Your device is packed with features that simplify your life and expand your ability to stay connected to the people and information that are important to you. This section will guide you through the basic functions and calling features of your device.
Earpiece lets you hear the caller and automated prompts.
Signal Strength Indicator represents the signal strength by displaying bars. The more bars displayed, the better the signal strength.
Main LCD (display) displays all of the information needed to operate your device, such as the call status, the Contacts list, the date and time, and the signal and battery strength.
Main Functions Key allows you to access your device’s Main Functions menu, such as Favorites, Main, Fun, and Web.
Back Key returns you to the previous menu. This key also allows you to return to the previous page in the Web browser during your Sprint Power Vision session.
Phone Functions Key allows you to access your device’s Phone Functions menu, such as Speed Dial, Contacts, History, and Dialer.
Camera Lens, as part of the built-in camera, lets you take pictures and videos.
Speaker lets you hear the different ringers and sounds. The speaker also lets you hear the caller’s voice in speakerphone mode.
Headset Jack allows you to plug in either a stereo headset (included) or an optional headset for convenient, hands-free conversations.
CAUTION! Inserting an accessory into the incorrect jack may damage the device.
Accessories/Power Cable Jack allows you to connect a power cable or a USB cable.
CAUTION! Inserting an accessory into the incorrect jack may damage the device.
Volume Key allows you to adjust the ringer volume or adjust the voice volume during a call. The volume key can also be used to scroll up or down to navigate through the different menu options.
Microphone allows other callers to hear you clearly when you are speaking to them.
Camera Key (
) lets you access the Pictures menu and take pictures and videos.
Speech to Action Key (
) activates the Speech to Action function that lets you dial phone numbers by speaking a name or a phone number.
microSD Slot lets you use the microSD™ card to expand the memory of your device. (See “microSD Card” on page 96.)
Power/Lock Key (
) lets you turn the device on or off, end a call, or lock the device. While in the main menu, it returns the device to the unlock screen and cancels your input. When you receive an incoming call, press 
to enter silent mode and mute the ringer.
Your device’s display screen provides information about your device’s status and options. This list identifies the symbols you’ll see on your device’s display screen:
shows your current signal strength. (The more lines you have, the stronger your signal.)
means your device cannot find a signal.
indicates you are “roaming” off the Sprint National Network.
indicates you have new text messages. (It also indicates when you have a missed call or a voicemail message.)
indicates you have an upcoming alarm event.
indicates Sprint Power Vision service is dormant. (The icon is animated while service is active.)
indicates your Sprint Power Vision connection is active (data is being transferred).
indicates your device is connected to the Sprint 1xRTT data network.
indicates ringer volume is set to either Beep-1 or between Levels 1 - 8.
indicates ringer volume is set to Vibrate All.
indicates Silence All mode is set.
indicates battery charge level (icon shown is full).
indicates battery charge level (icon shown is empty).
indicates a battery alert, device will soon shutdown (~20% power remaining).
indicates Bluetooth technology is active and enabled.
indicates the Bluetooth device is connected to a wireless headset.
indicates a connection issue with a paired Bluetooth device.
indicates Bluetooth is actively transmitting or receiving data.
The Samsung Instinct™ is lightweight, easy to use, and reliable, and it offers many features and service options. This list previews some of those features and provides page numbers where you can find out more:
Digital dual-band capability allows you to make and receive calls while on the Sprint National Network and to roam on other 1900 and 800 MHz digital networks where Sprint has implemented roaming agreements (page 55).
Sprint Power Vision provides access to the wireless Internet in digital mode (page 150).
The built-in Bluetooth® technology allows you to connect wirelessly to a number of Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as printers and headsets (page 125).
Email (page 156) and SMS Text Messaging (page 144) provide quick and convenient messaging capabilities.
Games, ringers, screen savers, and other applications can be downloaded to make your device as unique as you are (page 168). Additional charges may apply.
Your Contacts list allows you to store up to 600 entries, with up to seven phone numbers per entry (page 65).
The built-in Calendar offers several personal information management features to help you manage your busy lifestyle (page 77).
The Location feature works in connection with available location-based services (page 45).
Speed dial lets you dial phone numbers with one or two touches (see page 35).
Mobile SyncTM is a service that allows you to back up all of your contacts to the Sprint Web site and then restore them if your device is ever lost, stolen, damaged, or replaced (page 103).
Press 
, located at the top of the device. 
Once your device is on, it may display “No Service.” When your device finds a signal and an available network, you are ready to begin making and receiving calls.
