Customer Reviews

Samsung Intrepid SPH-i350 Windows Phone (Sprint)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this phone directly from Sprint PCS. It's a CDMA/GSM with Windows CE 2.0 and MS Mobile Office 2007.

It's very easy to click on icons unintentionally, because the target area must be larger than the icon, like when

you are trying to scroll up or down using the included stylus on the touch screen.

The phone comes with ALOT of bloatware for Sprint, like the following apps and features, mostly Sprint:

1. Sprint NASCAR

2. Sprint NFL

3. Sprint TV

4. Sprint Navigation

5. Sprint Music Store

6. Sprint Software Store

7. Games

8. IM

9. Messenger

10.MSN Money

11.MSN Weather

12.YouTube

13.Google

14.TellMe

15.Worldclock

16.Stopwatch

17.Tip Calculator

18.Anniversary

Trying to remove this junk is all but impossible except at a special Sprint Store or Service Center that has the

software to do so. I synched the device with my HP ProBook 4510s w/Office Enterprise 2007 without any problem. I

could install any documents, photos, and other files, including programs onto the Kingston SDC4/16GB MicroSDHC

I bought on Amazon (UPC 740617173741) a Class 4 card with MicroSD Adapter, which works 100% with this device.

The small keyboard with dark red symbol legends on the keytops is hard to read, and using the FN key is required

for each symbol before entry, except for the white legend symbols like letters. Although a QWERTY style keyboard

it is not that easy to use unless you are adept at using PDA type devices, which I'm not. This was my first and

only purchase of this type. Dialing requires opening the DTMF dial keypad on the touch screen for manual dialing

and DTMF entry.

It does have WiFi and you can use Skype. This requires Skype for Mobile, and access to some kind of wireless net-

work you can log into for service. On Long Island this would be Cablevision Optimum WiFi, available in many areas

especially LIRR train stations. You can also use it with any private wireless network like your home router or in

places like Borders, Starbucks, etc. though there might be a fee nowadays. Unfortunately for me Sprint service in

my home area leaves alot to be desired. The transceiver in this device is not the best either. The Qualcomm CDMA

in my Sanyo SCP-7050 is much better, giving me 2 bars inside the house. The Samsung Intrepid gives me one or none

at all, and disconnects my calls. That is Sprint's and Samsung's fault, for poor coverage by Sprint, and inferior

radio transceiver in the Intrepid by Samsung, respectively. Lucky for me Sprint cancelled my contract without any

penalty, because I was past the 30 day guarantee period to return the device, no questions asked. Now I want to

sell this phone. Contact me using Amazon on my seller profile to buy this phone like new with all accessories. If

you want maybe I'll include the Kingston MicroSD card if you're serious and the offer is acceptable. This will re-

quire activation and programming at a Sprint Store or Service Center to connect the phone and get you going with

it. Right now it is locked out.

This phone would fare better in a decent coverage area for starters. Sprint should make it easy to remove any apps

you don't want, instead of making you go to their store or service center and being given a hassle, or even charge

to do so. There are many much better apps available for the Windows Mobile 6.5 this device comes with. This is the

last of its kind, now that Windows Phone 7 is out there, and apps will be limited for awhile, because any previous

apps are incompatible with Windows Mobile 7 phones.

I was expecting a quiet transition to 6.5 since this is my third Windows phone, and I couldn't have been more wrong. Windows Mobile 6.1 is clunky and not that easy to use, but at least the structure is clean. The items in the start menu in 6.5 are strewn randomly across the screen in no sensible sequence. Samsung is a great company. I own a plasma and netbook under their brand name and am happy with both purchases, and to be completely fair, the substandard operating system itself is on Microsoft, not Samsung. But Samsung in this case contributes its fair share to make owning this phone a miserable experience. The battery life is surprisingly poor, screen resolution is lower than that of smart phones built three years ago, and the touchscreen is unstable. The keyboard is spacious and although the keys feel cheap, typing itself is probably above average for a smartphone. About the only other positive thing I can say about this phone is that its nice that it has the useful Microsoft Myphone app that saves contacts from previous phones built in, saving me about 40 seconds of downloading it over the air and installing it on my phone. Wow. I'm no stranger to bad phones. I owned the awful Palm 800w for more than a year. The Intrepid raises (or lowers, really) the bar on bad smartphones. The only reason anyone in my estimation would consider this phone is if they're a Sprint customer planning overseas travel (it's one of the few CDMA phones with a SIM card). If that's the case, just make sure you're eligible for a refund when you get home. I honestly wouldn't recommend this phone to my worst enemy.

Updated Dec. 2, 2010

I pretty much shredded this phone in my initial review, and although I plan to return this phone, my complaint about the battery was inaccurate. Battery life is actually much better than any other smartphone I've owned. Phone still sucks though...