Don't Buy an Omnia !!!

[Guest jjordan]

I bought my Omni in Italy about 6 months ago and have been battleing with it all that time.

1.) The screen is so soft that even a plastic stylus scratches it. Attaching the included stylus like object will completely destroy it.

2.) The included stylus like object is ridiculous.

3.) The camera closes whenever you turn off the phone making it a three step process to take a picture and impossible to catch any changing event.

4.) The connection for charging the phone is propritary and so picky that the only thing that will charge it is the included adapter so you have to carry it around every where you go.

5.) The data connection is propritary so you have carry another cable everywhere you go and this cable will NOT charge the phone.

6.) Whenever you try to use the scroll bar the phone switches to some whacky zoom mode that it is almost impossible to get out of. 

7.) The included navigation software, Route 66, is horrible, no search function, cannot even put in an address.  Route 66 refuses to provide updates in .CAB format, I have asked, no begged, and just got rude replies that said I should use Windows which is funny because Route 66 started off as Mac software.

8.) Turning on Bluetooth destroys battery life.

9.) The reset hole is so tiny that it is difficult to find an object that will fit in it when you desperately need to reset it, several times each day.

10.) The Power connector is on the side making cradles and auto mounts pretty useless.

11.) Headphone jack or actually lack thereof.

A Couple of good things:

1.) The LED on the power switch is nice and dim so I can keep the Omnia near my bed and still actually sleep.  

2.) The form factor is good but it it would have been nice if it were closer to the iPhone deminsions so we could use some of those great accesories.

Hope the next Android phone has a decent form factor so I can finally get out from under Microsofts insanity.

-j

[Guest not_sure]

Never had an ommni, so wouldnt comment on all you said but would agree with you on some points.

I just dont get why they dont use a standard mini usb port for charging and data. For that reason alone I wouldnt touch this phone.

Some of your other issuses might be cured with a rom update.

Mind you there are alot of people on here who would swear by this phone.

[Guest nossy_89]

I bought my Omni in Italy about 6 months ago and have been battleing with it all that time.

1.) The screen is so soft that even a plastic stylus scratches it. Attaching the included stylus like object will completely destroy it.

2.) The included stylus like object is ridiculous.

3.) The camera closes whenever you turn off the phone making it a three step process to take a picture and impossible to catch any changing event.

4.) The connection for charging the phone is propritary and so picky that the only thing that will charge it is the included adapter so you have to carry it around every where you go.

5.) The data connection is propritary so you have carry another cable everywhere you go and this cable will NOT charge the phone.

6.) Whenever you try to use the scroll bar the phone switches to some whacky zoom mode that it is almost impossible to get out of.

7.) The included navigation software, Route 66, is horrible, no search function, cannot even put in an address. Route 66 refuses to provide updates in .CAB format, I have asked, no begged, and just got rude replies that said I should use Windows which is funny because Route 66 started off as Mac software.

8.) Turning on Bluetooth destroys battery life.

9.) The reset hole is so tiny that it is difficult to find an object that will fit in it when you desperately need to reset it, several times each day.

10.) The Power connector is on the side making cradles and auto mounts pretty useless.

11.) Headphone jack or actually lack thereof.

A Couple of good things:

1.) The LED on the power switch is nice and dim so I can keep the Omnia near my bed and still actually sleep.

2.) The form factor is good but it it would have been nice if it were closer to the iPhone deminsions so we could use some of those great accesories.

Hope the next Android phone has a decent form factor so I can finally get out from under Microsofts insanity.

-j

What are you on mate have you really got an omnia or is it some fake version

1.) The screen is touch friendly no need for stylus

2.) How did you work that 1 out

3.) Why would you leave the camera on when the phone is off, the camera is quite fast when taking pictures

4.) You can charge it with the data cable or the charger

5.) It does charge the phone on xp you have to have active sync and on vista there is device centre

6.) Not is doesn't depends on where you are scrolling and the web browser

7.) Didn't get that software with the phone but have you tried Garmin or Tom Tom

8.) The bluetooth does drain the battery life but if you put the phone in standby mode then it lasts longer

9.) The stylus fits and any other pen

10.) It’s good on the side because if it was on the bottom then you would have to leave space when it’s in the car cradle

