Customer reviews from Samsung US
Samsung - Exhilarate I577 4G Cell Phone (Unlocked) - Black
Average customer rating
4.3
(71 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 71 reviews
5 Stars
38
4 Stars
23
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
4
1 Star
1
90%of customers recommend this product.
(
61 out of
68)
Customer Reviews for Samsung - Exhilarate I577 4G Cell Phone (Unlocked) - Black
Customer Rating
3
Don't bother unless it has an updated OS.
on October 3, 2013
Posted by: Aggravated2
I've had this phone for over a year. I like the size since I can keep it in my shirt pocket. That's about as good as it gets.
If you think you have to have one, make sure the latest software is installed. Don't walk out of the store without checking the following. Mainly, check that you have Baseband version I577UCLH3 (best) or I577UCLB8 (original default), and Ice Cream Sandwich OS. I believe ULCB8 will be Gingerbread, but can be updated on a PC.
My phone came with Baseband I577UCLD2 and Gingerbread OS, which can not be upgraded without sending to Samsung or taking it to a Bestbuy and having it re-flashed, then new software installed, which will delete everything on the phone, so back it up if you have to do this. I spent over three hours on "chat" to find this out. And that was after several hours downloading and installing all the latest drivers and Kies software and trying to do the update.
With Gingerbread and I577UCLD2, you can't open text files with the .vcf extension (contacts sent from another phones contact list) without downloading the file, then trying to find the download app, then opening the file and saving to contacts, then calling the number. Newer versions open the text message without issue, which is how I found this out and why I was trying to update in the first place. How mine got out with I577UCLD2 is a mystery since no one (I was with three different reps) could tell me how that could happen.
This phone will lock up for no apparent reason, although it seems to do it more often with it plugged into a charger. Once locked up, the only thing to do is a hard boot by taking the battery out.
This phone is tough, I must admit. I have a plastic cover that fits over the sides, top, bottom, and back, but leaves the screen open. It has been dropped countless times with no damage. The screen is still unscratched and I don't have a film on it.
Unwanted apps can be removed from the screen by holding a finger on the app icon, then dragging up or down, much the same way they can be rearranged. They are still there, but not using up battery life, which is too short as it is. Let the sales rep remove everything you don't think you'll need. It will all still be available if you decide later you need it, just not visible.
I drop a lot of calls, but I think it has more to do with poor cell service than the phone, although the antiquated OS may be at fault as well.
Photos in text messages often refuse to download, even when clicked on. Again, it may have to do with the cell service available and not so much the phone. Of course it could also be the OS, which, come to think of it may be the problem also.
Photos are no where near as good as Samsung's main competition, but are acceptable, although low light doesn't even come close to the competition.
It may be a setting, but when I save photos to the SD card (installed), they end up on the phone for some reason. I haven't looked into why that happens. Probably the antiquated OS, again.
To remove the SD card requires a sharp, pointy something or other. It sits in so far that it's difficult get my fat fingers in far enough to push it in to release it. That may not be all bad though.
A nice feature would be the ability to block unlimited unwanted calls. The only way to do this is by saving to contacts (I name them all Scam) so that when you get a call you will know whether to answer or not. There's probably an app for that, but with all the unwanted apps already installed, something useful like this would be a big help.
The display has auto adjust for ambient light, but will darken the screen to black in daylight to the point it can't be read.
Overall, I think the Exhilarate is a decent phone, although I don't have any experience with any other smart phone, and operations are fairly straightforward.
My main disgust with the Exhilarate is the OS and inability to update without sending it in or taking it somewhere to have it done.
With an updated OS I'm sure it would be just fine.
Pros: Bright display, Durable, Lightweight
Cons: inability to update the os via a pc
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Features
3
Performance
3
Design
4
Value
3
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Great phone. Needs the ICS update.
on June 17, 2012
Posted by: Gryfel
from New York, NY
Expertise:Intermediate
The phone is one of the best. Personally, I don't like the large screens so 4" is right for me. The techs specs are amazing for this price.
Samsung and AT&T, I'm your huge fan. Please do not forget about the ICS. Don't just update the big guys. This phone deserves it.
Samsung and AT&T, I'm your huge fan. Please do not forget about the ICS. Don't just update the big guys. This phone deserves it.
Pros: Bright display, Inexpensive, Realistic color, Lightweight
Cons: no ics. hope for the future.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
5
Design
5
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
PJ's Review of the Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate
on June 27, 2012
Posted by: pjcamper
from New York, NY
Expertise:Intermediate
Great device, easy to use, fun to use and packed full of features. The only down side I can find is that you cannot remove preloaded apps you might not want.
Pros: Built-in speakers, Bright display, Inexpensive, Durable, Realistic color, Lightweight
Cons: cannot remove unwanted apps.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
5
Design
5
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
4
Love it!
on August 27, 2012
Posted by: ashykaye2007
from Las vegas
Expertise:Beginner
I love it, its my first Android phone so i cant compare really, but my phone before this was the blackberry torch, and i couldnt do anything with the BB. I love it its easy to use, has great picture and quality, i would give it 5 stars but i cant delete some apps that i wont ever use. Other than that i love my samsug galaxy exhilerate! i would definetly recommend this phone it was also cheap too!!
Pros: Built-in speakers, Bright display, Inexpensive, Durable, Realistic color, Lightweight
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
5
Design
5
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
My Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate
on September 20, 2012
Posted by: Veliere
from Seattle
Expertise:Intermediate
A powerhouse of a budget phone. Wow. My first Android phone and I am loving it. Fast, very good picture taking and the apps. Happy!
Pros: Bright display, Inexpensive
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
5
Design
3
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
THIS IS A GREAT PHONE
on October 7, 2012
Posted by: PHONETECH
from SOMEWHERE, TN
Expertise:Intermediate
I LOVE THIS PHONE BEING IT IS MY FIRST SMARTPHONE.
Pros: Built-in speakers, Bright display, Inexpensive, Durable, Lightweight
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
4
Performance
5
Design
4
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
great phone
on October 13, 2012
Posted by: misfit1512
from indiana
Expertise:Intermediate
i think this phone meets all the stuff i need in a phone
Pros: Built-in speakers, Bright display, Inexpensive
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
5
Design
5
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Love it!
on October 15, 2012
Posted by: lovesamsung100percent
Expertise:Intermediate
I love my new phone. It links great to my tablet!!!
Pros: Inexpensive
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
5
Design
5
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US