Samsung Instinct™ Becomes Sprint’s Fastest-Selling EVDO Handset within First Week of Availability

Just a few days after hitting store shelves, Samsung Instinct has become the fastest-selling EVDO handset in Sprint history. Instinct was first available exclusively to current Sprint customers on June 19 breaking records for the initial launch of any Sprint product. Instinct became available to all customers on June 20; sales continued to be brisk with Instinct breaking Sprint’s record for the first week of sales for any device.

“We had high expectations going into the launch so our initial order to Samsung was the largest for any Sprint EVDO handset to date,” said John Garcia, President of Sprint’s Wireless Division. “The strong early response tells us that wireless customers recognize Instinct as a highly-innovative and convenient touch-screen device combined with the fast speeds available on the largest national mobile broadband network. In the first few days of availability, many Instinct devices were purchased by existing customers upgrading their wireless device – we thank our customers for their endorsement of this device, our Simply Everything pricing plan and our company.”

The record pace of Instinct sales has led to temporary shortages of the device at some locations across the United States. Sprint and Samsung are diligently working around the clock to increase inventory in all sales channels. Samsung has increased efforts to deliver new supplies of Instinct on a daily basis and manufacturing plants are operating at full capacity to keep up with the demand.

"The overwhelming success of the Samsung Instinct reinforces our expectations; people want choices when looking to buy a powerful touch screen phone and the Samsung Instinct is a top contender," said Bill Ogle, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Mobile. "Samsung is working around the clock to meet the consumer demand for this fast and easy-to-use device."

“We know we have a winner in Instinct, especially since Sprint’s EVDO Rev A network offers five times more mobile broadband coverage than the AT&T 3G network based on square miles,” added Garcia. “We appreciate the support from our customers and we are committed to working with Samsung to ensure that every customer who wants an Instinct can get one.”

Instinct was recently named “Best in Show” in the third annual Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Award competition in April at CTIA Wireless 2008. Instinct was also honored as “Most Innovative Product at CTIA Wireless 2008” by the editors of LAPTOP, a leading mobile technology magazine. CNET also recognized Instinct as the “Best Cell Phone” in its annual Cream of the Crop CTIA 2008 awards.

Sprint customers have joined in the praise:

"It’s awesome. I have been a Sprint customer for six years. This device offers every single Sprint feature down to the smallest and jam-packs them all into one device. It is just an amazing device.” – William Leak, Millville, NJ
“Instinct offers easy access to everything I need when I’m traveling or at work… even my music! It’s everything I want in a phone and more.” – Stanley Long, Philadelphia, PA
"I purchased it because it's the hottest phone out there and I love the huge screen.” – Stephan Boyett, West Orange, NJ
"I was out of contract and stayed with Sprint because of this phone! Also your everything plan includes everything, not like AT&T.” – Daphne Wilson, White Plains, NY
“I was blown away the first time I saw the device. The more I play with the device, the more I love it.” – Jennifer Hayes, Edison, NJ

Initial indications show extremely heavy use of the device for email access, web browsing and GPS navigation with Live Search for Sprint providing access to directory information on-the-go, interactive maps and one-touch click to call access. Instinct also offers the ability to quickly share pictures, watch live TV, listen to commercial-free radio and more as Sprint’s first EVDO Rev A consumer device.

Instinct boasts many advanced features including Visual Voicemail, allowing users to listen to messages in their order of preference and manage them with a simple tap of the screen. Additional features include advanced stereo Bluetooth^® 2.0, SMS voice and text messaging with threaded text, picture caller ID, a 2.0 megapixel camera with camcorder, haptic feedback, expandable microSD memory of up to 8GB and Sprint Mobile Sync.