QUESTION
Hi Mark.  Have you tried out the Samsung Saga from Verizon Wireless?

ANSWER:
Hello, 

Before I write my answer to your inquiry, please keep the following in mind:

1.
This is just my opinion and is in no way definitive. 

2.
While it is true that I am an A T & T Wireless subscriber, I am also a Verizon Wireless subscriber, as well.  (I know, I know, it’s ridiculous but it’s true.) This means that I speak without bias against or for either company.

3.
My opinion is based on my use of the Samsung Epix, only. 

4.
At the bottom of this post, you will find a link to an official review of the Saga conducted by professional wireless device reviewers. 

OK, on with the Show.

Understand that the Samsung Saga is Verizon’s version of A T & T Wireless’s Samsung Epix.  Very often competing wireless providers will purchase the same basic model of a device, tweak it a little, and brand it with a unique name.  Examples of this would be the HTC Touch Pro and the HTC Fuse; another example is The Samsung Blackjack 2 and the Samsung Ace.  I trust that you get the idea. 

Intuitively, you might think that other than the wireless signal, and software differences, not much would differ between sister-devices.  However, this is not true.  For example, if memory serves, the Fuse runs slower than the Touch Pro and the US version of the Touch Pro runs slower than the unlocked European version of the Touch Pro.

Likewise, even though they were released at basically the same time, the Saga has less onboard memory, a slower processor, and uses a much less powerful battery than the Epix, just to name a few differences. 

Kenny, I am writing strictly from memory and sometimes I get the facts confused because I investigate many, many wireless devices.  So, forgive me if my words are not perfectly accurate.  I assure you, though, that what I am saying is true in the sense that, for some reasons, companies really do tweak these phones. 

Oh, one definite difference between the Saga and the Epix is that the Epix can accommodate a 32GB card while the Saga is rated for only a 16GB card.  Why?  I surely do not know.

But I digress.

The review that follows my comments will describe in more detail the call quality of the Saga.  I can tell you that it is not as good as the Epix.

With the help of a friend of mine, who manages a Verizon Wireless store, I finally got my hands on a Saga, today.  By the way, no matter where I search in the Los Angeles area, I cannot find a Verizon Wireless store that has any of the Saga phones in stock.  According to my friend, you may only purchase them online or have a corporate store order one for you.  Why is this?  Again, I have no idea.  Trust me on this one, after poling no fewer than 40 Verizon Wireless stores in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego County, I can honestly say that the phone began to seem like a myth to me.  Further, the Saga I reviewed today was a demonstration model, only.  It was not for sale. 

OK, getting down to it. 

After she placed the Samsung Saga in my hand, I can honestly say that, were I Verizon Wireless, I would not keep it in stock, either.  Why?  Because I would be embarrassed to sell such a cheaply made device.

Now again, I say this because, in my other hand, I held the Saga’s sister phone, the Epix. 

Given the price of the Saga and the general description of the device, I suppose I expected it to be made with the same high quality craftsmanship of the Epix.  Boy, was I wrong.  Thinking in terms of Parker Brothers Monopoly board game, if the Epix is Park Place, then the Saga is Ventnor Avenue.  (Big Smile)

The Saga has a very cheap feel to it.  The QWERTY keyboard, which is kind of curved, felt awkward to me.  Now, I will admit that it is probably more ergonomically pleasing but, then again, I hate  ergonomics.  The touch-screen had a lot of give to it–kind of like cheap thick rubber.  The phone actually had a little give to it when I put just a little pressure on it, simulating the pressure it would endure in my shirt pocket.  It did not creak, exactly, but kind of. 

Two days ago I woke up in bed and began searching for my Epix.  I remembered falling asleep with it as I listened to a podcast.  I didn’t raise up in bed, I just kind of felt around the area.  Not finding it, I figured it had fallen off the bed or something.  I drifted back off to sleep.  When I woke up a few moments later, I noticed that something felt funny under my back.  I raised up, and, yes, you’ve got it boys and girls, there it was, my beloved Epix.  It was not damaged in the slightest.  And for the record, I weigh approximately 200 pounds.  And mind you, this was not the first time I had slept on top of it.  HMMMMM!  I wonder if this means something.  (Big Smile) 

My point is that the Epix is as solid as they come.  In short, it is a brick house.  The Saga, however, is not.  I have no doubt but that were I to roll on top of the Saga, neither the touch-screen nor the keyboard would survive. 

So, there it is in a nutshell.  I am not familiar with all of the models offered by Verizon Wireless but, in my opinion, I would not purchase the Saga.

OK, I hope this helps.

Click Here to read a professional review of the Samsung Saga.

Mark