Thursday June 26, 8:00 am ET
Sprint and Samsung working together to meet high demand for Instinct
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Just a few days after hitting store shelves, Samsung Instinct has become the fastest-selling EVDO handset in Sprint (NYSE:S [1] - News [2]) 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:
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.
Instinct costs just $129.99 with a two-year contract after a $100 mail-in rebate. Customers can access the latest information on Instinct at www.instinctthephone.com [3].
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies including serving nearly 53 million customers at the end of the first quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com [4].
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com [5].
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$103.4 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of four main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, and Telecommunication Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com [6].
EDITOR'S NOTE: VISIT WWW.SPRINT.COM/NEWSROOM [7] FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SAMSUNG INSTINCT INCLUDING HIGH AND LOW RESOLUTION IMAGES
Contact:
Sprint Michelle Leff Mermelstein, 703-592-7504 Michelle.Leff@sprint.com [8] or MWW Group for Samsung Brett White, 972-301-5404 bwhite@mww.com [9]
Links:
[1] http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=s&d=t
[2] http://finance.yahoo.com/q/h?s=s
[3] http://www.instinctthephone.com/
[4] http://www.sprint.com/
[5] http://www.samsungwireless.com/
[6] http://www.samsung.com/
[7] http://www.sprint.com/NEWSROOM
[8] mailto:Michelle.Leff@sprint.com
[9] mailto:bwhite@mww.com