If your device is unable to find a signal after 5 seconds of searching, a Power Save feature is automatically activated that searches for a signal periodically without your intervention. When a signal is found, your device automatically returns to the unlock screen. (You can also initiate a search for Sprint service by pressing any key when your device is turned on.)
|
Tip |
The Power Save feature conserves your battery power when you are in an area where there is no signal. |
Press and hold 
for two seconds until you see the powering down animation on the display screen.
Your screen remains blank while your device is off (unless the battery is charging).
|
WARNING |
Use only Sprint-approved or Samsung-approved batteries and chargers with your device. The failure to use a Sprint-approved or Samsung-approved battery and charger may increase the risk that your device will overheat, catch fire, or explode, resulting in serious bodily injury, death, or property damage. |
These batteries and accessories can be found at Sprint Stores or through Samsung®; or call 1-866-343-1114 to order. They’re also available at www.sprint.com.
Your device is equipped with a Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery. It allows you to recharge your battery before it is fully drained. The battery provides up to 5.75 hours of continuous digital talk time.
When the battery reaches 20% of its capacity, the battery icon (
) blinks. When there are only a few minutes of talk time left, the device sounds an audible alert and then turns off.
|
Note |
Long backlight settings, searching for service, vibrate mode, browser use, and other variables may reduce the battery’s talk and standby times. |
|
Tip |
Watch your device’s battery level indicator and charge the battery before it runs out of power. |
Make sure the power is off so that you don’t lose any stored numbers or messages.
Press down on the end of the battery compartment cover (just below the embossed Samsung logo), slide the cover off (1), and remove the battery from the device (2).
|
WARNING |
Do not handle a damaged or leaking Li-Ion battery as you can be burned. |
Charge your battery as soon as possible so you can begin using your device.
Keeping track of your battery’s charge is important. If your battery level becomes too low, your device automatically turns off, and you will lose any information you were just working on. For a quick check of your battery level, glance at the battery charge indicator located in the upper-right corner of your device’s display screen. If the battery charge is getting too low, the battery icon (
) blinks and the device sounds a warning tone.
Always use a Sprint-approved or Samsung-approved desktop charger, travel charger, or vehicle power adapter to charge your battery.
Plug the flat end of the charger into the device’s Accessories/Power Cable Jack and the other end into an electrical outlet.
With the Sprint-approved Li-Ion battery, you can recharge the battery before it becomes completely run down.
There is no longer a need to use a navigation wheel or dial pad button. The Samsung Instinct™ is a
touch-sensitive device which allows you to not only select an onscreen option with a single touch, but also scroll through long menu lists by simply sliding up and down through the display with either a stylus or by using your fingertip.
Accessing Menus
When the device is locked and 
is pressed, the Instinct displays the unlock screen.
To access the device’s Phone Functions and Main Functions menus, you must first press and hold 
to unlock the device (as described at the top of the unlock screen).
The Phone Functions menu is the first one displayed.
To access a menu:
Press 
to access the Phone Functions menu.
– or –
Press 
to access the Main Functions menu.
As you navigate through the menu, menu options are presented onscreen as scrollable lists that allow up or down navigation.
|
Note |
The One Hand Operation of the menus is set to Right Handed by default. See “Changing the One Hand Operation Setting” on page 23 to change to Left Handed. |
To navigate through a scrollable menu:
Touch a desired onscreen menu tab (located at the bottom of the screen).
Touch and gently press an onscreen option.
From the available list of options you can either:
Touch and gently press an entry to activate it.
Firmly press and slide your finger up or down the screen to scroll through lists of menu items. Scrolling on your Instinct requires that your press more firmly on the screen than the gentle press required to open menu items.
The image below shows how to access the Display menu (
> Main > Settings).
For a diagram of your device’s menu, please see “Your Device’s Menu” on page ii.
|
Tip |
When scrolling through a list (see illustration on the right above) make sure NOT to tap or press individual entries on the list. This action will open the list entry. |
|
Tip |
The screen on your device is touch-resistive, which means that when you touch an item to select it or when you drag your finger to scroll, you have to press down slightly to activate the item. This helps avoid selecting menus or items unintentionally. You can adjust the touch sensitivity of your screen through the Settings menu. See “Touch Settings” on page 44. The smaller the contact point on your screen, the less pressure required. In this case, touch the screen with the tip of your finger, your fingernail, or the stylus. |
As you navigate through the menu, menu options are highlighted. Select any option by pressing it on screen with either your fingertip or a stylus.
For example, to view your text messages:
Press 
and touch Main (
) > Messaging. (If you have any text messages, they are displayed.)
This drop-down screen provides some quick device reference information such as: Date, Signal Strength, Ringer Status, Battery Charge Status, Power Vision status, as well as new messages and emails.
