torn because Sprint has a great data network. ATT has poor voice quality and there data network sucks. Apple would have been better to not lock down the iPhone to one network. GSM is the most overrated platform anyway. Most phones that come out in GSM are much better when the CDMA version comes out. I will most likely go with the Instinct. When ATT’s 5 year exclusive is over I will by the iPhone.
Steve

I was not sure if it was a review of samsung instinct or a advertisment for the Iphone…I voted Iphone Ad…and moved on….was definetly biased!!!!
Steve

I also have a mac book and like it alot…I am not sure I like their customer service as my Ipod Touch had a defective screen and the service guy right in front of me did more work tring to find a reason why it was not covered then tring to solve the problem…I know with sprint they just give you a new phone or at least look for water damage out of sight…so I am not sure I would get a iphone.
Will Park

All my Apple customer service experiences have been industry-leading. I’ve had a complete MacBook repair (I dropped the MacBook, but the plastic shell didn’t show any signs of damage… so they replaced it).

I’ve had my iPhone (and my friends/family have had numerous) replaced for niggling problems like a loose headphone jack.

I just had my two-year-old MacBook Pro power adapter replaced, no questions asked (well, aside from whether my MBP was under warranty – to which I replied “not a chance”).

I can’t think of another company with customer service anywhere near Apple’s. Just walk in to their Apple store and be nice and cordial – you’ll get what you need. If you’re bitter or frustrated and treat the employees with disdain, you’re going to get by-the-book treatment – they’re just human after all.
CX650

In addition to the few differences pointed out, he failed to mention that the Instinct supports Stereo Bluetooth, turn by turn audio prompts navigation similar to the Tom Tom, micro SD memory slot, two batteries, mini-stereo headphone jack, full motion video capture, JAVA, MP3 and AAC audio, etc.

Also the phone is only $129 not $199. Unlimited data plans start at $69. EVDO Rev A high speed data.

Can tell that he worships at the temple of Jobs…
Sam

Is this guy paid by apple? He is claiming that the new iPhone’s 3g speed is as fast as Sprint’s !!!! Sprint is using the EV-DO which is at least 10 times faster than ATT’s new 3G network. What the hell this guy is talking about.

With Instinct, you can watch live TV. Show me how iPhone can do that.
Sam

Sorry, I used wrong email in my previous posting.

Is this guy paid by apple? He is claiming that the new iPhone’s 3g speed is as fast as Sprint’s !!!! Sprint is using the EV-DO which is at least 10 times faster than ATT’s new 3G network. What the hell this guy is talking about.

With Instinct, you can watch live TV. Show me how iPhone can do that.
Michael H

This joker seriously needs to take a second look at the Instinct, he’s blinded by his Iphone Fanboyism, I have seen at least 5-7 additional features the Instinct has that the Iphone doesn’t, Instinct is much better than his poor excuse for a review.