11.) You get the adapter with it have, have you forgotten the days of the Nokia 6230i when you had to use the nokia ones and most of the time they didn't give you it

A Couple of good things:

1.) It only comes on when you put it in charge

2.) It’s like saying that the N95 isn't like the omnia and you want to use those accessories

[Guest o2_guy]

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? OMG

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

OMNIA = B)

[Guest meabigbaldguy]

To accuse Samsung of being "proprietary" is ridiculous, if you don't also consider that the iphone, or Apple in general, is extremely proprietary. Sounds to me like you've bought either a branded phone, or if not, then one with a really crappy bundle of software. A ROM update would have solved most of your problems, and a GPS software change would have eliminated the Route 66 problem as well.

You're preaching to the wrong, choir!

[Guest jjordan]

What are you on mate have you really got an omnia or is it some fake version

1.) The screen is touch friendly no need for stylus

2.) How did you work that 1 out

3.) Why would you leave the camera on when the phone is off, the camera is quite fast when taking pictures

4.) You can charge it with the data cable or the charger

5.) It does charge the phone on xp you have to have active sync and on vista there is device centre

6.) Not is doesn't depends on where you are scrolling and the web browser

7.) Didn't get that software with the phone but have you tried Garmin or Tom Tom

8.) The bluetooth does drain the battery life but if you put the phone in standby mode then it lasts longer

9.) The stylus fits and any other pen

10.) It’s good on the side because if it was on the bottom then you would have to leave space when it’s in the car cradle

11.) You get the adapter with it have, have you forgotten the days of the Nokia 6230i when you had to use the nokia ones and most of the time they didn't give you it

A Couple of good things:

1.) It only comes on when you put it in charge

2.) It’s like saying that the N95 isn't like the omnia and you want to use those accessories

[/quote

Sorry, you cannot charge it with the data cable.  Perhaps you are correct that if you are willing to install Windows and Activesync it will work but I will never know that and you cannot plug it into a universal USB power adapter.

[Guest ungcas]

I bought my Omni in Italy about 6 months ago and have been battleing with it all that time.

1.) The screen is so soft that even a plastic stylus scratches it. Attaching the included stylus like object will completely destroy it.

2.) The included stylus like object is ridiculous.

3.) The camera closes whenever you turn off the phone making it a three step process to take a picture and impossible to catch any changing event.

4.) The connection for charging the phone is propritary and so picky that the only thing that will charge it is the included adapter so you have to carry it around every where you go.

5.) The data connection is propritary so you have carry another cable everywhere you go and this cable will NOT charge the phone.

6.) Whenever you try to use the scroll bar the phone switches to some whacky zoom mode that it is almost impossible to get out of.

7.) The included navigation software, Route 66, is horrible, no search function, cannot even put in an address. Route 66 refuses to provide updates in .CAB format, I have asked, no begged, and just got rude replies that said I should use Windows which is funny because Route 66 started off as Mac software.

8.) Turning on Bluetooth destroys battery life.

9.) The reset hole is so tiny that it is difficult to find an object that will fit in it when you desperately need to reset it, several times each day.

10.) The Power connector is on the side making cradles and auto mounts pretty useless.

11.) Headphone jack or actually lack thereof.

A Couple of good things:

1.) The LED on the power switch is nice and dim so I can keep the Omnia near my bed and still actually sleep.

2.) The form factor is good but it it would have been nice if it were closer to the iPhone deminsions so we could use some of those great accesories.

Hope the next Android phone has a decent form factor so I can finally get out from under Microsofts insanity.

-j

I am sorry to hear this. Are you by any chance a new users to Windows Mobile? It can be quite frustrating to newcomers. I am on my 2nd WinMo phone and 4th WinMo PDA and I really enjoy the Omnia

1) buy a screen protector. I find it actually helps improve the screen sensitivity and accuracy. and when I want to sell the phone it will be worth a lot more

2) I have to admit I hated the fact that the Stylus is not built into the Phone like many others, but I've managed to set it up so that I don't use the stylus at all except for certain games. There are lots of finger friendly applications out there. Kinoma Player, S2P, and even Resco Explorer has a finger friendly mode.

