Sprint Samsung Epic 4G

usability, performance, design, price, battery

75% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

With each new iteration of Android smartphone we get closer to the perfect device. Samsung took some pretty big steps toward that ideal ‘droid but regressed in others.

Speedy processor; 4G connectivity; excellent physical QWERTY keyboard; front-facing camera for video chatting

Doesn't ship with Android 2.2 out of the box; $249.99 price is $50 higher than other high-end smartphones ; The Verdict: The Samsung Epic 4G is the most feature-packed device out of the Galaxy S series, and is one of the best Android handsets to date

Feature for feature, the Samsung Epic 4G is the best Android device out right now, and certainly the best device in the Galaxy S family. With a snappy 1 GHz processor, 4-inch Super AMOLED screen, 5-megapixel camera, and a fantastic QWERTY keyboard, it...

Big, beautiful display; Roomy five-row QWERTY board with good tactile feedback; 3G/4G/WiFi connectivity; Dual cameras; Responsive controls and speedy performance

Samsung's custom skin doesn't add much to Android and can't be disabled; Plastic materials feel cheap; Sprint's 4G service isn't everywhere and their 3G speeds can be slow; $249 price tag is high, and $10/month Premium Data add-on fee is mandatory ;...

Fast smartphones with big displays and lots of features are a dime a dozen these days. While there's a trend underway towards extreme devices with 4.3" displays and thin profiles, I personally think a somewhat smaller device with a screen in the 3.5-4"...

Excellent screen ; Comfortable, ergonomic slide-out keyboard ; Fast performance in day-to-day operations

Camera LED flash is extremely bright ; Device generates a bit of heat in longer sessions ; Speaker phone quality suffers at higher volume levels

When a manufacturer creates one model in several variants for carriers, you always want to see some character trait stick out. With the Epic 4G, the distinguishing marks start with a screen that’s just beautiful to look at; a sliding keyboard that...

As Elliott explained, the Epic 4G should satiate some of that demand when it's released later this month. Judging from the warm reviews the other Samsung Galaxy smarphones received and my initial impressions, the Epic 4G could well be an excellent...