Written by Brandon on Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Sprint’s Instinct was not to kill the iPhone.


EDIT: Thanks to some eagle eye’d readers – turns out I’m wrong in almost all of this post when it comes to the pricing. As it all boils down the price for the base "everything" plan will run you about $70 and runs up to about $100. The kicker is that price includes unlimited texts which on AT&T would run you an extra $20. So depending on how you look at it – Sprint is either $10 higher or $10 cheaper.

Thanks to Chris (phonemag.com) and mannypr for bringing me back to reality!  :)

In case you’ve been under a rock … the latest contenter for the iPhone killer title is the Samsung Instinct.

But unfortunately, Engadget (in a post that has since been removed as of the time I write this) is letting us know that Sprint is pretty much shooting itself in the foot and forcing "everything" rate plans on the device.

Unlike the phone-that-shan’t-be-named, according to Sprint’s site their new hotness requires an all-in Everything plan, which starts at $100 and goes up from there. Pretty lame if you ask us, Sprint has way more advanced devices than the Instinct already out in the market that have no such requirements — and did we mention AT&T and the fruit company’s plans start at $60?

I just don’t understand the decision process these guys are taking some times. I mean if you’re going to compete with AT&T and the iPhone why the heck would you force a price plan that’s $40 OVER the basic rate plan for Internet and voice with the iPhone? I mean I can understand EVDO and increased data utilization – I get that – but why force a high priced voice plan? Why not let someone get the device on a lower priced voice plan and add-on unlimted data at say $30-$40?

Anyway – this isn’t just Engadget blowing smoke – looks like the proof is in the pudding so to speak. I checked out the site for Sprint’s new hotness and there it was staring me right in the face:

Nice work Sprint. So much for this week’s iPhone killer.

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More in iPhone/iPod Touch | 6 Comments


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Chris Davies
Apr 3, 2008

Engadget pulled the post because they got the pricing wrong – Instinct does require an Everything plan, but they start at $70 not $100. And that gets you unlimited SMS, which would cost an extra $20 a month for the iPhone.

More: http://www.phonemag.com/sprint-instinct-confusion-requires-at-least-70-everything-plan-042201.php (Disclosure: I wrote this!)

btw, first-time commentor, long-time reader (and linker) :)


mannypr
Apr 3, 2008

The information is actually incorrect. The “Everything” Plans start at 69.99 with 450 minutes of voice and unlimited data, text, navigation, SprintTV, N&W at 7pm, etc. The Simply Everything plan is the top plan of that series and is the 99.99 plan mentioned that beside all that includes unlimited anytime minutes. AT&T closest offering is the Talk, Text & Web 900 that costs 109.99, only includes 900 minutes and lacks many of the add-ons.


Brandon Steili
Apr 3, 2008

Thanks – I’ll update the post shortly. *Note I’m not a Sprint customer … so thanks for clearing all that up for me. I’m sure you’ll both agree that quickly trying to asses a calling plan from another carrier (in the middle of the night) can be a PITA!
:)


Chris Davies
Apr 3, 2008

Oh I definitely agree! Irony is, I’m in the UK but know more about US plans than what is available over here.

Thanks for the link, Brandon :)


Brandon Steili
Apr 3, 2008

I’ve looked at plans in the UK .. they’re just about as big a mess as they are here.

And the link was definitely deserving – set me straight :P


weiganla
Apr 3, 2008

Brandon, what do you have against Greek flatbreads? Anyway, I’m on Sprint and they’ve been bombarding me with emails about the super plans. Here’s a link to Sprint’s site: http://tinyurl.com/yomavy

Apple rate plans are here: http://www.apple.com/iphone/easysetup/rateplans.html

At 450 minutes, Sprint costs $10 more but has unlimited texting ($20 more for iPhone) and unlimited N&W. At 900, Sprint is $10 more but has unlimited texting. The iPhone’s unlimited voice/data plan is $20 more than Sprint’s and still doesn’t include unlimited texting.

I think it’s pretty clear which plan is the better deal, but is the Instinct going to be killer or basic?

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