Samsung Galaxy Prevail user reviews (Boost Mobile)

Pros Cheap monthly unlimited plan ($50/mo),
responsive and clear screen,
looks nice,
fast processor,
great call quality,
good battery life (if you know what you're doing).

Cons Screen is a little small, but this aids battery life,
the audio alerts are a bit loud and the lowest setting is still a bit loud,
could stand to have more internal memory.

Summary I've been on Boost Mobile for 7 months. Before that, I had the G1 on T-Mobile. I got a Blackberry 8530, but when this phone was announced I bought it upon release. I am NOT disappointed! It's a great phone that's basically a bare bones Android platform. Unlike other carriers, Boost doesn't load their phones with a ton of useless yet memory intensive programs. The phone is fast, responsive, and has exceeded my expectations.

People that complain about battery life: you absolutely MUST manage your applications with a program like Advanced Task Killer (ATK). This is true for all smart phones, even the most high-end ones. Anything you have on your phone may be continuously running in the background. This requires power. I kill all unnecessary programs when I don't need them automatically with ATK, and when the screen is off, the apps are forced to stay off. Also, turn down the screen brightness. I can get 2 days of fairly heavy internet, calling, and phone use between charges.

If you're on Boost, or considering Boost, you will not be disappointed with this phone. The hardest part of Boost is getting switched over originally because their automated system is a bit tough to navigate. I'm sure going to a Boost store would eliminate that. I pay $45/month because I'm on the shrinkage plan and I have friends that complain about paying $100/mo with other carriers. In a year, I'll be paying $35/month!!!!! What other company offers an unlimited play for that price??? There's a stigma with Boost, but until other companies offer a $50 or $60 per month plan, I will not switch.

Oh, and one final note, this isn't the Ferrari of phones, but it is a V8 Mustang or Camaro. The Prevail keeps getting called an "entry level phone." That's just plain incorrect. It's better than other low-end Android phones like Sprint's Sanyo Zio. I get constant 3G service and even in rural areas I have not had a problem with service. In fact, a few months ago I was in Devner, CO driving the VERY remote peak-to-peak highway, and I had service almost 100% of the time.

Pros Slim and light but does not feel cheap. Elegant, understated design. 2.2 is a big improvement for Android. Screen is sharp and crisp. Call quality on both ends has been great. Few lags when operating and decent battery life. LOUD ringer and call vol.

Cons Though better than a year ago, Android on-screen keyboards lag behind iPhone. You still have to play "guess if the widget will fit" and please stop yammering about it being an open OS when pre-installed crap-apps cannot be deleted.

Summary I switched to Boost a year ago after back to back Android flops (HTC Hero, Samsung Moment). Though I still miss my iPhone, I don't miss the $100+ AT&T bill. I have never dropped a call or had a single service issue with the Boost/Sprint service. The phones, however, were eh. I went from a non-smart to a Blackberry and spent three months convincing myself that it wasn't such a bad phone after all. Of course, that was just a mindgame I played with myself. With the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Prevail on Boost, not only did I happily ditch the Berry, I am blown away by how great this handset is. The Android groupies can whine all they want, but iPhone is still king. With that said, this is the first time in a year that I have not felt slighted and frustrated by my post-iPhone devise. The video review here by Jessica D. is, as always with her pieces, pretty spot on and relevant to those of us who don't spend every waking moment obsessing over our mobile phones. When I first took the phone out of the packaging, I was impressed by by the slim profile and compact size of the phone. It's almost the perfect size for a daily use device. It feels light in your hand but not cheap. The seams are tight and create elegant lines. I find the lower left side placement of the camera button to be annoying at times but overall, really nice work from Samsung. You will hear the snob faction of Android users refer to this as a "low end" Galaxy device. Honestly, that does a disservice to the device. No, it's not the phone you are going to watch a two hour movie on and Boost has disabled wireless tethering (but left everything else intact) but I have no use for the tethering feature nor do the vast majority of users. I also have no desire two watch full length TV and movies on a phone. With these two issues meaning little, really, I don't feel that the Prevail is low end anything. Plus, while the high end gang gets that nasty wireless bill every month, I'm spending $45 and get unlimited everything. As you can see, I hit the first Boost Shrink milestone and my bill went down $5. Of course, the phone is not perfect. I had to buy a keyboard app to make the on-screen QWERTY less annoying, the Android Market is still a cluttered mess with way to many apps that literally do the same thing and others that are just junk. On the OS front, Google has done a great job of improving Android. 2.2 is a pleasure to work with, especially after my Android experience last year and three month in that sad Blackberry OS. Still, I genuinely like my phone again. I've seen the phone as low as $149 online and on ebay (new, factory sealed). That's a bargain and almost a steal. I paid #179 at BestBuy and took advantage of an in-store offer than gave me a free $50 Re-Boost credit. That's a full month of service, with five bucks to spare. If you have thought of dumping your contract carrier but didn't for fear of sub-par service or shoddy phones, this phone on Boost will erase all of those worries.

Pros very easy to text with swype, Android operating system, very responsive

Cons locks while on a call and you have to unlock to end call

Summary I have only had the phone for a week, but it is very comparable to my boyfriend's EVO. Lots of free apps on he android market, camera takes great pics and videos, ringer volume is good, has a mp3 player and i can download while albums. And the list keeps getting longer. I was not expecting much because it is a prepaid, but i am pleasantly surprised at how well it functions and the ease of use for someone who resisted getting a smartphone because i thought it would be too much trouble. Got it on sale at Best Buy, Great phone for the money!!!

Pros long battery life, and nice that it is equipped with froyo

Cons i believe they should have put larger screen or slide out qwerty keyboard

Summary This phone is really nice. Excellent response time. And for 2 mp it is a really clear camera and video. Boost Mobile Customers will definitely enjoy this phone as i have