I LOVE it!! October 6, 2012

Reviewer:  Lauryn Dierschke 

I tend to drop things, and this phone is STURDY! I dropped it 6 times. Yes, I counted. The features are very fun, and like a smartphone, but with out the extra prices!

Fills my needs October 3, 2012

Reviewer:  Nick 

I'm one of those people who is not connected at the hip to their phone. I don't use any apps, check my email, or surf the web on my phone. For strictly texting and making calls it does the job, which is why picked it out. My only real complaint is how sensitive the screen is, which I swear on my life sometimes I don't touch it and it will do things. For some reason it always signs on to the mobile browser or apps page. Surprised I haven't unknowingly purchased anything. I'm pretty conscious about locking it though, so it's not a big problem. Sometimes when I push to call someone it doesn't register right away on the touch screen. Overall, it's not great or terrible. I think some people were in over their heads thinking this is a smart phone or close to one, which it is far from. Quite sure that's why it is labeled as a BASIC phone, so I would only recommend it if you're like me and need it for just that, the basics.

Not nearly as good as OLDER Samsung Basic phones!!!! January 18, 2013

Reviewer:  Furman Walter  (Anderson, South Carolina) -

I got this basic phone to get out of the Verizon Smart phone contract. It is the worst basic phone I have ever owned! I had trouble with the phone even in my pocket hitting keys as I took it out to answer. It would not pair correctly (Bluetooth) in either of my cars!!! A 2012 Jeep Wrangler and a 2010 Lexus LX. I went to Verizon and to the Jeep dealership for help in pairing. It will not work in MANY cars so I was told. I found an old Verizon Phone (Samsung Flip U410) I used many years ago and LOVE the OLD phone!!! It is now conected and works GREAT for a basic phone!!! I plan to sell the Brightside next week or even give it away!!! I would not recommend this phone to anyone. Looking on the "Brightside" my old Samsung is working great!!!!!!

Great Phone - not so great blue tooth March 29, 2012

Reviewer:  Gamul "Gamul1"  (Needham, MA United States) -

I'm going to focus on one aspect of this phone primarily because so many others have already touched up the usual aspects of this phone. In short - as a phone this phone is great. Very clear calls, no drops. Comfortable to hold. Love the slide out keyboard for texting. UI is about as bland as you can get - buts a basic phone so oh well. And, the UI can easily turn itself on in your pocket. I found a couple of times that it activated the screen and turned on a few apps in my pocket. Guess I'll have to look and see if there is a better lock code than the simple swipe.

OK - my issue with this phone is the blue tooth. Bottom line is the blue tooth on this device sucks.

I used to have a smartphone - Droid Incredible Android phone. I had bought a blue tooth headset a few months back and between that phone and the blue tooth device it was great. Calls were clear and loud enough, no problems really with the connection between the two. I down graded my phone because I just never use the smart part of the smart phone. I use it as a phone only. So why am I paying for a plan on this thing?

With this new phone - the Blue Tooth device very often disconnects from the phone, within minutes of the device being connected. Can not reconnect unless you turn the blue tooth device off and on again. But it will often disconnect again with in minutes. Interestingly - it has not disconnected while on a call yet so thats a small plus. However, when I am talking I have noticed that the sounds on this device is not as loud as when it connected to my Android device. I would not have thought that was possible as it would be the blue tooth that controls it - but its very noticeable. I have a hard time hearing now and others have a harder time hearing me. Same blue tooth that worked beautifully on the other phone - and still works beautifully on my wife's Droid Incredible. So - this phone is not so good with blue tooth. For me - I spend a bit of time on the highway - so blue tooth was very important to me. If its not for you then I would highly recommend this phone.

great phone but.... March 17, 2012

Reviewer:  shadye  (Houston, USA) -

I love this phone. It has everything a teenager would want. But the touch screen is really touchy. Like I keep calling people. And if I'm useing the T9 word at starts to grease then restarts it self. Or it will start typeing all sorts of letters. That's why there's a but there. So I am debating if I should take it back or just. deal with it.

