Microsoft's Kin One and Kin Two were social-networking-focused phones sold on Verizon from May 2010 at $49.99 and $99.99 on contract, with a required smartphone data plan. Microsoft killed the line after about 48 days, and when Kin Studio shut down in February 2011 nearly all of its social features stopped working, though Verizon offered Kin buyers a free 3G device.
This entry is written from the 5 sources listed at the bottom of the page. The numbers are our editorial estimates drawn from that material, not measurements, and no statistical sample sits behind them.
It depends on how you will use it. 21% would buy it again, which means roughly 79% would not. Social features stopped working when Kin Studio shut down in 2011.
Within two months of launch Microsoft had killed the Kin, leaving owners with a discontinued phone. When Kin Studio closed in February 2011 the feeds, social posting and contacts it was built around stopped working, softened only by Verizon's offer of a free 3G device.
Social features stopped working when Kin Studio shut down in 2011. Owners report freezing and screen or backlight failures.
Worth it for: Social-feed-focused texters in 2010; Tech-history collectors. Think twice if: Anyone wanting apps; Budget buyers wary of data-plan costs; Long-term phone owners.
Our reading of how sentiment moves across an ownership period, drawn from the sources below. It is an editorial estimate, not tracked longitudinal data.
| At purchase | 5.5 / 10 |
|---|---|
| First week | 5.0 / 10 |
| One month | 3.5 / 10 |
| Six months | 3.0 / 10 |
| One year | 1.0 / 10 |
| Two years or more | 0.8 / 10 |
Owner reviews move this score. The researched figure stays visible next to it, so you can always see what the sources said before anyone voted.
Leave a review on the live pageEvery complaint and every piece of praise above traces back to these. The summaries are ours; nothing is quoted, and no link, quote or username anywhere on this site is invented.
February 2011: Kin Studio shut down, ending the news feed, social posting, Loop and social contacts; notes Verizon gave Kin buyers from the 48-day window a free 3G device.
Microsoft ended the Kin about two months after launch, days after Verizon cut prices to $29 and $49.
Review roundup: Kin Studio cloud backup praised, but the $30/month data plan, laggy interface and missing GPS, calendar and other basics criticised.
Launch pricing of $49.99 and $99.99 on contract plus a $29.99 data plan; WSJ liked the design and backup, CNET faulted missing features and the required data plan.
Owner reviews average about 6.1/10, praising the camera, battery and keyboard but reporting freezing, lag, screen and backlight failures and missing basic apps.