iPhone 3GS from AT&T. Free ShippingSamsung on a Rant
The Samsung Rant in red.
(Credit: Sprint)Is it just us, or is this deja vu? If we didn't know any better, we've seen one of Sprint's newest cell phones before. The Samsung Rant, which Sprint introduced Wednesday as CTIA Fall 2008 began, looks a lot like the year-old LG Rumor. It has same basic candy-bar shape with similar dimensions (4.5 inches by 2.1 inches by 0.7 inch) and it sports a full QWERTY keyboard hidden that's hidden behind the sliding face. And like the Rumor, the Rant is aimed directly at messaging addicts.
So what gives? Has Sprint run out of ideas? Well...not really. Take a closer look at the Rant and you'll notice that it shows some differences from its LG lookalike. The navigation toggle is square instead of circular, the remaining navigation controls and keypad buttons have a different design and the phone has a certain something that gives it a bit more style. Sure, the Rant still looks like a workhouse, but we like the colored ring that surrounds the sharp display and navigation array. The Rant is offered in three colors: red, black, and an eye-catching purple model that's available exclusively at Best Buy.
The Rant in purple.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)The Rant, aka the SPH-M540, also offers some feature improvements over its predecessor. Inside you'll find a 2-megapixel camera, e-mail and messaging, support for Sprint's 3G EV-DO network, Sprint TV, a music player with access to the Sprint Music Store, Sprint's new One Click interface, GPS with Sprint Navigation, speaker-independent voice dialing, Microsoft Live Search, stereo Bluetooth, and personal organizer applications.
Two of a kind? The Samsung Rant (right) and the LG Rumor.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)We got the opportunity to handle the Rant yesterday. On the whole, it appears to have a solid construction, and it has a comfortable feel in the hand. The controls seem user-friendly, and the keyboard in particular has a spacious design. We imagine that this phone will have a lot of appeal for frequent texters. The only thing we can't get over is the name. We're guessing that the messaging-centric phone will allow users to go on a texting "rant," but we're still scratching our heads. We're also imagining the pun-heavy headlines like the one we used above.
The Samsung Rant will be available next month for just $49 with service. We'll have a full review just as soon as we can secure a test model.
Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent.
The Rant is nice. As most people say, it's heavier and larger than I would like but I can accept it since it has the keyboard. The keyboard, by the way, is so easy to use. I'm beginning to love texting. I get a lot of emails for work and it's nice that I can simply carry my phone to keep up with mail, messages, etc.
One thing that I have heard nobody mention came as a surprise when I got my first phone call. It tells you who is calling. If it is a contact, it announces their name otherwise it tells you the phone number that's calling. Makes it great if you're busy so you won't run to the phone only to find out it's someone you can call back later or avoid altogether!
The reception is outstanding on both ends.
The one thing I hate is the choice or lack of, ringers. The ringtones are acceptable but they all too similar. The musical ones are just too ghetto for me. the M500 had great choices.
Love, love love the audible GPS.
I had to choose between this and the Instinct and I think I made the best choice. One of my sons has the Instinct and another son is getting the Touch Pro. We won't have anything but Samsung. We learned that the hard way.
Love my Rant. However, the USB plug is without instructions, and when you press the Menu...Send Message...Text Message to the Send To Recent; you can't remove none contacts? Example 45689!
BTW, I want a texting/camera phone that is good quality under 100 dollars. is that too much to expect?
please reply, guys, I need your help!
-
by nowayitstay
June 21, 2009 5:04 PM PDT
- ive had the lg rumor for almost a year i think and it was an ok phone. it was always turning off on me whether i was texting or it was just in my pocket . 2 days ago while my phone was in my pocket, somehow my screen broke. so i took it to sprint and they are sending me the Rant. 1st of all im gonna be pissed if they send me a purple one i wanted the red one. the rant sounds like it would be a better phone but im not sure if anyones know what im about to get into plz let me know
-
Reply to this comment
-
(19 Comments)