Samsung OMNIA HD i8910 Review

Connectivity:

The Samsung OMNIA connects to local devices via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or USB cable, with the latter offering the fastest transfer speed from and to the handset.

Copying a single file with size of 50 MB in both directions takes about 11 seconds on a USB cable connection, with the average speed peaking at 4.5 to 5 MB/sec., while transferring more files with the same overall size (50 Mb.) proved to take about 14 seconds, with the average speed reaching 3.8 to 4.5 MB/sec. As a whole, decreased transfer speed can be expected when it comes to an increased number of files and we consider the results normal.

Internet:

When it comes to supported functions, the internet browser you get with the Samsung OMNIA HD i8910 is not dissimilar from the one on the Nokia 5800, it just only sports a more attractive, motley interface. All pages and Flash content, including the YouTube player load with almost no problems at all plus navigation on such a large screen feels awesome. Double-clicks or actually double-taps are used to zoom in or out on things, in the first case a small map appears at the top of the screen that shows your current position on the page. If the page is too large to fit onto the screen, you can turn on Overview mode to allow faster scrolling. We really like the idea of zooming through holding and dragging and as a whole, we do not have any complaints regarding the i8910 HD internet browser.




GPS:

Naturally, the Samsung OMNIA HD i8910 comes equipped with a GPS to help you navigate easier in the jungle of streets. Without connection to the Internet, the GPS couldn’t locate our position, although we waited for about 10 minutes. Once we started the A-GPS however, everything fell into place and we got our locale info pinned down in a minute. This is certainly a decent result, although we have seen better (the Nokia 6700 classic, Nokia N86 etc.). We didn´t encounter any issues after a software reset and managed to obtain our location co-ordinates in about 4-5 seconds.

The Samsung OMNIA HD i8910 comes preloaded with several navigational and service applications, depending on where you have purchased the cell phone. The most important one when it comes to navigation is Route 66. It features interface that is easy manipulate, fast to get accustomed to and well optimized for use with bare fingers. Unfortunately, a several months free license is not offered with the Samsung OMNIA HD i8910, so you will have to shell out cash if you feel like getting extra features such as additional maps, satellite photos of different regions, voice navigation, traffic updates or speed camera emplacements.



The rest of the applications relate to the GyPSii service and depend on your current location (they make use of the geo-tagging function). PlaceMe allows you to share snapshots, video and audio files with your friends in real time, while SpaceMe shows you where your buddies and other people registered with the service are located at the moment, plus you have the option to give them a ring or send them text messages or emails. ExploreMe lets you see the spots around your current position that other people have shared on the service. As a whole, the apps might come in pretty handy and we, by no means, consider them redundant software.