I will agree Sense is kinda bloated but it looks nice.
But for that reason I use Senseless roms and custom launchers.
I can't agree about the 3D.
Mine works great but again I am not using stock kernel so that may help.
My 3G is anywhere between 1.2 to 1.9 megs in most places I go to.
When I first got it I had to have sprint reset it because of bad reception. I downgraded prl also. After that it has been good even after taking new prl updates.
I would already have the LTE if I wasn't enjoying my 3D so much.
The Instinct for sure is a very dumb phone but it was my first touch screen device and it sucked big time.
Older Samsung ( non smart ) phones were built solid.
Did I mention my og Evo got ran over by a fork lift and didn't even scratch.
Still worked perfectly.