Samsung ATIV Odyssey Review

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Posted: 28 Jan 2013, 04:42, by John V.

Categories: T-Mobile T-Mobile Verizon Verizon Samsung Samsung Windows Windows

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Call Quality:

Honestly, the call quality is superb on both ends of the line, since they’re clear, distinctive, and distortion free. Even better, the volume out of the earpiece is extremely powerful, which makes voices more than audible. Still, there’s only one issue that we find – and it’s related to the speakerphone. Specifically, the loudest setting produces a subtle amount of muffling with voices.

Signal strength isn’t a problem with this one, especially when it’s able to maintain a solid LTE connection indoors. During our time using it in the greater Philadelphia region, we didn’t experience any dropped calls or major fluctuations with its signal strength.

Battery:

Generally speaking, the majority of LTE devices are known to be huge battery sippers. However, we’re surprised to say that the Samsung ATIV Odyssey manages to deliver some unexpected results with its 2,100 mAh battery. In fact, we’re able to get 20 hours of usage with a fully charge battery, which is more than enough to get most people through a solid work day. Still, it’s something that requires nightly charging.

Conclusion:

Samsung is no doubt embarking on an odyssey with this venture, which should be a refreshing thing to see for Big Red’s customers. Attached with a very easy-on-the-wallet price point of $49.99 with a 2-year agreement, there’s plenty of things to like about the Samsung ATIV Odyssey – especially when it performs rather well in pretty much all categories. Despite that, though, we have to say that it doesn’t quite pack the same level of value seen with the Nokia Lumia 822’s set of exclusive apps. Knowing that, the compromise made here with the ATIV Odyssey is the fact that it’s not benefitting in any way with the platform experience over its main rival in the Nokia Lumia 822 – even more when they’re both priced the same.

Software version of the review unit:
OS Version: 8.0.10211.204

Samsung ATIV Odyssey Video Review:

Pros

Inexpensive price point
Smooth performance
Includes a microSD card slot

Cons

Bland design
No noteworthy exclusive apps

PhoneArena rating:

User rating:

Not rated

How we rate

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Carrier	New Contract	Contract Extension	Add a Line	Phone Only
	$9.99	$9.99	$9.99	$479.99	Buy

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Samsung ATIV Odyssey

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1. Necromancer posted on 28 Jan 2013, 06:35 4 0

Sorry Samsung.. If its Windows 8, its gotta be a Nokia!

2. tashreef posted on 28 Jan 2013, 06:46 1 0

same here....

Windows Phone=Nokia ... Nothing else...

3. IU_Lover posted on 28 Jan 2013, 06:48 0 0

lol, why don't they included earphones/headset?

4. papss posted on 28 Jan 2013, 06:56 0 0

Yuck.. Looks terrible and has nothing appealing on the inside.

5. Jyakotu posted on 28 Jan 2013, 14:49 2 0

Basically, it's boring and bland and Samsung didn't even TRY to include anything to make the phone standout. Sorry Sammy, you can't skin WP8 to be different. You have to bring it with the hardware and software.

6. snowgator posted on 28 Jan 2013, 15:37 0 0

No reason to pick this over the 822. None.

Just do not understand. The actual ATIV S would have given a serious WP line up on Big Red. The 4.8" screen, expandable memory, the removable battery would be great selling points and something that no US carrier has to offer as far as WP 8 devices go.

This? Non-started.

7. cdgoin posted on 28 Jan 2013, 16:01 0 0

Why compare to the Marauder and Lucid..? Shouldn't they compare to the HTC 8X and Nokia 920..?

8. 19chany8 posted on 20 Mar 2013, 04:45 0 0

Samsung is just no good to make windows 8 phones..........
Leave it to nokia

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