3) you can actually bind one of the keys on the side to start up the camera(so you don't have to hold it for 2-3 seconds). if i need to use the camera quickly i press the call key then the menu key(highest key on the right side). opens in a second

4) it is proprietary yes, but so are a lot of other phones these days. the charger is small enough so this didn't bother me that much

5) the data cable does charge the phone. not as fast but it does when synching. actually I have a printer in my office with a usb port, i can plug it into the printer and charge from tehre as well. I think u need to go to USB Connection Mode under settings and set it to mass storage.

6) the phone is definately not as finger friendly as say the Iphone. and i know what you mean about the scrolling in Opera. but like i said above, there are programs out there that helps with this a lot.

7) The GPS software is a free trial if I am correct. You can also use your 3g/edge connection with Google maps. Personally I use Garmin XT and it works like a charm.

8) bluetooth will always reduce battery life, but should not be substantial, especially on standby. Perhaps you are using an old ROM. Battery life is excellent on the Omnia, even with bluetooth on.

9) the reset hole should be access with the stylus provided and this applies to every phone. Using foreign objects could damage your phone. You can also soft reset the phone by holding down the power button for a few secs to turn it off, then a few more to turn it on again. I reset my phone maybe once a week, and that's usually due to some beta version program i've downloaded off xda-forums.

10) no argument here. I think ht should be at the bottom

11) I use bluetooth for calls/videos/music so this doesn't bother me. but yeah, it definately sucks if you don't have bluetooth.

Once again sorry to hear that you are not enjoying your phone. The first thing you should do is a Rom upgrade if you have not done that. It made a big improvement for me.

[Guest jjordan]

To accuse Samsung of being "proprietary" is ridiculous, if you don't also consider that the iphone, or Apple in general, is extremely proprietary. Sounds to me like you've bought either a branded phone, or if not, then one with a really crappy bundle of software. A ROM update would have solved most of your problems, and a GPS software change would have eliminated the Route 66 problem as well.

You're preaching to the wrong, choir!

Agreed, That is why I do not own an iPhone,  I don't use most of the bundled software, and replacing the GPS software costs more than $100.  I have changed ROMs twice, first because I bought the phone in Italy and I don't speak Italian so there is no branding on the phone except Samsung's rather pathetic offerings.

[Guest maf107ezk0]

OMG B) The things you say are ridiculous! Just by an Iphone and spend millions of dollars :(

[Guest JLP_SVK]

omnia IS CHARGING when connected to PC!!!! and it's great phone....

[Guest Samuelw]

omnia IS CHARGING when connected to PC!!!! and it's great phone....

No it doesn't.

The icon that tells you the phone is charging does appear, however, it doesn't. Leave your phone on connected to your pc while you're playing games or watching some vids and you'll see that your phone didn't charge.

However, I must agree that it's a great phone :( Especially with the BGP100 and Morphgear B) and a better 3.5mm Jack connector

Edited March 22, 2009 by Samuelw

[Guest maf107ezk0]

No, the phone charges through the USB, but slower because the USB port gives out less A then the plug. Leave the phone in standby and it`ll charge.

[Guest jjordan]

I have a screen protector, once the screen is scratched (first day I owned the phone) even polishing makes for weird reflections.

I have been using windows CE/Mcbile since about 1998, have owned something like 11 or 12 devices that use it including 4 or 5 phones.  

If I am using the camera and turn off the phone to conserve power then the camera should be ready when I turn the phone back on.  HTC 3600, Magician and Prophet all worked that way. 

I always have my Omnia in Mass storage mode because I use Linux and that is the only way to access files on the Omina.

NO, Route 66 is not a trial.

The HTC 3600 was/is a much better phone except for the form factor.  I really hope the next Android based phone has a decent form factor as this is the last device in my home with anything by Microsoft on it.  I probably spend more time reading books on my phone using Mobireader than anything else, check email, quick web searches, weather forcast, use it as a camera frequently, GPS except it eats the battery so that is only usable in the car. Cannot use A-GPS because it insists on mainting a 3G connection even after it gets a fix which runs up my bill (no unlimited packages here in Italy), yes I understand how assisted GPS works.  When Using the "finger friendly" keyboard you can only see about two lines of the document you are working on so back to letter recognizer and a stylus.   Perhaps if I played games, which I never do, I would like this phone.  

Glad most of you guys are happy with it but think people considering buying it should be warned, especially about the charging and connectors. 

-j

[Guest zyc3]

buy a bluetooth 3.5mm adapter clip very small and works well for music etc.

You can find Garmin/Tomtom software on ebay for like $20

Update to a nicer rom maybe you would like manilla 2d

[Guest DeeinSouthAfrica]

If everyone were the same we would all be boring. Some people like some things and some people don't - that is what makes us a very interesting (and volatile) race of Human Beings. B)

So be it, you don't like the phone sell it and get something else. The majority of us, on the other hand, are quite happy with our Omnia's, and if we aren't, there is usually a modification out there we can try. :(

Edited March 22, 2009 by DeeinSouthAfrica

[Guest Adrynalyne]

No, the phone charges through the USB, but slower because the USB port gives out less A then the plug. Leave the phone in standby and it`ll charge.

Correct.

I ran into a problem and had to charge my Omnia through my laptop. Never got a full charge after many hours, but it gave me enough to get by until I could charge it for real.

[Guest daskalos]

Are you sure HTC 3600 is much better than the Omnia, so much better that you warn people to buy an Omnia?

Haven't you heard/experienced of HTC 3600 "issues" that are reported by majority of people that are/were using HTC 3600?

These info came from XDA-developers wiki on HTC 3600 or HTC Trinity:

* Slow video playback. Imageon chip not fully utilized.

* Black coating on the metal part at the bottom of the device peels off. It often starts around the mini USB connector for obvious mechanical reasons.

* Playing music with some bluetooth Stereo headsets might make music skip or give bad sound quality.

* When using CPU intensive applications such as games or video, the frame rate drops dramatically while using the touch screen. As soon as the touch screen receives no input the speed increases back to normal.

* When using CPU intensive applications (ex. skype) the device is getting hot. Same remark when using "Internet Sharing" via bluetooth. It is somewhat less obvious when the GPS is turned on.

* Front buttons around but not including joypad can stop working. After a few months the central button, in the middle of the joypad, might start to "click" but without effect. Additional pressure is then needed for the electrical contact.

* Issue with SDHC cards where directories disappear after trinity goes to sleep. Problems also reported with normal miniSD (not HC). Can be quite frustrating when a dozen precious video clips just disappear.

* Seemed to have poor floating point computation as it is not able to run FP intensive application such as PocketRTA's FFT.

* Issues with Touchscreen acting erratically and failing completely after a few months > Solution: MB replacement by HTC.

* HTC phonepad omitted from ROM. stand alone htc phonepad cab works intermittently or not at all. <edit: Dopod Asia has now made the phonepad cab available for download. Requires Club Registration to download.>

* Messaging accounts (email settings, etc.) disappear after a program crashes followed by a soft reset.

* Battery levels goes down in increments of 10% than the usual 1%.

* For prevent password and account dissapearing in WM6 with new XIP u should (you should make this procedure immidiatly after first soft reset ): 1. Set up your connection settings 2. Open IExplorer / Set up Ineternet connection / Open some internet page 3. Click Disconnect button to close internet connection 4. Hold power button and turn off your phone 5. Power on your phone. After that procedure your password wont dissapear. I think that you should repeat the same for mail account (set up mail account / try to send or recieve your mail / hold disconnect button / turn off your phone)

Comparing these issues from those things you warn people about Omnia, I think Omnia is much more bearable...and people must be warn from getting an HTC 3600 too, big time...

[Guest ciscokidinsf]

I have an Omnia and been giving it a lot of time and customization for the last 4 months, still, I would NOT pick the Omnia all over again, some of the reasons jjordan mentioned. Plus these:

- Agree on the proprietary USB connections, carrying 3 or 4 cables, dongles and adapters gets on my nerves. I had to buy one smaller for a 3.5 audio adapter. Really, the lack of simple mini-usb and an audio port is a DAILY reminder on the suckiness. Yes, Apple is proprietary as well, but the majority of other windows phones aren't.

- The LOCATION of the USB connector is stupid. It should've been at the bottom, I know is on the side b/c it also has to be the audio connector as well.

- No cradle, the third party ones are sucky but functional

- LACK OF VISIBILITY ON SUNLIGHT: This is a cellphone, to be used indoors and outdoors!!! The screen is BARELY VISIBLE on sunlight.

