Compare Samsung Omnia over iPhone 3G, Xperia X1, and HTC Diamond ~ Cell Phone Reviews

Compare Samsung Omnia over iPhone 3G, Xperia X1, and HTC Diamond

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Written on 8/29/2008 06:03:00 PM by poison_ivy

I know that I’ve sworn off touch screen phones because I’m saving myself for the Xperia X1, however, the lure of the Omnia is just too great for me to pass up.

What sold it to me: Comparison between touch screen phones

Samsung Omnia over Diamond

If someone was in the market for touchscreen windows mobile phones, it would probably be a toss up between the HTC Touch Diamond or the Samsung SGH-i900 Omnia, however, I was already turned off by the Touch Diamond’s prototype that I’ve seen plus I’m so over 2.8 inch screens. My HTC P3600i has a 2.8 inch screen so I was ready to move up. Also, the Samsung Omnia has a faster processor, 624MHz marvell PXA312, compared with the HTC Touch Diamond’s Qualcomm MSM7201A 528 Mhz processor. The Samsung SGH-i900 Omnia also has a bigger internal memory, choice of 8GB or 16GB, compared with only 4GB of the Diamond. The 5 megapixel camera is also a no brainer. Every reviews on the internet raves about how good the camera on the Samsung Omnia is so the fact that HTC’s camera is just plain crappy considered together with the fact that I’m in the market for camera phones, just tipped the scales in favor of the Omnia.

Samsung SGH-i900 Omnia over the iPhone 3G

I’ve always raved about the iPhone’s user interface in fact I’ve already made it the benchmark user interface in which all touchscreen phones must follow. I admit, I didn’t get the 2G iPhone because it doesn’t have 3G so when Apple announced that the iPhone 3G now has, well, 3G, plus GPS, I was tempted to get one but I’m a power user and a though I hate to admit it, stuck as a Windows Mobile fan. Though the lure of the 3G iPhone is also great, the fact that it also has a crappy 2 megapixel camera turned me off. Also, the fact that there are still few iPhone applications out there and the fact that iPhone doesn’t seem to be suited for multi-tasking made me think twice. For the Samsung Omnia, there are already loads of freeware for the Windows Mobile platform plus literally thousands of third party applications you can choose from. Of course, compatibility with Windows Mobile 6.1 may make some applications unusable.

Samsung Omnia over Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

The only hurdle in my way before I took out my credit card to buy the Samsung Omnia was the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1. I already know that this phone will be set for release in October and it’s only a few more weeks before the wait is over but then, I did a once over of the Xperia X1’s features. The Samsung SGH-i900 Omnia still has a faster processor over Xperia X1’s which sports the same processor as the HTC Touch Diamond. Though admittedly, the Xperia X1 has a higher RAM at 256MB compared with the Omnia’s 128MB, I doubt that it would make much difference since the Omnia’s faster processor balances the X1’s higher memory. The keyboard on the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 is one thing that I was looking forward to but then I thought, there are a variety of Bluetooth keyboards for windows mobile devices which I could use if ever I need to do some heavy office work or blog typing. I think the what really nails it for me is the Samsung Omnia’s 5 megapixel camera. The Xperia X1 only has 3.2 megapixel and though it has autofocus, it lacks face detection, smile detection and auto stabilization.

Another Samsung Omnia sold

So after due consideration and some nights without sleep, I finally made up my mind and settled for the Omnia. Sure, another great new device might come along within a few months time but right now, I’m glad I’ve settled for the Omnia. A detailed review will follow.

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13 Comments

  1. Anonymous |

    Hello there. Only one problem with your "I think the what really nails it for me is the Samsung Omnia’s 5 megapixel camera" deduction whih is that the X1 has incredible photo quality well above what you might expect for a standard 3.1 MP camera.

     
  2. poison_ivy |

    It's still a 3.1 MP camera compared with a 5 megapixel so resolution wise, you can't really compare. Plus, I don't think the X1 has face detection, smile detection, antishake, OCR to read business cards, or settings which includes optimized camera settings to take shots of text documents.

    Also, you can check the X1's photo quality by clicking on the link to Bengal Boy's review here: http://www.cellphone-reviews.co.uk/2008/10/sony-ericsson-xperia-x1-review.html

    The X1's photo quality on low light condition is--well, crappy. No offense. I do like the X1 but unless Sony was able to put in their Cybershot camera technology on this phone, it's still the same crappy camera that HTC has been putting on their HTC devices and after using 5 HTC device during the past 5 years, I've given up hope on their camera technology.

