Samsung Instinct to require $70 service plan

Last week we told you that the highly-anticipated Samsung Instinct would goes on sale on Friday, June 20. Though the exact price of the Instinct is still unknown--Sprint is promising that it will cost less than $300--today the carrier announced that the slick touch-screen phone will require a $70 per month voice and data plan.

The "Simply Everything" plan will give customers unlimited data and messaging on the Internet-centric handset. Night and weekend minutes will be unlimited as well, but anytime calls will be capped at 450 minutes.

In comparison, the cheapest plan for the iPhone runs $60 per month. Though it also offers unlimited data and 450 anytime minutes, customers are limited to 200 text messages and 5,000 night and weekend minutes. It's uncertain how the iPhone plans will change when Apple announces the 3G iPhone, but it is clear that with the Instinct, Samsung and Sprint are trying to give Apple and AT&T some competition.

[druzicka]

I'm pretty sure, iPhone customers are limited to only 200 text messages, not 2,000. Here's the link http://www.apple.com/iphone/easysetup/rateplans.html. Enjoy.

[Lerianis]

All of these plans are TOO DARN EXPENSIVE! What's the deal here? There is no reason why, in this day and age, whenever a new cell phones come out they jack up the prices.

[ejeon1989]

Because these phones are still "smartphones". The unlimited data plans themselves are at least $40. Throw in a text message package and the minutes, you can easily see these plans go into the $60+ range. Personally though, the Instinct's basic plan is much better than the iPhone's basic plan.

[Eddieklown]

You would think cell phones plans would be cheaper by now. But now they add data packages and texting into the plans in order to make these high priced plans justified, but it not at all worth it.

[Kiwami]

Dood.. the iPhone isn't cool because its cool.. it's cool because of the buzz apple created for it.. umm.. sprint.. go make some cool commercials, you have less than 20 days to make 'everybody else' love the phone.. blackberry is learning.. they've got ads on mtv .

[Lambert John]

Cell phone plans are a cash cow for their providers. Very high margins! Think about it; most people couldn't live without their cell phone. How many people do you see yakking on their phone on a daily basis? Lost count didn't you. As long as people pay these outrageous monthly fees, the providers will keep jacking them up. That's how they make money. That's the reality of the 21st century and the world's most popular communication toy. Get used to it. It isn't going to get better.