Touch the top line of the LCD screen.
Touch the popup screen once to close it or wait a few seconds for it to automatically hide.
The Instinct allows you to configure the Power Search tab to be on either the right or left of the screen.
As an example, when the Right Handed option is selected, the Power Search tab is located along the right side of the screen and Contacts entries are then selected by pressing their name fields along the left side of the LCD.
Press 
and touch Main (
) > Settings > General > One Hand Operation.
Touch either Right Handed (to place the Power Search tab along the right of the LCD) or Left Handed (to place the Power Search tab along the left of the LCD).
There are several pages where you’ll be asked to make a field selection and then enter a value by either touching the up/down selection arrows or quickly sliding through these values by using either your fingertip or a stylus. One such example can be found within the Alarm page.
Press 
and touch Main (
) > Clock > Alarm > 
.
Touch the Time field and then adjust the hour and minutes values by using either the up/down input arrows or by quickly sliding over the numbers.
The Instinct allows you to detach an entry from a list and then either move its location (within that same list) or drag it into the Trash Bin for deletion.
From a screen containing entries, touch and hold an entry. You will notice that it turns a lighter blue as it detaches from the list.
While still holding the entry, wait until it appears to detach from the current list and an outline forms over its current location.
Place it in a new location (as with a Speed Dial entry) by hovering it between two existing entries and then releasing it.
– or –
Delete it by dragging the entry over the Trash Bin (
) and then releasing it. The entry then disappears into the icon.
To go to the previous menu:
Press 
.
|
Note |
There might be cases where pressing this button will not exit the current menu. In these cases, try pressing another Functions menu button to “release” the current activity. For example, if you are in the dialer and pressing |
To return to the unlock screen:
Press 
to turn off the display and then press 
again to reveal the unlock screen.
To exit out of your current application:
Press 
or 
.
Press 
and touch Main > Settings > General > Phone Information. (Your phone number and other information about your device and account will be displayed.)
Placing a call from your device is as easy as making a call from any landline phone.
Make sure your device is on.
Press 
and touch Dialer (
).
Enter a phone number using the onscreen dial pad. (If you make a mistake while dialing, press 
to erase the numbers.)
Touch 
. (The phone number appears in the 
button.) (To make a call when you are roaming and Call Guard is enabled, select Roam Call and touch 
where the phone number now appears. See “Using Call Guard” on page 57.)
In a single motion, touch and slide 
to the right when you are finished.
|
Tip |
To redial your last outgoing call, touch either Redial or access the History page and then touch the number from the list. When making calls off the Sprint National Network, always dial using 11 digits (1 + area code + phone number). |
You can also place calls from your device by using speed dialing numbers from your Contacts (page 35) and using your History listings (page 62).
When you enter numbers from the Dialer, you will see three dialing options displayed on the screen.
To initiate an option, touch the corresponding button.
Save: Enter a seven-digit or ten-digit number (phone number and area code) and touch Save to save the phone number in your Contacts. (See “Saving a Phone Number” on page 32.)
Access Voicemail (
): Touch to access the visual voicemail application. (See “Using Visual Voicemail” on page 134.)
Pause: Insert a hard pause to the current phone number. A hard pause requires that any consecutive numbers be manually sent by touching Talk. (See “Saving a Phone Number” on page 32.)
To answer a call while the device is active:
Make sure your device is on. (If your device is off, incoming calls go to voicemail.)
Touch 
to answer an incoming call. 
Other options include:
Silent to mute the ringer.
Ignore to send the call to your voicemail box.
Your device notifies you of incoming calls in the following ways:
The device rings or vibrates.
The backlight illuminates.
The screen displays an incoming call message.
If the incoming call is from a number stored in your Contacts, the entry’s name is displayed. The caller’s phone number or picture may also be displayed, if available.
To answer a call while the device is locked:
When the device is locked, neither the LCD or side keys are active. This prevents accidental activation of a device feature or LCD.
When you receive an incoming call, your LCD illuminates and indicates the Caller ID information.
If the caller has been previously entered into your Contacts list, the name, number, and associated photo (if available) will be displayed as a floating card on the screen.
To answer the call, slide this virtual card up towards the Answer field.
To ignore the call, slide this virtual card down towards the Ignore field.
Call Guard is an option that helps you manage your roaming charges when making or receiving calls while outside the Sprint National Network. Please see “Roaming” on page 55 for more information about roaming.
Touch Answer to answer the call. (See “Using Call Guard” on page 57 for additional information.)
|
Note |
When your device is off, calls go directly to voicemail. |
In a single motion, touch 
and slide to the right.
