the::unwired Reviews the Samsung Omnia

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.theunwired.net/?item=review-samsung-sgh-i900-omnia-windows-mobile-6-1-professional-smartphone' target='_blank'>http://www.theunwired.net/?item=rev...onal-smartphone</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/spt/auto/1217247755.usr2.jpg" border="1" /></p><p>Our pal, Arne, over at the::unwired, has <a href="http://www.theunwired.net/?item=review-samsung-sgh-i900-omnia-windows-mobile-6-1-professional-smartphone" target="_blank">reviewed the Omnia</a> from top to bottom. Overall, it's a great device, but there are a few shortcomings, as Arne points out. Any of you already proud owners of this device? If so, let us know what you think of it.</p>

[RayanMX]

Two major flaws on this device...

1. It's not UMTS/WCDMA/HSDPA 850! :mad:
2. It costs one grand according to Expansys USA (http://www.expansys-usa.com/p.aspx?i=170141)! :eek:

Other than that it's the best Windows Mobile I've seen! :D

I'd get one in an instant if Samsung makes an 850 HSDPA version (not a stripped down version that ATT plans to launch) :mad:

[virain]

I really like this phone! If only it supported T-Mo USA AWS newtork! I would gladly pay the price. On the other hand, some OEMs s.a. WMg promise WM 7 device by the end of this year. Let's say it will be available in the next 6-7 months... It is very discouraging to shell out a grand, just to spend as much or maybe more (I don't expect new WM 7 device be cheaper than current WM 6.1) in a few months. So, if there was a way to get Omnia to work on T-Mo 3G, I wouldn't wait for WM 7.

[Fritzly]

$1000 is way overpriced; besides the next money I will spend on a WM based phone/PDA will be something running WM7 and only if the new OS will keep up with the leaked info about it.

[burtcom]

$1000 is way overpriced; besides the next money I will spend on a WM based phone/PDA will be something running WM7 and only if the new OS will keep up with the leaked info about it.

Wow -- The Omnia and the HTC Diamond Pro cost more than a usable laptop.

Geeze -- I really don't want to spend more than $600 on a phone.

I'm nursing along my ETEN M700 now -- it's old , has a lot of wear, and has been opened a few times by me to resolder a few things, but it's still ticking along.

When it goes I'll probably get a Tytn II -- by then the ROM guys will have a working WM7 for it I'm sure :)

[wmm]

Yes, the unsubsidized version is way too expensive for me to consider. This is one of the phones on my short list of what to upgrade to in the fall, after I become eligible for a subsidized AT&T upgrade, assuming that AT&T picks it up. Unfortunately, the FCC filing that was just approved makes it look as if the U.S. version will not support 3G, which is a deal-killer for me. (What I'm really hoping is that the "Tilt 2" that was on the purported AT&T roadmap that was leaked a month or so ago is actually the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1. If so, I'll be a happy camper, even without the 5MP camera and video output.)

[efjay]

I'm not sure why the Omnia has suddenly skyrocketed in price from a few weeks ago, I got mine from Singapore and it cost me just over $800, which is the normal going rate for an unsubsidised PPC. Seems its just retailers trying to cash in on its current popularity.

Edit: forgot to add I have an Omnia and find it to be the best WM device I have used. My previous 6.1 experience was with a cooked form on my Orbit so that may not have been the best yardstick but this phone is really stable so far and ironically (or not) I find the only problem is when I use Opera to browse, it sometimes gets stuck on a particular webisite and often doesnt respond to screen taps reliably. So I find myself using PIE with SPB's enhancements and with the processor speed it isnt as bad as on my previous phones, even over T-Mobile's EDGE.

A2DP is solid and the BT range is very good. Wifi is stable and fast. Calls are clear and I havent seen the usual lag when handling calls. GPS works well with a fix in seconds after using the A-GPS function to update the GPS data. Only real issue I have is with EDGE sometimes not connecting or disconnecting properly which then stops calls being made or received, which I hope can be addressed in a firmware upgrade.

Overall I am happy with the device, even without 3G.

[RayanMX]

However, let's not forget that Expansys.com is not exactly the cheapest online reseller.

I really hope an 850 HSDPA version comes out soon... :rolleyes:

[SHC]

In the UK the price difference between sites is as much as £70 or $140. Clove has it at £468 and Expansys £540 for the 8GB version. There is some speculation that the 16GB version is not coming to the UK. The release date does appear consistent though at 18th August.

[Damion Chaplin]

It looks like a very nice unit. However, after examining the specs, two glaring flaws appear:

1) No 3G for the U.S. (as yet, who knows what the future holds?)
2) The screen resolution is still below what the iPhone has. That means it won't give me that sweeeeet mobile internet experience I had when using an iPhone.

One of the best WM phones on the market? Definitely.
An iPhone-killer? Definitely not.

Still eyeing that Touch Pro...

[Hx4700]

Yes , I went and got it (came Wed.) to replace my HP Hw6900. The Hx6900 was suppose to replace my Hx4700 and phone. It didn't - too small screen, slower processor, etc. No 3G on phone.
- The Omnia did fix most of this. Screen is wqvga - my screen test for me is that I can now read Excel spreadsheets at 50% again - only good at 75% with the 6900. - The processor is back to 624mhz. And the internal 16g memory looks useful. Internal slot for replaceable microSD card is strange.
- As far as the cost, Ebay using MS Live search gives back 20% = $800 cost.
- As far as missing 850 HSDPA (I have AT&T service) - Can someone please explain what I will miss without 850 HSDPA. - Thanks.
- I did find some of my WM-5 programs don't work with WM-6.1 and the PXA312 processor - MS Voice Command and Pocket HackMaster so far. Also eReader v3.03, so fell back to v2.64 (ok). Maybe a bad (new/recent) download of 3.03 is problem. Also having problems with pairing BT headphones -so what's new there.
- Did load my main use programs - Sprite Backup / SPB Finance / Pocket TV Listings / Intellisync / TomTom (no road test yet) / a SuDoKu game. Did not need Beta Player yet as the included player played a video test file OK. Good mix of programs looks pretty good so far. But still have a bunch to go to load.
Conclusion - so far I love it and I think I did take a step up from th Hw6900. Is it a Hx4700 with a phone? Not quite, but close.
Ron...
PS- the picture at first of this thread shows unit as all black - mine has a Silver border all around the front - looks much classier.