Samsung OMNIA HD i8910 Review
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Introduction:
Our patience has been rewarded. We have just received a final version of one of the most interesting cell phones as of now – the Samsung OMNIA HD, also known as i8910 HD depending on the region it sells. Actually we like the OMNIA HD better, because it sounds far more intriguing than just another name with numbers in it. We are going to take a closer at the phone a bit later. First, let us remind you what is so fancy tickling about the phone. It is all in one device sporting the largest (3.7-inch) AMOLED screen to have ever been integrated on a cell phone in recorded history. It features 16 mln. colors and 360x640 pixel resolution, just like the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. Moreover, its 8-megapixel camera that allows HD video capture and playback makes it a pioneer among all the cell phones on the market. The device sports DivX and Xvid video support. The OMNIA HD runs on a Symbian OS modified with manufacturer’s TouchWiz 3D interface, so it’s also smart indeed. On top of that it features Wi-Fi with DLNA, 7.2 Mb. capable HSDPA, GPS, HDMI, accelerometer and comes with either 8 or 16GB built-in memory and expansion slot to allow use of an up to 32GB card. Last, but not least the manufacturer have managed to pack all these features in a 12.9 mm. thin body.
What's in the box?
- Samsung OMNIA HD i8910
- Charger
- Stereo headset
- microUSB cable
- CD with software
Design:
Most people who have seen the phone go on with “Jeez, now that´s one huge screen!”. You hardly need be worried or startled though. Holding it in your hand the phone feels solid, despite it´s almost entirely made of plastic. Its size and weight are balanced really well, it´s thin and the 3.7-inch touch sensitive AMOLED display makes it quite comfy to use. The latter features capacitive technology, meaning you should touch the screen using your fingers. In addition, there is light sensor located next to the video call camera. Just as expected, the screen delivers beautiful, saturated colors albeit in artificial lighting only. Unfortunately, you can hardly see any details on the screen if you take the phone outdoors in bright sunlight, especially if you happen to forget to wipe the fingerprint-smudged surface clean. There are three hardware keys on its front side, the send/end buttons and another one that calls up the main menu. They are fairly large and have good travel, so you feel that quite distinctly.
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The size and weight of the Samsung OMNIA HD i8910 are balanced really well | ||
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You can compare the Samsung OMNIA HD i8910 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.
The volume rocker, microSD slot, screen lock/unlock button, microUSB port and camera shutter are located on its left and right hand sides, while 3.5 mm. jack and both stereo speakers can be found on its top and bottom.
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The buttons on the left and right hand sides | |
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Top | Bottom |
We need to point out that plastic surface on its back side simply adores fingerprints. Our other negative comment here is the back cover opens way too easily, there is no apparent lock mechanism and we felt as if it was about to come off anytime. It´s possible that the issue affects only the unit we tested. What else is there onto the back panel? One of the most interesting and important features of the i8910 HD – the world´s first 8-megapixel camera that supports HD video capture (720p equal to 1280x720 pixels). You can take a look at the sample pictures and a video in the multimedia section of this review.
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The plastic surface on the back of Samsung OMNIA HD i8910 is a fingerprint magnet | ||
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31 Comments
1. dorky24 posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:55 0 0
Could you please also post what came in the box? Also, does anyone know how I would be able to purchase the editing software for quickoffice if i live in the US? And thanks for the speedy review!! Cheers!!
2. C00L posted on 29 Apr 2009, 19:29 0 0
Thanks for a really inciteful review. I cannot wait for this phone to hit the UK market. Will you be able to use Nokia 5800 or other Nokia themes on this phone as I dont like the yellow they use in some of the UI? And will it be available on 3 uk network? Or Virgin uk? Thanks alot to anyone who can answer.
3. panacea224 posted on 29 Apr 2009, 22:53 0 0
Great review guys. The Omnia HD sounds amazing, too bad it's going to cost a ridiculous amount of money.
4. redman posted on 30 Apr 2009, 07:26 0 0
Can this be sync'd with Outlook (for all typical WinMo stuff like contacts, calendar, notes)? I have been using WinMo devices since my life exists in Outlook on my PC and I need the phone to mirror all of that data without any effort. Thanks for any feedback.
29. Luiz Ocean posted on 16 Mar 2010, 20:06 0 0
I have the same problem. I cannot use mobile withou outlook. I´d like to buy this Omnia, but I need to know how to sync with Outlook. Well, please let me know
5. irispen posted on 30 Apr 2009, 10:04 0 0
Not so good review.. -what is inside the box? -does it have TV-Out for non HD via cable? -opinion about the quality of HD video should be wider -more HD videos sample please. also some D1 Is the sample HD video was really from final unit? why the heck that it has only 8khz?
12. madesina posted on 02 May 2009, 04:22 0 0
Who uses TV OUT on their phone???????????????? NO ONE! And if you do, stop using it. get a life. And furthermore, it only records at 24fps anyway, it's really not that impressive. And in my opinion, the UI is rubbish. It looks like it was made for 6 year olds.
15. Legion posted on 02 May 2009, 17:25 0 0
"Who uses TV OUT on their phone????????????????" He obviously does. Alot of people want to know that as its an extremely useful function. Seriously.
6. heavybreathing posted on 30 Apr 2009, 14:03 0 0
WHAT CARRIER IS IT GOING TO BE ON? I hope it's not Verizion...if it is i'll prob switch over... Looks like the Iphone has a real competitor after the huge Storm failure.
7. bng posted on 30 Apr 2009, 18:41 0 0
it probably will since Verizon alredy has the first Omnia...... i really hope it dose...
8. dorky24 posted on 01 May 2009, 03:23 0 0
I doubt it as the official name for this phone is no longer Omnia HD, but I8910HD. Besides, I really doubt this phone will officially come out to the U.S. @heavybreathing, if you are using a service that uses a SIM card, you can just purchase this phone unlocked.
10. heavybreathing posted on 01 May 2009, 06:09 0 0
I noticed that. Problem is...it's probably a $500-600 phone.
9. surethom1 posted on 01 May 2009, 05:24 0 0
Is there still no kinetic (flick) Scrolling on Symbian s60 v5 menu's, contacts, photos, if not then this phone is not for me, come on samsung if Symbian will not enable it WHY dont you???? Lazy
11. Gooney posted on 01 May 2009, 17:52 0 0
It looks terrific if the battery lasts.... however, claiming that watching video of ANY resolution on a 3.7 inch screen is breathtaking, just screams, that, well, maybe his girlfriend told him that 3.7 inches is breathtaking! And he believed her!
13. NomNomNom posted on 02 May 2009, 09:16 0 0
Nice review! But does it have a lens cover? Don't see it on any of the pictures, but it would be a shame if it hasn't one. Can someone please tell me?
14. Charbax posted on 02 May 2009, 15:30 0 0
What bitrates, which formats, which encoding complexities, which audio formats does it support for HD playback? Does the TV output support HD resolution TV output something like HDMI output full HD digital quality or is it just some standard resolution tv output? What is the purpose of the HD playback if you can't display the HD quality using the phone itself but have to decode it on the TV DLNA local network set top box. Do you have other 720p recorded clips in your gallery showing the actual sound quality? Does it support high quality Bluetooth microphones to be used for high quality wireless sound recording in 1280x720 video camcorder mode?
16. wanghao6207171 posted on 03 May 2009, 06:48 0 0
that's quite an awesome phone, with superior specs compared with N97 and idou. I wanna buy this phone, when will it come out?
17. heavybreathing posted on 06 May 2009, 08:31 0 0
This review gave us very little information. When is this phone coming out? How much will it cost? Whats in the box? Who is it coming to? Etc?
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