When an incoming call is not answered, the Missed Call log is displayed on your screen.
To display the Missed Call entry from the “While you were out” screen:
Touch an entry from the list.
To display a Missed Call entry:
Press 
and touch History (
).
Touch an entry from the list to begin dialing the associated phone number.
You can place calls to 911, even if your device is locked or your account is restricted.
Press 
and touch Dialer (
).
Enter 
and touch 
.
|
Note |
When you place an emergency call, your device automatically enters Emergency mode and remains in this mode until you manually exit. |
During an emergency call, slide the speaker button to On to activate speakerphone mode. Slide the speaker button to Off to deactivate speakerphone mode.
To exit Emergency mode:
In a single motion, touch and slide 
to the right to end the 911 call.
To inactivate the Emergency call back mode:
Touch and slide 
to the right to end a 911 call.
Call a non-emergency number. See “Making Calls” on page 26.
Read the Alert notification screen.
Touch Yes to exit the Emergency call only mode and return to normal device operation or No to remain in this mode.
This device features an embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) chip necessary for utilizing E911 emergency location services where available.
When you place an emergency 911 call, the GPS feature of your device seeks information to calculate your approximate location. Depending on several variables, including availability and access to satellite signals, it may take up to 30 seconds or more to determine and report your approximate location.
|
Important |
Always report your location to the 911 operator when placing an emergency call. Some designated emergency call takers, known as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) may not be equipped to receive GPS location information from your device. |
To select an in-call option, touch the corresponding onscreen button. The following options may be available:
Mute or Unmute to toggle the onboard microphone’s mute state (on/off).
Touch Mute during a call to mute the microphone.
Touch Unmute to unmute the microphone.
On or Off to route the device’s audio through the speaker or through the earpiece.
Move the slider to On to route the device’s audio through the speaker. (You can adjust the speaker volume using the volume keys on the side of the device.)
Move the slider to Off to use the device’s earpiece.
|
WARNING |
Because of higher volume levels, do not place the device near your ear during speakerphone use. |
Contacts (
) to display your Contacts list.
Dialer (
) to display the onscreen dial pad. Where you can choose to Save the current number, End the call, or Cancel the current dialer operation.
Press 
to access a variety of In Call Applications, without ending your current call, such as:
Contacts, Call History, Messaging, Notes, Calendar, Clock, Calculator, and Phone Info.
Press Back to Call to return to the previous In-Call screen.
After you receive or make a call, the device provides you with three end-of-call options:
Redial to dial the last outgoing or received phone number.
Save to store the current phone number into your Contacts list.
|
Note |
If the current number has already been stored to your Contacts list, Save is replaced with Contacts. |
Done to exit from the end-of-call screen and launch the Speed Dial screen.
If no action is taken after a few seconds, the device automatically activates the Speed Dial screen.
Your device can store up to 600 phone numbers in each of seven Contacts entries. Each entry’s name can contain 64 characters. Your device automatically sorts the Contacts entries alphabetically. (For more information, see “Contacts” on page 65.)
To save a number from the unlock screen:
Press 
to unlock your device.
Press 
and touch Dialer (
).
Enter a number and touch Save.
Touch a label (Mobile, Home, Work, Pager, Others).
Touch the Enter Name field and use the onscreen keyboard to enter the new contact name. See “Entering Text” on page 35.
Touch Done on the keyboard to store the new name.
Enter information into any of the other desired fields by using the onscreen keyboard/dial pad.
Touch Done to save the new entry.
To save a number from the end-of-call screen:
After you have received or made a call, the device displays end-of-call options.
Touch and slide 
to the right to end the current call.
Touch Save.
Touch either New Contact or Existing Contact.
Touch a label (Mobile, Home, Work, Pager, Others).
Touch the Enter Name field and use the onscreen keyboard to enter the new contact name. See “Entering Text” on page 35.
Touch Done on the keyboard to store the new name.
|
Note |
The phone number is pre-populated into the Number field. |
Enter information into any of the other desired fields by using the onscreen keyboard/dial pad.
Touch Done to save the new entry.
To save a number from the History screen:
Any recently received or made calls are stored within the History page as a chronological list of entries.
Press 
and touch History (
).
Touch 
adjacent to a desired entry.
Touch Save.
Touch either New Contact or Existing Contact.
Touch a label (Mobile, Home, Work, Pager, Others).
Touch the Enter Name field and use the onscreen keyboard to enter the new contact name. See “Entering Text” on page 35.
Touch Done on the keyboard to store the new name.
|
Note |
The phone number is pre-populated into the Number field. |
Enter information into any of the other desired fields by using the onscreen keyboard/dial pad.
