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A smartphone has to live up to its name these days. It can’t just view Word documents, pick up e-mails or browse the web. No, it needs GPS, an innovative touchscreen and preferably a side order of HSDPA.
The Samsung Omnia has all that, as you might guess from its all-encompassing name (it’s Greek for ‘everything’). There’s lots more too, such as an interface that keeps you away from Windows Mobile, an operating system that’s capable but uglier than Shane MacGowan.
Tastes like Tocco
The Omnia is set up in the same way as the Samsung Tocco and includes a home screen with a tab containing widgets such as clock, music player and even network label. You can drag any of these on or offscreen to design the screen the way you want.
The Omnia is a good size – larger than the Tocco but still smaller than the iPhone, which some find too galumphing for everyday use. The Omnia is a little thicker from front to back, but its other dimensions are smaller.
Hey, nice lanyard…
Sadly, Windows Mobile always needs a stylus and a pressure-sensitive screen instead of the visually better capacitive touchscreen of the iPhone. The screen certainly looks lush enough, but brings with it an Omnia weirdness.
The extending stylus is too big to fit into the phone’s casing, so, it comes on a little lanyard that attaches to the phone. We’re sure you’ll agree that stylus plus lanyard equals a very uncool method of navigation.
Still, there’s also a touch-sensitive button, like on the Samsung i8510, which you can use to move the pointer about on screen by stroking it. This works well in the excellent Opera Mini internet browser. There’s plenty of speed in the internet page refresh too, thanks to HSDPA at speeds up to 7.2Mbps – and there’s always Wi-fi as a back up, of course.
Slow-witted camera
The 5megapixel camera is a mixed bag. Although image quality is very good, there is a slight shutter lag problem, which makes it much slower to react than the Nokia N95 or Motorola ZN5. Still, the smile shutter works well and it’s easy to geotag photos too.
Beyond the snapper, there’s a highly serviceable GPS setup, not to mention the music player where you have 8GB or 16GB of storage to play with.
Touchscreen phones work on the basis of how compelling the illusion is: when you flick through your photos does it feel like you’re browsing a physical album? Here it does.
So does it beat the iPhone? Certainly its Windows Mobile heart is hidden behind a very capable and attractive interface and it’s also a good size and fun to use, though it doesn’t quite ace the iPhone in any respect. However, if your network isn’t O2, it’s a great new touchscreen contender.
Comments
DesR
3 years ago
Greetings. I have had the pleasure of the Omnia from T-Mobile for two days now and enjoying every minute of the tech time we are spending together! It certainly caters for my every need with Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, Very cool DivX,great sound for my tunes and 8gig memory which I have extended via the very tiny memory card which unfortunately is sited by the sim card so you have to strip off the back! The camera is excellent in my opinion where i work within the CCTV industry and it had one of our engineers chomping at the bit with the image quality, playability and wide angle etc.The touch screen has been quite responsive to my XL wide angled fingertips however have found some slow down and delay when using also the lipstick supplied as a stylus which my wife has been eyeing up quite menacingly. I must admit that the widgets are quite annoying and the fact that there was no instruction manual supplied or with T-Mobile themselves at present as well as online....tested my patience to say the least. Overall I love the look, feel and usability in my every day life both at work and at play and recommend the new love of my life highly to those that want a gadget with a bit of oo la la. I thank you.
Evrae
3 years ago
http://www.reviewcentre.com/review424778.html original review from me and I still love my omnia.
Evrae
3 years ago
Good Points
Pros
Ext memory slot
5mp camera
Looks and feels great
Bad Points
Cons
No keyboard
Ext memory slot is near where you put sim card so not hot swap
Low ram compared to other current models
General Comments
After seeing a video review of the Samsung Omnia I was having doubts about my need for a keyboard as I originally wanted the Touch Pro or the Sony Ericsson Xperia. Anyway, patience and the fact of other keyboard handsets usually are more expensive I chose to go for the Omnia. Its quite a statement claiming it is all you will need but they are not far wrong. You have standard mobile feel with basic text, browse, calling and email plus the 5mp camera which you don't normally find in a windows mobile device. It has a light but not a real flash. The ease of use could cover windows noobs along with die hard wm users as you dont really need to touch the windows os if you dont really want to. It has a fantastic widget system on the today (homescreen) if you want it and you can personalise it by changing themes and backgrounds. (Perfect size for images is 400 x 374) or you can use Samsung today, WM today etc so it is up to you. The shortcuts on the main menu can be edited for your choice. It comes with standard wm applications plus being able to play DivX movies straight out of the box. I really love the headphones that came with the Omnia, they feel good in the ears and mine are sensitive plus they sound great too. The whole pre-installed size (8gb or 16gb) is ample compared to current models of othe handsets but also the ability to add your own micro sd makes it ideal to stick all your favourite music and movies on. I know I am waffling but even though I have only had this phone since yesterday, its brilliant. I hope I have managed to persuade at least 1 person to grab an Omnia and not buy another touch screen phone.
Yes you can send and recieve files via BLUETOOTH, mms and other stuff the iPhone canr do. This is a Windows Mobile device and NOT a icon driven mp3 player with a phone function.
brodes
3 years ago
I had a quick go with this phone in an Orange store, and I warn you know that this is not a desirable phone, unless your one of those wild cards that actually enjoy Windows Mobile 6.1. Its buggy, the screen is really unresponsive, and then suddenly over responsive. The menus are typical windows mobile rubbishness, if thats a word? At least with the HTC Touch Diamond you get a new UI layered on WM6 existing one. If your considering this phone make sure you test it out in person before purchasing it. I went for the iPhone 3G and have never looked back.
joshiboi93
3 years ago
hi I am Really interested in this new phone, but can anyone tell me if you can send songs and other things like that via bluetooth?