Digital Trends

Samsung Omnia (SCH-i910) December 31st, 2008 | by Damon Brown

Testing Cont’d

The Samsung Omnia uses Windows Media 6.1, so Microsoft Outlook and other products are built in. They are on par with similar devices. Microsoft ActiveSync – a quick installation – will match your calendar, email and so on.

Less smooth is the “keyboard,” which actually uses an archaic multikey format. For example, going on the Internet to visit Yahoo! required tapping the virtual “w” key, then tapping on a series of likely letter combinations to find “ww,” again to find “www.,” and then starting the process over again to spell yahoo and the final com. It doesn’t help that the web seems to creep along – even on uber-popular sites like Yahoo! – unless you are in Wi-Fi range.

The multimedia visuals and speakers look and sound great – no weak screen and speakers here. Less impressive is the synchronization. To play your multimedia, you must find the search for files option under the menu and wait for the phone to find your goodies. It is a small detail, but the additional step makes absolutely no sense. Why not make it automatic, since there is no logical reason why someone would download multimedia from their computer onto the phone unless it was going to be used?

The 5.0-megapixel camera is as lush as it sounds. Though packed with icons, the camera setup is smooth and intuitive – you can go as deep as you like. Held horizontally, the options line either side of the screen while the middle gives a view of the action. Tap the touchpad and it takes a quick flick which can be trashed, emailed as an attachment or just saved. The only thing missing is a flash, but in most cases it seemed unnecessary.

Image Courtesy of Samsung

Conclusion

The Samsung Omnia would have been considered a fine, and perhaps even innovative phone circa 2006, but now even non-techie users expect more than a lackluster touchscreen or a non-intuitive menu setup. It would be different if the Omnia were significantly cheaper, but it’s not – and smartphone buyers have way better options for the same price or less. 


Pros:

• Hi-res screen
• Lightweight smartphone
• Much multimedia

Cons:

• Clunky touchscreen
• Awkward keyboard
• Slow Internet if not using Wi-Fi