Needs improvement May 13, 2012

Reviewer:  Moose  (Detroit, MI USA) -

The phone turns itself on easily if you put it in your pocket, even if it's supposedly locked. 80% of the time I take the phone out of my pocket it is on. Once it even turned on and dialed a number in my speed dial. In short, they need to make a better lock-switch. After I got a cover for the phone it improved a little.
The music player app is a royal pain. It is NOT iTunes compatible!!!!!!!! The app interface shows you can find songs my name, artist, genre, album...okay. But if you rip you CDs to MP3 using iTunes only the song name will appear on the phone, thus navigating to a n artist or particular album is not possible. I was told by a Samsung Live Chat tech that ONLY MP3s work on this phone -- even though the manual list AAC, AAC +, wav etc-- and that you must use Windows Media Player app to rip your CDs or convert to MP3 to enable artist, album sorting to function. This is a HUGE drawback. I cannot attest that even works. I have to find a PC that I can use first to try it. I will report back success or failure....stay tuned!!! ( just not iTunes :-( )

On the plus side for the phone: call sound quality is ok. Music playback sound is fine. And custom ringtones are as simple as drag/drop your mp3 from your computer into the ringtones folder.

Addendum: using Windows Media Player to rip your CDs works to enable browsing by title, artist, album etc.

I love it!! May 14, 2013

Reviewer:  Daniel R. Cole 

I had the old flip phone, didn't want to upgrade, but this phone made it easy to change over and actually fun. I am enjoying the options and I don't even have a data plan. It was nice that I can arrange the icons to what I use.

Wonderful phone for anyone April 21, 2013

Reviewer:  Davidthesecond 

wonderful phone.I just got the Samsung Bright-side and i love it.With it being a touchscreen and it opens gives me the best of both worlds. I have heard of people having troubles with banners and online backups, my advice would be to get rid of your internet and block it.If you dont use it and dont want the banners then, without the internet you wont have the problems.Without the internet the phone runs quickly and smoothly.If you have problems with your battery( i have not had troubles ) turn off your vibrate it saves the battery! While this phone doesn't have an actual Background for your home screen, your screen savor is your picture that you choose. I went in to upgrade for it and i went to radioshack and i only had to pay 50$ while i have heard other people paying up to 115 for an upgrade.I did have a smartphone but wanted to downgrade because i already have internet and dont use my phone for that but wanted a phone that has similar features and can get internet if i ever changed my mind.I have seen some bad reviews for this phone but mostly it comes from people who do not know how to run their phone or went into this phone for the wrong reason. All bad reviews aside this gets a 5 star from me for a wonderful basic phone for all of those who want a nice phone without internet.It isn't as fast as a smart phone but without the internet it is still unbelievably fast. If you want a smart phone get a smart phone, this isn't one but damn if it isn't as close as it can be to one while saving the internet bill and giving you good features. I got it on 4/21/13.

Pros: Cheap,Quick, Easy access to most features,Touchscreen and slide open, doesn't need internet but can if you want, durable, can have memory card, good camera, if you have internet it can go between devices.Wonderful phone!

Cons: main screen has to be the quick clicks( but can be arranged and changed), pictures load slow but you get used to it, not as fast as a smart phone.

Great Reliable Phone March 22, 2013

Reviewer:  Jason Mayer  (New Jersey, USA) -

I don't know what other reviews are saying about the SD card reader not working properly, or any other problems with the phone. I've had the phone for 2 years, and it's still operating as good as new! This phone has a great touch screen, great call quality, and great interface. It has a nice slide out QWERTY keyboard, and the buttons work flawlessly.

AWFUL PHONE March 16, 2013

Reviewer:  Hollie Brockington "Hollie Sramek"  (Bryan, TX) -

I had this phone for over a year and Since I just wrote a long and scathing review on the Verizon site I'm not sure I can remember it all- 10 things are wrong with it: 1.menu options suck - list or grid; orange or green. 2. memory card doesn't read well in that it keeps saying it's full when it isn't 3. turns off on it's own (same with intensity II but 8 months earlier with this phone) 4.ringtone is not capable of being bluetoothed or put on SD card; one has to RECORD it with the voice recorder into "sounds to MAYBE get it to work! 5. Alarm NEVER worked. 6. Calendar NEVER worked. 7. The messages DESPITE showing up in bubble format when I first got the phone - turned into an order received system instead of conversation based system so it was difficult to keep track of conversations.8. Received pictures have a white frame around them making them hard to see since they don't take up the full screen! 9. Apps weren't usable except Tetris. 10.The few times I wanted/ needed to use the internet it was completely useless because the touchscreen sucked 11. RANDOMLY HANGS UP ON PEOPLE IF YOU PICK UP THE CALL THEN UNPLUG IT

This was a HORRID phone - like only second to the Samsung Reclaim I had with sprint which I happily saw runned over by a car (even though it wasn't intended!) I am happy back with my Intensity II for now (although I miss my memory SD card and still hate the turning off thing) and I doubt me or my husband will be getting another Samsung since his Marauder hasn't fared much better in the 6 months we've had it!

