Samsung i900 Omnia

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Samsung i900 Omnia Dimensions (w/h/d): 57 x 112 x 13 Weight: 122g Talk Time: 6 hours Stand By: 500 hours Camera: Camera Resolution: 5.0MP Handset Type: Standard Coverage (Band): Quad Video: Bluetooth: Mp3 Player: Mp3 Ringtones: MMS: Java Games: Radio: GPRS: Email: Internet Browsing: 3G: Flash Memory: WiFi:

Dimensions (w/h/d): Weight: Talk Time: Stand By: Camera: Camera Resolution: Phone Type: Coverage (Band): Video: Bluetooth: Mp3 Player: Mp3 Ringtones: MMS: Java Games: Radio: GPRS: Email: Internet Browsing: 3G: Flash Memory: WiFi:

Dimensions (w/h/d): Weight: Talk Time: Stand By: Camera: Camera Resolution: Phone Type: Coverage (Band): Video: Bluetooth: Mp3 Player: Mp3 Ringtones: MMS: Java Games: Radio: GPRS: Email: Internet Browsing: 3G: Flash Memory: WiFi:

Our Review of the Samsung i900 Omnia

Samsung snuck this sneaky looking iClone out just in time for the announcement of the brand new iPhone 3G back in June 2008. Like the iPhone 3G, the Omnia boasts a large touchscreen display, GPS features, a solid music player and up to 16GB of storage…

Samsung snuck this sneaky looking iClone out of their Seoul HQ in just in time for the announcement of the brand new iPhone 3G back in June 2008. Like the iPhone 3G, the Omnia boasts a large touchscreen display (3.2"), fully integrated GPS tracking features, and comes with 8GB worth of storage, which, unlike the iPhone 3G can be whacked up to a total of 16GB thanks to good old microSD. The big bad touchscreen, whilst looking every inch the iPhone wannabe actually boasts a UI that is markedly different. The Omnia's touchscreen has been primed for optimum thumb rather than finger action. Samsung have designed the Omnia with a view to it being held and operated in and by one hand. It is different to the iPhone interface in that it does lend itself better to being used in one hand.

You'll want to use the stylus provided for some of the features (email in particular), which works well, although bizarrely, Samsung haven't seen fit to include a stylus slot on the casing of the Omnia. Touch feedback features on the display, confirming actions, although unfortunately, the haptic feedback often kicks in every time you touch the screen, which doesn't always mean your clicks or key presses were actually accepted, which can get annoying.

The screen features a full virtual QWERTY keyboard for composing texts and emails, plus it also supports handwriting recognition. The only real downer of the big screen interface is that it doesn't perform brilliantly in direct sunlight – perhaps Samsung's one-handed approach to the UI of the Omnia was to free up the other hand so that it could block the glare of the sun.

You can manage your contacts by using either Samsung's own phonebook software, or by using Windows Mobile, considered to be the best mobile app for managing phone and email contacts. You get an unlimited contact list, unlimited info fields for each contact, and a range of sync options. The Samsung Omnia also comes with the distinction of being the first ever 5 Megapixel Windows Mobile cameraphone.

You can manage your contacts by using either Samsung's own phonebook software, or by using Windows Mobile, considered to be the best mobile app for managing phone and email contacts.

The Omnia comes with a 5 Megapixel digital camera, mounted in the top left corner of the back of the phone. The camera features a number of imaging features such as a stabiliser which counteracts small movements made when taking a picture or recording, making for effortlessly smooth pictures and video footage. Autofocus allows for clear and precise shots every time, and the built in flash allows for pictures to be taken in practically any location. A second camera situated in the front of the Omnia allows for video calls to be made where 3G connections are available.

Speaking of available connections, the Quad-Band Omnia comes with HSDPA support for downloads at speeds of up to 7.2Mbps. You can also connect to the internet at super-fast speeds by hooking up to a local WLAN or Wi-Fi hotspot. You can connect to other devices using either a USB cable a wireless connection using a Bluetooth, which allows supports A2DP, allowing for wireless stereo headset joy.

The Omnia supports an impressive roster of audio and video file formats. As well as the traditional MP3, AAC/AAC+ and WMA, the Omnia is also capable of playing the less common OGG, and AMR files. The FM radio comes with RDS, allowing you to view detailed station information on the touchscreen. The video player supports clips in the MP4, WMV, XviD and DivX video formats.

The Samsung Omnia also features a built-in GPS receiver, meaning you can find you way round using the on-board Google Maps or any other mapplication you care to download. The Omnia functions admirably as a sat-nav and supports A-GPS (GPS optimised for mobile phones) meaning you can download satellite data via Wi-Fi, or available 2G and 3G networks – plan out your journey in advance from a Wi-Fi point before setting out.

Finally, Samsung have seen fit to bless their powerful new touchscreen smartphone with a decent battery, which can provide just under 6 hours of talk time (5 hours 50 mins) and 500 hours of standby time.

 Pros

Thumb-centric touchscreen UI.
Built-in GPS receiver.
5 Megapixel camera.
Wi-Fi support.

 Cons

No storage slot for the stylus.

Our Rating

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Samsung's i900 Omnia is a decent touchscreen alternative to the iPhone 3G, coming loaded with a solid GPS sat nav system, a powerful 5 Megapixel camera, fast browser, Wi-Fi support, and a great music player.

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