Analyzed: Samsung Omnia W

A lot of the phones we have been reviewing lately just happen to be Android based (for good reason since a majority of the smartphones out there are Android phones). Not to mention they happen to be among the top of the line models. But this time we took a close look at the Samsung Omnia W. Right off the bat let's set the right expectations: It is not a top of the line phone, it is not as expensive and it is not loaded with the top of the line hardware. Now that we got that out of the way, let's take a look at the mid priced Samsung Omnia W.

From a technical perspective, the Omnia comes with a single core 1.4GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB storage, a 3.7" screen at a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, 5MP rear camera, 0.3 MP front facing camera and weighs in at a mere 115g. It is a very very light phone. And it is also a very thin phone and you could confuse it for your wallet in your pocket. The Omnia W comes with Windows Mobile Version 7.5 (Mango) and just like the Nokia Lumia 800 it is silky smooth to operate. You get all the features associated with Windows Mobile phones like Microsoft Office Suite, XBox Live and the Windows Phone marketplace.

We are fans of the Metro UI that Mango offers. In the usability aspect the Omnia W scores high points. But try and push the processor to the limit by multi-tasking or playing processor intensive games and you can notice the phone response taking a little longer than usual. Not to the point where you can't use it anymore but it is definitely noticeable (but this doesn't affect how smooth the phone is when it comes to scrolling and looking for your apps - something that occurs on Android phones when the processor is being hammered). This is due to the single core processor and the 512MB RAM. For regular use (web browsing, watching videos, listening music, email, social networking etc.) the specs are definitely more than adequate. The display is also very crisp and the resolution offered is perfect for the screen size. Colors are also very vibrant. The camera could use a little work but for the price we can't really complain. Even at the maximum resolution the photos still looked a little hazy. Still, we can live with it.

Not everyone can afford to drop a large wad of cash (or credit) on the latest and greatest out in the market. For those looking for a quality product without breaking the bank much, this phone is a good buy. Based on what we have seen, we'll go as far to say it is a steal for what you get!

The Samsung Omnia W is currently on sale in India for Rs. 15,500 (~$310).