Don't buy--impossible interface March 12, 2013

Reviewer:  CW 

This phone has very touchy buttons or a mind of its own, or both!
-Very easy to turn on ringtone, even if you've chosen "no ringtone"
-I'll unlock the phone and it will be on random pages that I've never seen. Even if the phone has been sitting on the desk.
-In silent mode, the phone will still make noises to tell you it's running out of battery.
-The interface sucks at every step. I just tried to add a mobile number to a contact, and it took me 5 full minutes to figure out that you have to tap on the phone number to get it to save the info. This, after pressing save (which apparently does nothing).
-It's very difficult to answer calls without hanging up. Half the time, the phone doesn't let me know someone's calling anyway.

I really wish I had picked a different phone. STAY AWAY from this one!!!

Phenom February 26, 2013

Reviewer:  John Eisendrath  (Tumwater, Wa) -

Great phone ... No problems ... Read other reviews that explain bypass of problems others reporting. Hard to find good touch phones.

Small problems, but overall great! February 9, 2013

Reviewer:  Pikachubuddy 

I have had the phone for about a month now, and it has been wonderful for me! My only minor complains is that sometimes (it has happened for me once or twice) it will randomly turn itself off on the lock screen. My only other complaint is the low battery sound is completely loud, even when the phone is on silent. It also still makes the low battery beep after the phone has shut off because of low battery. I had mine with me in school and the only way I could get it to shut up was to take the battery out. I had a LG Octane before this phone, and they are very comparible in quality!

I hate this phone January 31, 2013

Reviewer:  Jessica Luke  (SD USA) -

PRO (yes, I said pro, it's only got one):
Touch screen is not just pressure sensitive but also static. (So doesn't just unlock screen while in purses, but still can if in your pocket at times, but not as easily as just pressure screens, like the LG cosmos touch I previously used)
CONS:
Cannot personalize as much as other phones.
Slide out keyboard is tough to open and end up dropping it more often than opening it. Would not recommend for heavy texters as its really annoying to drop your phone every time you try to open it to text.
Really odd width to height/depth ratio. Makes it harder to hold on to firmly (at least for people with kinda small hands).
Very slippery surface around back and sides of phone, also makes it hard to grip, and just end up dropping more easily.
Touch screen has unnecessary menus at the bottom which get bumped all the time and makes phone make unwanted calls.
The way it's programmed while texting someone if you receive a text while in process of typing, phone automatically opens the received message and saves yours as a draft (and sometimes not and you have to start over.)
Ringtones are the worst to choose from that I've ever heard, very few also compared to other phones out there.

