The initial reviews of the Samsung Epic 4G phone from Sprint are in. Here's a quick summary:
Chris Ziegler with Engadget writes: "Speaking in more general terms, it's really impressive that Sprint has already managed to release two very high-end, exceptionally desirable devices built specifically to take advantage of its 4G network. In fact, we'd say that the Epic and the EVO -- even more than the Pre -- have vaulted Sprint from its status as an also-ran to perhaps the most gadget-savvy carrier in the US today."
Jason Chen with Gizmodo says the Epic is "the best 4G phone and best Samsung Galaxy S phone" He writes: "When you compare the Epic to the EVO, the Epic is the clear winner. Whether it's the slide-out keyboard, better screen, longer battery life or Swype built in, there are plenty of reasons to choose this phone instead. Placed aside the other Galaxy S phones, the Epic still comes out ahead. It's the only one of the four that has 4G, and the only one that has the slide-out keyboard. Most everything else across all four carriers are the same, except for small details in pricing and data plans. But when you're trying to decide between three skinny brothers and a stronger (but fatter) fourth brother, it's clear what the choice is."
Mark Spoonauer with Laptop Magazine writes: "The bottom line is that the Epic 4G is the best device in the Samsung’s Galaxy S line and one more reason to consider switching to Sprint. This feature-packed Android slider sports one of the best keyboards we’ve used, a front-facing camera for video chats, and 4G data capability for blazing fast downloads."
Sascha Segan with PC Magazine writes: "Do you like keyboards? Do you need the click of a physical button to feel like you're actually writing something on your phone? Don't be ashamed if you do. The Samsung Epic 4G for Sprint is the carrier's second 4G phone, and it's the first with a physical QWERTY keyboard. It's a powerful, high-end Android smartphone that is a great choice for Sprint customers, and it's our new Editors' Choice for keyboarded smartphones on Sprint."
Nicole Lee with CNET writes: "Out of all the phones in the Samsung Galaxy S series, the Samsung Epic 4G strikes us as the most desirable for power users... we think the Epic 4G truly deserves its name as its design and feature set make it the all-in-one powerhouse in the Galaxy S family."
Vincent Nguyen with Slashgear writes: "Out of the box, Sprint’s Epic 4G does everything we could ask of it, with the growing space to keep up with whatever Android – and the legion of third-party developers – might have round the corner. Place your pre-order now, people; the Epic 4G is likely to be just as popular as it deserves to be."
To learn more about Sprint's Epic 4G, visit this special site on Sprint.com. You can sign up to be notified of additional news about the phone leading up to its first day of sales on August 31.