Touch Done to save the new entry.
You can dial or save phone numbers with pauses for use with automated systems, such as voicemail or credit card billing numbers.
There is a single pause available on your device:
Manual Pause (P) requires you to manually send the next set of numbers by pressing Talk.
|
|
You can have multiple pauses in a phone number. |
To dial or save phone numbers with pauses:
Press 
and touch Dialer (
).
Enter one or more digits and touch Pause.
Enter additional numbers.
Touch 
. (The phone number appears in the 
button.)
– or –
Touch Save to save the number in your Contacts. (See “Saving a Phone Number” on page 32.)
Press 
and touch Contacts (
).
You can scroll through the list (up/down) until you find your entry.
– or –
Use the Power Search tab to quickly tab through the current Contacts list based on an alphabetical grouping that is dynamically shown onscreen.
Touch the name you want to call from the list.
You can store up to 99 numbers in your device’s speed dial memory to make contacting friends and family as easy as pressing a button or two. With this feature, you can dial speed dial entries using a single touch. (See “Assigning Speed Dial Entries” on page 72.)
Press 
and touch Speed Dial (
).
Slide your fingertip (or stylus) up and down the screen to scroll through the entry list.
Touch an entry to begin dialing.
|
Note |
Speed dialing is not available when you are roaming; when you are roaming off the Sprint National Network, you must always dial using eleven digits |
Your device provides convenient ways to enter letters, numbers, and symbols whenever you are prompted to enter text (for example, when adding a Contacts entry or when using Sprint Mail and SMS Text Messaging).
From a screen where you can enter text, touch the text entry field.
From the onscreen keyboard, touch the button (shown below) to change the text input mode.
Touching the Orientation icon changes the onscreen keyboard orientation between Portrait (
), Hand Writing (
) (page 38), or Landscape (
) views.
Touch one of the following options:
abc to enter alphabetic characters (both uppercase and lowercase) using the onscreen keyboard. (See below.)
123 !&() to enter either numbers or symbols by using the onscreen keyboard. (See page 37.)
|
Tip |
When entering text, touch Caps to change letter capitalization (ABC or abc). |
To change the orientation of the screen:
Touch 
or 
to change the orientation of the onscreen keyboard.
Touch 
to change the screen to Hand Writing mode (page 38).
There will be times when you will accidentally misspell a word or want to go back and change text without having to delete everything that came after a selected word. This is when the onscreen navigation keys come in very handy. They let you navigate to a specific point in your text message where you can then either add or delete text.
To edit specific text by touching the screen:
Use your fingertip or stylus to touch a location in your text message. The cursor then appears at that location.
To edit specific text using the onscreen navigation keys:
From the text field, touch 
to expand the text window and temporarily hide the keyboard.
Touch 
to magnify and expand the size of the current text. This feature allows you to easily locate the onscreen cursor and navigate its position.
Use the navigation keys to place your cursor in the desired location.
If you make a mistake, press 
to erase a single character.
Press and hold 
to erase an entire word.
Touch 
to compress the text window and display the keyboard.
Touch Done to complete the text entry.
Touch the abc button at the bottom right of the onscreen keyboard. (See “Selecting a Text Input Mode” on page 35.)
Enter the desired text using the corresponding keys. Change the case of the alphabetic characters by touching Caps. (Touch Caps twice for caps lock.)
If you make a mistake, press 
to erase a single character.
Press and hold 
to erase an entire word or line.
Insert a new paragraph by touching 
.
When a current letter is capitalized, consecutive letters return to lowercase until the onscreen Caps key is touched again.
Touch Done to complete the text entry.
Touch 123!&(). When the keyboard displays both numbers and symbols, touch the appropriate key. (See “Selecting a Text Input Mode” on page 35.)
Access additional symbols by touching More.
Touch 123 to return to the Numbers keyboard.
Insert a new paragraph by touching 
.
Touch abc to return to entering letters.
Touch Done to complete the numeric or symbol entry and exit the onscreen keyboard.
The Samsung Instinct™ device is capable of recognizing hand written characters etched onscreen.
|
WARNING |
To properly recognize the written characters and to prevent scratching of the LCD, it is recommended that you use the stylus pen. |
Touch 
to change the screen to Hand Writing mode.
Use the stylus to write out each character. 
Change the case of the alphabetic characters by touching Caps.
When a current letter is capitalized, consecutive letters return to lowercase until the onscreen Caps key is touched again.
|
Note |
Numbers are recognized in the hand writing mode after touching the grey 123 button (just below the text field). To return the handwriting recognition to alphabetic characters, touch the 123 until it reads abc. |
Insert a new paragraph by touching 
.