I haven't even had this phone for a week and I absolutely hate it. It feels like its a cheaply made piece of crap. I text a lot and the slide keyboard is rather difficult to open as it is too thin and slippery to hold on to, so I drop it all the time. Also hard to hold on to because of it's dimensions, its really wide for it's length and depth which also is part of why its harder to open the slide keyboard. It's just very oddly shaped and I don't like it especially for this reason. I don't really like the touch screen, you cannot calibrate it yourself so sometimes its picky about what exactly you're pressing but I do like the fact that the touch screen is not just pressure but also static, so generally it doesn't just get bumped unlocked if it's in a purse/bag, but will if it's in your pocket. I don't like the fact that you cannot put a picture of your own for the wallpaper except on the lock screen. Yeah, that's great, I can see my beautiful dog's picture for about half a second every time I have to UNLOCK my phone and then I have to see its ugly menu screen. Once the screen is unlocked it is the menu options that you see, just like in the picture here you cannot change this to a wallpaper. You only get a choice of 2 colors for it green or orange. I don't particularly like either of the colors they provided. I don't like how there is a menu that takes up the whole unlocked screen and I cannot have a background picture there and only when the screen is locked I can see it. Personalization is important to me in a phone and this does just not do it for me. Also, because there is automatically a menu screen pulled up when unlocked it makes it really easy to press things while it's in your pocket or something. The touch screen menus at the bottom you cannot change and they are really not necessary: "voicemail," "recent," "keypad," and, "contacts". They are unnecessary (except for keypad) because you have the menu screen already on the entire front of the phone which already has "contacts," most people hit the "send" button on the phone to view their recent calls. Most people don't need to check their voicemail unless they get a missed call and when that is the case it notifies you of the missed call and asks if you want to dial voice mail and the notification stays until you do it anyway. But because this option is there, it is pressed all the time when it just accidentally unlocked and my phone seems like it is constantly calling my voicemail or my recent calls, or opening my contacts to call a new one. I hate the way it's programmed while texting someone if you receive a text while in process of typing, phone automatically opens the received message and saves yours as a draft, or sometimes not and you have to start over, but then the draft will appear in the draft folder a few minutes or hours later after you don't need it and started over already. It's very frustrating. Oh, and the ringtones to choose from on the phone are not good at all.

I absolutely hate this phone and would never recommend it to anyone. But my sister does seem to like it better than the LG cosmos touch we last had, but I do not at all though, I am switching back to my old one as soon as possible!

I dropped it on CARPET and the screen broke.. December 24, 2012

Reviewer:  Courtney Taber  (Colorado, USA) -

I have had this phone for about 4 months and it has already broken. I have not dropped it much but one false move and i dropped it on carpet.. CARPET!!! Im not hapy about this product.

I LOVE this phone December 23, 2012

Reviewer:  name 

I have had this phone for a few months now and it is amazing I use it all the time and only have to charge it twice a week it charges fast and has an amazing battery life. sometimes when I go to send pictures it will tell me my memory is full even after deleting all texts but it only happens occasionly. I love this phone the volume is perfect the keyboard is just right. yeah some people dont like that you cant set a picture backround but you can set a picture as your lock screen. I recomend this phone %100

phone has a few problems December 21, 2012

Reviewer:  km  (Colorado) -

I bought my brightside at costco, and once the phone updated itself the wallpaper screen has a
darken area at the top and the bottom. It did not matter whether it was one of their selections or
my picture. The bars do not appear any other screen. The costco kiosk Rep thought the phone was defective so
I was able to return it for another which appeared okay at first. Once this phone updated itself, the dark
bars appeared again on the wallpaper. I took this phone to a verizon store and they tried everything
that I had done to clear the bars, but nothing worked. They felt that some update had been done
by samsung to their phones in general that was affecting my samsung brightside. They said I should call
Samsung. The touch screen seems very sensitive, and I am continually dialing people when trying to scroll through my contacts. I wouldn't recommend this phone. I found the book necessary to learn the nuances of
this new phone.

Horrible. Don't waste your money. December 10, 2012

Reviewer:  JLK 

I purchased this phone with my contract renewal a couple months back. Within weeks, everything that I had read was wrong with this phone came to pass. A mind of it's own is an understatement. It does whatever, whenever it wants. I finally sent it back when it became the boss of how and when it decided to charge the battery. It wouldn't take a full charge and then it decided that it would refuse to die and turn off, instead beeping at a random constant, at 2 am or 4 am every morning, until I took the battery out. The replacement phone has already started showing the same problems.
I would rather chew my own arm off than have to ever use this product again. I'm shopping for a new phone right now.

great little phone December 10, 2012

Reviewer:  Mudtail 

this is a truly great little phone and i truly love it. it can take a beating and holds up nice. it also has plenty of nice cases to make it the ultimate fashion accessory if you cant afford or have an android. the touch screen is nice along with a sliding key board for those ultimate texters. the screen is pretty scratch resistant provided its being used how it should.

Flimsy piece of junk December 6, 2012

Reviewer:  AJVD 

This phone has been nothing that I would ever buy again. Less than 6 months after purchase, it was randomly shutting off. This continues to be a problem, making it completely unreliable, frustrating and a waste of money. Why can't non-data plan users have a decent phone? I miss my ENV3!