Samsung OmniaLITE B7300 Preview

Introduction:

The Samsung OmniaLITE B7300 falls into the category that new-generation of affordable smartphones are, because it runs the new Microsoft operating system – Windows Mobile 6.5. As its name suggests, the handset is a budget-oriented model of the Omnia lineup. Don´t jump to conclusions on the lightweight Omnia capabilities though. While its hardware appears slightly pruned off, this holds true for the phone’s software and functionality. Let´s first take a closer look at its design.

Design:

Being a budget-oriented device, the Samsung OmniaLITE B7300 doesn’t sport a huge display. Still, the screen measures healthy 3 inches, which is quite good for a low-end smartphone. Its resolution of 240x400 pixels is lower than what top handsets deliver as well, and seems to have an adverse effect on the legibility of cramped texts. Don’t get this the wrong way, things still remain readable and discernible, it´s just we are prone to fiddling criticism at times. 




You can compare the Samsung OmniaLITE B7300 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

The overall design is conservative, but you won´t fail to notice the nice pattern on the back that gives the phone a slightly dainty and stylish look. Actually, the stencil is quite reminiscent of the very same honey-comb template that seems to have inspired the designers of the initial version of the new operating system’s start menu.

It´s worth mentioning that the Samsung OmniaLITE B7300 is equipped with a microUSB port, microSD slot and a special Main Menu button on its left hand side.


The 3.2-megapixel camera on the back lacks a flash, but at least comes with autofocus.

Interface and functionality:

The Samsung OmniaLITE B7300 was initially thought to run Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, so we were pleasantly surprised to see the home screen of version 6.5 and you will notice this is a new-generation smartphone right away. Yet, the novel Windows Mobile still bears most of the flaws that plague its predecessor, such as uncomfortable contacts, calendar etc.



Samsung, of course, are well aware of the fact and have seen to it that the “light” Omnia is equipped with all necessary things, including new apps for your contacts, file manager, calendar, notes (voice notes as well), Java emulator, photo album, settings, multimedia player, unit converter, internet browser (Opera Mobile) and the likes. As you may infer, Samsung´s team must have been hard at work on the software front, but the end result is definitely worth it, because you need to enter standard WM applications very rarely.



The widget-based home screen of the TouchWiz interface is available and can be activated from the settings menu. It offers very good functionality thanks to its several home pages and many widgets that provide fast access to different functions of the phone, plus more can be downloaded from the Samsung catalogue. Please, take a look at the snapshots showing TouchWiz on the Samsung OmniaLITE B7300.


Pressing the button at the bottom on the left side of the phone takes you to the personalized Main Menu. The applications there are quite similar to those appearing in the Start Menu, but they are grouped in four distinct categories – Productivity, Multimedia, Internet and Office. They can be easily rearranged to your liking (they even switch categories), so coming up with your own creative chaos is a definite option, if you feel like it. Apps that haven’t found their place in the four categories pop up on pressing the “Others” key. Moreover, a multitasking application, called “Task Switcher”, is also available – it looks really nice and allows you to easily switch to any running program.



Internet:

Our prototype came with two preinstalled internet browsers – Internet Explorer 6 and Opera Mobile. It´s interesting to mention that this is the first time we have though the former fit for being used and the app even offers overall page view (actually shows the page heavily zoomed out on). Unfortunately, loading pages and navigating your way is still very slow, so we´d rather stick with Opera Mobile.

Expectations:

We need to admit that the Samsung OmniaLITE B7300 managed to pleasantly surprise us. We like the way it feels in the hand and even if the overall design isn’t really eye-catchy, the phone looks nice and no one would take it for your granny´s first handset. We are also quite happy to see Windows Mobile 6.5 and find out the personalization pack has been heavily reworked and is not just a patched version. We hope the Samsung OmniaLITE will roll out at an affordable price and we believe it has what it takes to become quite a success, if offered with the right price tag. All told, the smartphone deserves our green light and what happens next is up to Samsung.

Samsung OmniaLITE B7300 Video Preview: