Apple iPhone3g vs. Samsung Omnia

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Sackboy

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I'm trying to persuade someone to buy one of these phones. When I look at one, the features are great and then I look at the other, that one looks better and I can't settle on which to recommend to a PC novice.

It's been a while since either were released. Enough time to sit down with it and see the hidden features or flaws.

Which one is best and why?
 
I really wanted the answer to this exact same question..

All the answers I've received comes down to the following:

What do you actually need with a cellphone?

I've had to decide between the phones this weekend and also did not find any deciding factor.

Reasons I decided to get the iPhone are the following:

People at vodashop all informed me about the great email/internet speed and GPS are the major factors why they would recommend the omnia

but I've got a 4mb line at work with internet access - No need to use my phone for internet

Outlook open on my laptop during work everyday from nine to five - no need for great email function

Got a Garmin GPS - no need for GPS function but I thing the iphone has one 2?

I decided on the phone based on the multiple apps to download and enjoy myself with, you need to ask the friend what exactly he wants in a phone?
 
I've had a few things explained to me. I've also played with an iPhone3G, but not the Omnia because they don't want to open the box (Grrr..).

There's no substitute to actually handling the blerry thing! Some facts I've managed to compile (feel free to comment/critique):

iPhone3G
1. iPhone has a sealed battery like the iPod.
2. iPhone battery life is short and you can't carry a spare.
3. iPhone GPS has no SA maps and no turn-by-turn guidance.
4. iPhone doesn't have a great camera - only 2MP.
5. iPhone doesn't take video clips.
6. iPhone doesn't do MMS, only SMS.
7. iPhone can't forward an SMS (?!?).
8. iPhone runs Apple OS.
9. iPhone has larger user base and support.
10. iPhone has more firware updates coming through.
11. iPhone memory is not upgradeable. You're stuck with 8G or 16G.
12. iPhone has touch screen only.
13. iPhone has more options and accessories for music, battery, car etc.
14. IPhone software is expensive to buy.
15. iPhone encourages owner to buy from the iStore.

OMNIA
1. Omnia screen is smaller.
2. Omnia screen is lower resolution.
3. Omnia runs Windows, which is less stable.
4. Omnia less memory on the base unit 8G, but expandable via MicroSD card.
5. Omnia uses touch screen as well as a stylus.
6. Omnia battery is replaceable and you can carry spares.
7. Omnia battery life is much the same as iPhone.
8. Omnia can be repaired quicker and cheaply.
9. Omnia has smaller user base.
10. Omnia more likely to be replaced by something else than supported in future.
11. Omnia GPS has GARMIN maps for life. (Turn by turn?)
12. Omnia has 5MP camera.
13. Omnia can take video clips.
14. Omnia handles various types of media well.
15. Omnia has more Office software readers available.
16. Omnia has more free software.
 
Last edited:
Sackboy said:
iPhone3G
1. iPhone has a sealed battery like the iPod. True
2. iPhone battery life is short and you can't carry a spare. No spare but there are cases that double as external batteries . . and battery life isnt short
3. iPhone GPS has no SA maps and no turn-by-turn guidance. Not yet
4. iPhone doesn't have a great camera - only 2MP. No phone does
5. iPhone doesn't take video clips. I'm not sure there isnt an application for this
6. iPhone doesn't do MMS, only SMS. Will do mms with a (free?) application
7. iPhone can't forward an SMS (?!?). The iphone seems to be a bit weak on the sms front
8. iPhone runs Apple OS. Correct.
9. iPhone has larger user base and support. Correct
10. iPhone has more firware updates coming through. Undoubtedly
11. iPhone memory is not upgradeable. You're stuck with 8G or 16G. Correct
12. iPhone has touch screen only. Correct
13. iPhone has more options and accessories for music, battery, car etc. More? Dunno but there a alot
14. IPhone software is expensive to buy. False - the majority of the stuff I've downloaded has either been free or $0.99.
15. iPhone encourages owner to buy from the iStore. True - makes things very convenient . . . almost too convenient. :o
Click to expand...
Sorry but I can only help with the iPhone related qns . . . well most of them
 
The main problem with the iPhone is that it is VERY overpriced for what you get. One could get past its shortcomings if the price was reasonable. You're better off getting a 2nd hand ipod touch on gumtree for R1500. Thats what I did. The only thing it doesnt do that the iphone does is make calls since I use my nokia as a wireless modem for the ipod. No phone can beat the iPhone as a ipod but that is where it ends...
 
Woops since we're being completely honest the iPhone safari browser (same as ipod touch) is also TOPS but very bandwidth intensive. The Omnia's Opera 9.5 is a great alternative and you can use Opera Mini to save on bandwidth.
 
My take on the iPhone - I have played with the Omnia but I don't like it at all - greatest drawback is the Windows Mobile OS.

iPhone3G
1. iPhone has a sealed battery like the iPod.
(YES, SO?)
2. iPhone battery life is short and you can't carry a spare.
(Never had a problem with the battery - if you going to be without power for 3 days, you will have a problem)
3. iPhone GPS has no SA maps and no turn-by-turn guidance.
(As Bwana said - not yet but I find a Garmin much better than any phone loaded GPS anyway)
4. iPhone doesn't have a great camera - only 2MP.
(You'll be surprised at the picture quality of the iPhones 'crappy' camera - puts a Nokia N72 to shame - granted must have enough light - but no phone can beat a 'proper' camera)
5. iPhone doesn't take video clips.
(Have Cycorder loaded - does great video clips)
6. iPhone doesn't do MMS, only SMS.
(Have SwirlyMMS loaded - does MMS fine (video, pics, text, audio)
7. iPhone can't forward an SMS (?!?).
(have irealSMS loaded - does everything including templates, forwarding etc)
8. iPhone runs Apple OS.
(Brilliant - I have not seen any touchscreen -Windows or Symbian - that can beat the Apple OS touch support)
9. iPhone has larger user base and support.
10. iPhone has more firware updates coming through.
11. iPhone memory is not upgradeable. You're stuck with 8G or 16G.
(Never had space problems but then I don't use music that much)
12. iPhone has touch screen only.
(Works much better than a stylus - remember, Windows mobile was developed for a stylus and then later adapted for use with a finger - just does not work that well. iPhone OS was developed from the ground up for use with a finger and no stylus is ever necessary)
13. iPhone has more options and accessories for music, battery, car etc.
14. IPhone software is expensive to buy.(Millions of 'free' apps available - just need to know where to look)
15. iPhone encourages owner to buy from the iStore.
(Great concept - but can also get apps elsewhere..)
 
OMNIA
1. Omnia screen is smaller.
2. Omnia screen is lower resolution. ( have you seen the two screens next to each other playing the same video, i struggle to call the iphone clearer)
3. Omnia runs Windows, which is less stable. ( if you want to use cooked roms its great :) mine is currently using the HTC software.)
4. Omnia less memory on the base unit 8G, but expandable via MicroSD card. ( comes standard with 16GB with the 8 extra being a memory card.)
5. Omnia uses touch screen as well as a stylus. (yup)
6. Omnia battery is replaceable and you can carry spares. (if you need)
7. Omnia battery life is much the same as iPhone.
8. Omnia can be repaired quicker and cheaply.
9. Omnia has smaller user base. ( might be smaller but its not small, omnias sold like hot cakes :) )
10. Omnia more likely to be replaced by something else than supported in future. ( i think the i910 or something is coming out later this year... which will be 1 better)
11. Omnia GPS has GARMIN maps for life. (Turn by turn?) ( yup its turn by turn, its the garmin software, so works identical to a Garmin in the car)
12. Omnia has 5MP camera.
13. Omnia can take video clips. ( in slow motion if you want aswell :P )
14. Omnia handles various types of media well. ( except for .mkv files :P)
15. Omnia has more Office software readers available.
16. Omnia has more free software.[/QUOTE]

my view is depends on your needs hey... i got the omnia as i felt, somethings it can't do aswell as the iphone, but it can do everything the iphone can, and more and do most things better :)
 
Sensorei said:
The main problem with the iPhone is that it is VERY overpriced for what you get. One could get past its shortcomings if the price was reasonable. You're better off getting a 2nd hand ipod touch on gumtree for R1500. Thats what I did. The only thing it doesnt do that the iphone does is make calls since I use my nokia as a wireless modem for the ipod. No phone can beat the iPhone as a ipod but that is where it ends...
Click to expand...
I've got a feeling he's looking for a phone.
 
iphone is more user friendly practically idiot proof compared too omnia changing simple stuff on omnia is such a mission
 
I have a simple way of deciding from the 2...
After Ive used the iPhone touch screen, I dont want to use any other touch screen phone on the market, regardless of features and OSs!!

So until SE and HTC adopt the iPhones touch sensitiveness(I forgot the term used for the type of screen it uses) theres no point in using them!!
 
4cer said:
OMNIA
1. Omnia screen is smaller.
2. Omnia screen is lower resolution. ( have you seen the two screens next to each other playing the same video, i struggle to call the iphone clearer)
3. Omnia runs Windows, which is less stable. ( if you want to use cooked roms its great :) mine is currently using the HTC software.)
4. Omnia less memory on the base unit 8G, but expandable via MicroSD card. ( comes standard with 16GB with the 8 extra being a memory card.)
5. Omnia uses touch screen as well as a stylus. (yup)
6. Omnia battery is replaceable and you can carry spares. (if you need)
7. Omnia battery life is much the same as iPhone.
8. Omnia can be repaired quicker and cheaply.
9. Omnia has smaller user base. ( might be smaller but its not small, omnias sold like hot cakes :) )
10. Omnia more likely to be replaced by something else than supported in future. ( i think the i910 or something is coming out later this year... which will be 1 better)
11. Omnia GPS has GARMIN maps for life. (Turn by turn?) ( yup its turn by turn, its the garmin software, so works identical to a Garmin in the car)
12. Omnia has 5MP camera.
13. Omnia can take video clips. ( in slow motion if you want aswell :P )
14. Omnia handles various types of media well. ( except for .mkv files :P)
15. Omnia has more Office software readers available.
16. Omnia has more free software.
Click to expand...

my view is depends on your needs hey... i got the omnia as i felt, somethings it can't do aswell as the iphone, but it can do everything the iphone can, and more and do most things better :)[/QUOTE]
I don't know what these cooked roms are, but I've heard that you can also simulate (or is it use) an Apple style interface.

All good stuff from everyone. Thks.:)
 
Sackboy said:
my view is depends on your needs hey... i got the omnia as i felt, somethings it can't do aswell as the iphone, but it can do everything the iphone can, and more and do most things better :)
Click to expand...
I don't know what these cooked roms are, but I've heard that you can also simulate (or is it use) an Apple style interface.

All good stuff from everyone. Thks.:)[/QUOTE]

Why simulate something when you could have gotten the real deal.. wannabe :)
 
I had the same dilemma until I finally played with the omnia,the iPhone is an absoloute machine compared to the omnia.Texting on the omnia is a pain to say the least iPhone texting is much more accurate and faster.My money is on the iPhone getting it on my next upgrade.Try the omnia before you get it.The whole iPhone experience is completely different.
 
What I've learned with phones is that whichever way you go, you're always gonna regret it.
 
Sackboy said:
Which one do you regret?
Click to expand...

None in particular. I just find it extremely difficult to make any choices, and when I choose between something, I always regret that choice, nomatter if I chose one or the other.
 
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