- The antenna is WEAKER than older phones (I had an XV6700) and some applications like Slingbox Mobile don't work even when you have a full signal. The location of the antenna near the bottom of the phone is also dubious, b/c your hand is covering the antenna when being held.

- Also, for the US market, the Omnia is even more CRIPPLED, first with the i910 ROM that does not behave like the rest of the world nor has it been updated, and locked GPS, the locked thethering.

- Battery life is mediocre at best. Even after many adjustments.

- The phone does scratch easily in its chrome parts.

- The 5MP camera works great outdoors, but indoors it sucks.

- The stylus just hangs there. Yes you could modify your phone enough to make it unnecessary most of the time, but why not integrate the stylus in the phone?

- The software is a bit buggy, e.g. wi-fi disappears from Connection Manager when battery was near empty and Wi-Fi is managed by the phone. Keyboard choice does not get saved from soft-starts and the memory issues on an phone that has 8GB (or 16GB) are stupid.

Do I like it? After customizing it for 4 months, yes, right now it has the best form factor (until HTC HD and OMNIA HD reach the US) but you have to make many compromises in the long term. Its also the largest capacity windows phone out there. I don't see a windows mobile phone to replace it with just yet, but soon there will be.

[Guest meabigbaldguy]

CORRECTION for clarity

You're still preaching to the wrong choir. First, it doesn't make sense to come into a forum and tell a group of avid users of a certain device not to buy the device - they've already bought it! Second, almost anyone who hasn't already bought an Omnia is probably not likely to look in this forum before they buy. Third, I have the feeling that the concept of the Omnia was developed with the avid user in mind, meaning that this is NOT a phone for your typical mobile user - it's probably not even a phone for the typical PDA user! Lastly, I won't argue that Samsung's stock offerings are dull, but I wouldn't call them pathetic. Anyone who's willing to fork over several hundred dollars/euros/pounds for a device as flexible as the Omnia is likely to shell out more cash - including time - just to develop the device. If you think I'm wrong, then just ask any other hardcore Omniac with any reasonable amount of time spent on this forum.

And of word of advice to you... the next time you buy a touch screen device, invest a few bucks into some screen guards.

[Guest chrisOmnia]

i'll tell you one thing. I am from cyprus and bought my omnia 8GB on the ridiculous price €580. I have it almost 5 months and i hated it. Now i'm using my cousins iphone 3G and i'm happy. I am waiting for the very,very but very great ppc diamond2

[Guest maf107ezk0]

STOP making this topic a spam scene... If you don`t like your phone just buy another one and stop bugging us! If there is a moderator seeing this topic - PLEASE delete it B)

P.S. ARE you suRprised and sad :( :( /// no pun intended :(

[Guest Luk@]

I agree with maf107ezk0. If you do not like the phone then just simply afford another one. I have Omnia for more than six months and I am still very satisfied with it. In my opinion, Omnia is the greatest windows mobile phone I've ever had.

[Guest poits45]

Well. ok people..

I own an Omnia, and I never had any problems with Omnia. Battery charges through USB (Full charge takes some time but.. it's working).

Oh yea JJORDAN, your point no 6.) Whenever you try to use the scroll bar the phone switches to some whacky zoom mode that it is almost impossible to get out of.

When this happens, doubl tap on the screen, and it will go back to normal....

It may be E.U.F.E if you people lmpw what i mean.

And Route 66, how come I'm ABLE to search addresses and enter addresses???

as i have mentioned before, I never had any dramas or issues with Omnia, and only recently have updated to new rom,. and bettery works longer and faster.

[Guest hackers-inc]

Im an omnia user also.

and IM HAPPY TO HAVE IT...

If you are not happy using it, buy another phone that can make you satisfy.

for your comments,I think YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR PHONE .... peace!!!!

[Guest nvally]

Im an omnia user also.

and IM HAPPY TO HAVE IT...

You want a good PPC, a good phone, a good photo camera, a good GPS, an Ipod... etc all in a pack, I don't know such device, but Omnia is THE best off them from the market right now. I don't know why people still buy Omnia (Samsung sold over a million omnias in the world) if it's the worst device.