     
  3. Anonymous |

    I bought Samsung Omnia last week after a thorough review check... Omnia is really great.
    I feel its a value for money compared to the over priced IPhone...
    The OMNIA is better than the iPhone in so many ways: I know some may say it isn’t fair to compare the iPhone with more powerful smartphones, but here is a random order list in which the Samsung OMNIA looks to be a more capable product that you may want to consider (even without US 3G support):

    Ability to rotate in three directions in all applications
    Ability to connect to A2DP headphones or a Bluetooth keyboard
    Ability to tether the device to a PC with a wired or wireless connection
    5 megapixel camera that captures video and has image stabilization with flash
    Download and store podcasts wirelessly
    Access the file system and connect as a flash drive or via Bluetooth to a PC
    FM radio with RDS support
    Office Mobile support (creation and editing)
    Cut, copy, and paste
    Handwriting recognition
    3rd party navigation and turn-by-turn direction support
    Advanced 3rd party support (SlingPlayer, photo/video editing, etc.)
    Advanced Exchange/Outlook synchronization capability
    Haptic feedback
    Removable battery
    Removable storage card

     
  4. Anonymous |

    Hi poison_ivy, how is ur feeling about omnia you bought so far? I still struggling between Xperia and Omnia... Wonder if you regret to buy Omnia or you are feeling happy now?

     
  5. poison_ivy |

    No regrets buying the Omnia. In fact, I was even thinking about retaining it even if I upgrade to a new phone. I usually sell my old mobile phone whenever I'm upgrading but I don't think I will be doing that with the Omnia. I was thinking of switching over to the Xperia but the not so finger friendly interface, lack of accelerometer and poor camera quality turned me off.

    The touch pro is nice too but like I said, I'm over the 2.8 inch screen plus form factor wise, it's just bulky.

    Of course, you have to take into consideration what's important to you. If you are into texting and emailing on your phone and a physical keyboard is important then better go with the X1 or Touch Pro though I would lean much more to the X1 because of its sexiness.

    I don't think I'll ever regret buying the Omnia. Buying it has been my best decision so far.

     
  6. Anonymous |

    The Samsung Omnia is the fastest and easiest to use touch screen smart phone that I have ever used, even better than the iPhone 3G. The Omnia is a definite buy.

     
  7. Anonymous |

    Hi all! I'm torn between buying an omnia or an iphone. All the people in my office commented that iphone is the best but after reading so many positive remarks about omnia, I'm really not sure. I just need a touchscreen phone thus can someone advise me and tell me what's so good about iphone and omnia? Million thanks.

     
  8. poison_ivy |

    Again, it all boils down to what you REALLY want in a phone. Most people will rave about the iPhone's user interface because until now, no mobile phone manufacturer has came close to beating the iPhone's fluid touchscreen. The iPhone OS 3.0 and new third party applications being added everyday has rendered my argument for the Omnia over the iPhone moot (multi-tasking and third party applications) but the Omnia still offers much better camera and is at par with its music playing capabilities. Both devices are really good choices, some people who already have the iPhone have preferred the Omnia but there are still those who are not convinced. I don't want to recommend one over the other especially to a user who never had experience with windows mobile. So you might want to just look at the features but if it's user-friendliness and smooth interface you're looking for, then it's the iPhone. Otherwise, if you want a feature-packed phone, the Omnia delivers.

     
  9. Anonymous |

    please buy omnia..rather than iphone...mayb iphone looks kinda cool...believe me...omnia is better than iphone...

    why??

    because i've tried iphone before...

    n now i'm using omnia...

    it feels great n it has 5 MP camera !!

     
  10. Anonymous |

    iPhone 3G is too expensive to buy, HTC Diamond was not good enought. I'd prefer to get an Xperia X1. Still wait for the price down

    http://www.testfreaks.com/blog/review/sony-ericsson-xperia-x1/#comment-33968

     
  11. SwandyASamad |

    I've done alot of reading about these devices as I'm looking to get one as well. Basically the Xperia kicks the Omnia's ass in all areas, except the following

    Omnia is better looking, Better made, more stylish. Flush screen = no dust/dirt building up there (unlike Xperia).

    The Xperia also has no accellerometer.

    Omnia has a huge 16GB storage space and room for expansion

    Omnia has superior camera

    I used to be worried about 256 vs 65k colour, the difference isn't important (or noticeable) and is the price you pay for higher resolution.

    Correcting a past post by someone about processor speeds,
    Actually the Xperia has the faster processer (significantly faster as well), it's comparable to performance of the HTC Touch devices (which also beat omnia by a fair margin)

    Off the top of my head, here's the things that are stopping me from getting the i900 right now..

    Crap screen, Awkward stylus storage (which equates to having NO stylus for me, as I would not carry it like that)

    Those are the main things, but there are other annoyances like,
    Crap processor, Non standard USB...

     
  12. Anonymous |

    I've had an Omnia i910 for about a year and I've been disappointed. The touch screen is slow. Often when I'm scrolling it thinks I'm selecting. I've turned off the motion sensor because sometimes it rotates and then won't go back.

    I can't imagine that anyone would prefer and Omnia to an iPhone. The ones I've tried are so much more responsive! You touch something and it reacts appropriately. I can't say that about the Omnia.

    I'm hoping that Omnia II or the new Droid are better. I'd buy an iPhone, but I'm on Verizon and can't get off because I'm on a family plan.

     
  13. mobile phones |

    I can say what all comparison you have made is very good difference between two mobile will sort out which one is better and we can get out some difference between both mobiles

     

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