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Samsung's Instinct: Smart, if Not an iPhone

Sprint's touchscreen phone's no giant killer, but it's a contender

By Jim O'Neill, Newser User

Posted Jun 12, 2008 10:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – It isn’t an iPhone. But, says New York Times technology writer David Pogue, Samsung’s soon-to-be released touchscreen phone, called Instinct—while a little less sleek than the iconic iPhone—isn’t a bad effort. The newest iPhone wannabe debuts June 20 when Sprint Nextel rolls it out at half the price of a $199 iPhone, after the $100 rebate.

The Instinct is a little taller and thicker than its idol, but narrower, which makes the screen less viewable. It offers some goodies not available on the iPhone: a swappable battery and a “back” button to make Internet navigation easier."The Instinct’s most gimmicky enhancement is a so-called haptic touch screen, which means that the whole thing vibrates a little each time you tap it," Pogue writes. "It does not succeed in surpassing the iPhone, especially the new one—but it does succeed as a smartphone."

Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs announces the new Apple iPhone 3G Monday, June 9. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

The Samsung Instinct is shown in New York, Wednesday, June 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

The Samsung Instinct will be available in June 20. (AP Photo/Sprint)

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Samsung's Instinct: Smart, if Not an iPhone

Sprint's touchscreen phone's no giant killer, but it's a contender

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iPhone • Apple • Samsung • Sprint Nextel • smartphones • cell phone industry

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More People Want Androids Than iPhones

Google's operating system barely edges out Apple's

Samsung Ripped Off iPhone, iPad: Apple Suit

Apple alleges competitor 'blatantly' copied iPhone, iPad

Android World's No. 1 Smartphone Platform

Passes Symbian; iPhone at No. 3

Nokia Sues Apple Over iPhone Technology

Finnish cell phone maker alleges copyright infringement

Apple Ready With June 9 iPhone Splash

Millions of 3G versions already in US, ready to be uncloaked: analysts

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