Samsung OMNIA Review
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Messaging | ||
A versatile device such as OMNIA cannot have limited messaging options. The main feature here is the convenient modes of text input, which are as follows:
• Block Recognizer
• Keyboard
• Letter Recognizer
• Transcriber
• Samsung Keyboard
• Samsung Keypad
• Samsung Phonepad
We think that the Samsung’s Keypad is the best option for a landscape-oriented display. It is a SureType-like keyboard, which combined with the T9 predictive text support, will let you enter text really fast. If you are using the horizontal view, the full QWERTY is a better solution. The only problem comes from the “space”, which is located on the side and not in the middle, therefore requires some time to get used to.
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Keypad types | ||
The support for attachments allows you to download or send one, in addition to the text body. The phone can be set to synchronize with your company Exchange Server.
Connectivity:
Samsung OMNIA is a quad-band GSM, which makes it a World phone, but regrettably, because of the single band UMTS, it is not suitable for high-speed Internet in the U.S. It supports GPRS, EDGE and HSDPA speeds with the last one getting up to 7.2Mbit/s, when used in Europe.
The phone packs a Wi-Fi b/g radio to allow for data transmission when off the cellular network. For data transfer on short distances, the phone supports Bluetooth 2.0.
The browser is almost identical to the one we saw in HTC Touch Diamond. It is a customized version of the yet-to-be-released Opera Mobile 9.5, and unlike Opera Mobile 8.x it is powered by Opera Mini’s Presto engine. Browsing is, in short, fantastic. Complex HTML pages are rendered flawlessly, panning and zooming is fluid and simple, full-screen mode is automatic and it supports tabbed browsing. Pages are loaded as an overview and the user can easily drag the page to pan around. On top of that, while you are reading through the page, a small map appears which makes navigation easier. HTC Touch for example, doesn’t offer such extras. Another unique feature is the option to zoom out by running a finger on the right side of the display. A double tap zooms in on the selected area and another double tap zooms back out. When zoomed in the browser renders text to fit the view, eliminating the need to constantly drag back and forth to read a paragraph. Rotate the device in either direction and the page moves to landscape view nearly instantaneously.
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Browser | |||
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Pocket Internet Explorer is of course available as well, but we fail to see why it would ever be used.
The phone syncs with a PC via ActiveSync (Windows XP) or Mobile Device Center (Vista.) Users can choose to sync any number of items, such as contacts, calendar, tasks, favorites, notes, media and more. We tested it with ActiveSync and had no issues syncing with our existing Outlook database. Officially there is no Mac support, but programs such as Missing Sync can remedy this. The phone also gives you a Mass Storage mode option when you connect, enabling use of the device as a USB drive
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42 Comments
1. 8lias (unregistered) posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:55 0 0
Oh my...I better say this first before any apple fan boys freak out...this phone is so potentially kills the iPhone...well at least trying to.
15. (unregistered) posted on 28 Jul 2008, 03:07 0 0
It might. But just having a 5 megapixel can't solely make it a better phone.
16. (unregistered) posted on 01 Aug 2008, 01:33 0 0
Who said it only had 5mp camera more than a iphone. It can send mm messages, has real GPS (You can install garmin XT or TomTom) record videos do about 20 things more than your fanboy iphone.
24. (unregistered) posted on 27 Aug 2008, 18:56 0 0
well i cant say u are wrong, after all, i define my iphone and i900 in different catalog, iphone will never beat i900 in term of multifunction, but i900 will never beat iphone in term of interfaces, iphone interface is still the best, its smoothness is still unbeatable, but at the same time, i can do much more with my i900. i keep both XD
2. Web (unregistered) posted on 24 Jul 2008, 12:28 0 0
Where is this phone availible? I can't find it anywhere! Anywho, it looks bawlin' might get it over the Touch Diamond.
4. (unregistered) posted on 24 Jul 2008, 14:51 0 0
lol, and u are a retard. Probably another applefaboy... sry but this one kills it in every single way. You're just jealous, cuz you know you can't afford it and it\s better than the stupid lolphone
14. (unregistered) posted on 28 Jul 2008, 03:06 0 0
you're kind of dumb. Whoever that doesn't like the omnia must have an iphone. Wow. I didn't know that. Thanks for filling me in. And he's jealous because he can't afford it? He could be a millionaire for all you know you idiot. It gets on my nerves when people on websites say stupid things like that without even knowing the person. thats like me saying that you think the iphone sucks because you can't afford the high monthly bills. and to me, the only thing that this phone has going for it is the new homescreen (but they said not very customizeable or personalized interface) and 5 megapixels. I don't see anything else that makes it different from other windows mobile phones. *i can't believe you called it "the stupid lolphone. That is by far the stupidest and most childish name I've heard of the iphone. Just stop making yourself look like an idiot and call it crapple or icrap. "the stupid lolphone" is not working too well.*
20. (unregistered) posted on 14 Aug 2008, 11:53 0 0
I doubt you are a millionaire, they have better things to do than read these blogs, let alone comment on them. I'm sick of the iPhone hype, it is like the Motorola Rzr hype...now EVERYONE and their mom has one...not unique anymore - so too will it be with the iPhone, just another piece of junk that everyone has. Makes everyone who has one look like a tool.
5. (unregistered) posted on 24 Jul 2008, 15:31 0 0
Limited accelerometer use!!!! You can use it anytime in everything!
10. (unregistered) posted on 25 Jul 2008, 00:22 0 0
this is explained in the review... there no apps/games using the accelerometer and when u use the screen in landscape mode u cant see some icons
11. (unregistered) posted on 25 Jul 2008, 00:48 0 0
Wow why would you need to use an accelerometer in a game for wouldn't that just be harder?
25. winmo dude (unregistered) posted on 02 Sep 2008, 08:50 0 0
Have you tried a game in iPhone using accelerometer? It's not that hard, and it's somewhat cool actually... But I'm not going to swap my winmo just for that!!
6. (unregistered) posted on 24 Jul 2008, 17:33 0 0
Celebrate originality, it's something can't be beat, unless of course there's a new cellphone revolution. This is a good thing, companies compete...consumers win....cheers.
7. (unregistered) posted on 24 Jul 2008, 18:30 0 0
Who said it has a limited accelerometer use it can be used in any page!, HTC has limited accelerometer use.
8. Court (unregistered) posted on 24 Jul 2008, 18:38 0 0
Which carrier is will this phone be on? I saw a picture of it using a Tmobile card, but also on a different site stating ATT. Tmobile needs a top selling phone, like this, to compete. I'm guessing probably unlocked, but if I'm wrong please post the carrier.
9. Clone (unregistered) posted on 24 Jul 2008, 19:03 0 0
Thanks Phonearena, for being the first one to review the OMNIA. Just waiting for the U.S. 3G model to be released.
12. Skypeuser (unregistered) posted on 26 Jul 2008, 18:24 0 0
Has anyone tried videocalling with this phone? Do you know how that is possible with a service like Skype or Gizmo? BTW, I am in the US
17. (unregistered) posted on 01 Aug 2008, 01:34 0 0
Video calling is good, I was a review of it on other site. Yes skype works, not sure about gizmo
13. semperfi (unregistered) posted on 27 Jul 2008, 04:24 0 0
This very hot phone is upcoming from the beginning of August in Germany and whole Europe...The Rest of the World are in September and the following months in `OMNIA`fever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It`s totally a `must have`smartdigicamorganizervideoplayerphone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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