Samsung Replenish user reviews (onyx black, Sprint)

1.5 stars

"Not Impressed" on May 18, 2011 by kridder0

Pros: "Green", solar charger

Cons: Battery life, Recharge time, Solar charger overheats battery

Summary: As a preface, let me advise that I have never before owned an "Android" smartphone (although I have owned another type)...

As the title suggests, though, I am not impressed. I purchased this as an "upgrade". I have never gotten an upgrade that was such a disappointment! The battery takes (easily) twice as long to charge as it does to discharge (with WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS all off). I am spending MOST of my day at work with the phone plugged in to the computer. I understand that the USB connection only supplies about half the amperage of the wall outlet, but I shouldn't have to plug in at all!!! Didn't have to plug in my other smartphone... Not impressed.

I purchased the solar cover for the phone. Fabulous concept! I was willing to overlook certain other foibles in exchange for being able to charge with light! Caveat in documentation indicates that it is TRULY a SOLAR panel and artificial light won't work. Another bit of disappointment, but, I thought I would try it anyway. I put the solar cover on the phone and left it on the window sill to see how well it worked. After fifteen minutes, the battery percentage went from 77% to 75% - full direct sunlight! I checked and all the radios (WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, 3G) were ON. I turned them all off and gained 1% charge in the next 10 minutes. Something that I would consider a MAJOR design flaw is the lack of insulation between the battery and the solar charger! Overheated battery won't charge! I guess if I am nowhere near an outlet, or I forgot a charging cord, I could use sunlight (in short increments) to charge enough for an emergency call, but,... overall, not impressed.

I loaded "Sprint ID" and downloaded a few apps and games to try, but before I could even TRY them, the phone indicated that it was OUT OF MEMORY! I couldn't BELIEVE it!! I had to stop and go to the "Manage Applications" area and move the downloaded apps to the SD card before I could do anything else! No warning about the phone being so severely UNDER-powered that you have to move apps immediately! But, if you are going to create a new 256 MegaByte phone in this day of GigaBytes, why not make it AUTOMATICALLY download straight to the SD card as a default? Especially if the "Sprint ID" is going to monopolize the memory! I have since removed all "Sprint ID" nonsense and moved everything, that can be moved, to the SD card. Phone is running better. Partly my fault, I have had other phones that needed things moved, but still wish there had been some "upfront" warning about memory.

My son upgraded to a different phone at the same time. He downloaded games, apps, and "Sprint ID" without problem. He was playing a game on his phone and I asked what the name of the game was so I could put it on MY phone (it was cool)! That is when I found out that this phone (Samsung Replenish) is not able to get all the apps and games that most other android phones can get! Nobody has been forthcoming with a reason "why" either!! I asked on the forum. Still waiting... Not impressed.

I have had the phone for 5 full days. I felt I should give it at least a week before making any "return" decisions. Maybe it will grow on me. If I find a reason to keep it, I may re-review it.