Samsung Omnia makes official Verizon appearance

Not that we've any reason to be shocked here, but Samsung's Omnia is indeed coming to Verizon Wireless. 'Course, most everyone with any remote affiliation to Big Red is frenzied over that other phone today, but those with a soft spot for Windows Mobile 6.1 may want to give this one a bit of attention. You know the highlight specs by now -- a 5-megapixel camera / camcorder, full HTML browser and an expansive touchscreen -- but the nitty-gritty details are still being withheld. As of now, the link on Samsung's website tunnels straight to an error page, forcing us to be content with the knowledge that somehow, someday, this phone is destined for a life on VZW's shelves. Enlarged screengrab is after the jump.

[Leindurstit @ Nov 21st 2008 10:32AM]

Meh. Show me the Touch Pro already.

[From My Cube @ Nov 21st 2008 10:47AM]

Show me Touch Pro






XXX


oh im sorry, lets see if the other team has any of the top five responses

[Mark Anderson @ Nov 21st 2008 1:27PM]

The Touch Pro is Ok but I prefer the Omnia.

Horses for courses.

[R Nair @ Nov 21st 2008 1:47PM]

Omnia ROCKS! It really does everything. Loaded with everything from credit card scanner to 3 different keyboard layouts in portrait and landscape! and it handles corporate emails perfectly :)

[TheGeektoriousBIG @ Nov 21st 2008 10:42AM]

Meh, show me windows 7 already.

[notangry @ Nov 21st 2008 10:48AM]

Meh, show me this thing running Andriod.

na

[Mark Anderson @ Nov 21st 2008 1:30PM]

Why the hell would you want Android on it? Despite the anti-WinMo chants from the usual suspects 6.1 is actually a very good mobile OS. Sure, it's fuck ugly, but that's where TouchWiz comes in plus SPB Shell, etc.

Android on the other hand is an experimental OS with not a hell of a lot going for it right now. Maybe in a year it might be worth it but not at the moment.

[Saad Rabia @ Nov 21st 2008 10:47AM]

Been using it for a month: I LOVE IT.

[GoBrowns @ Nov 21st 2008 11:17AM]

Why do you want a smartphone if you don't want the data plan?

[Ethan @ Nov 21st 2008 11:49AM]

You've been using the Omnia on VZW for a month? Tell us more, please!

[Mark Anderson @ Nov 21st 2008 1:27PM]

I've had mine in the UK on Voda for about three months. It's a great phone but there are a couple of things to bear in mind:

1) Branded firmware is crap. Get a better ROM on it as soon as possible - at least an HI series one if not an HJ.
2) That's it.

Apart from the lack of a standard 3.5mm jack (curse you Samsung!) it's just about perfect.

[Ryan @ Nov 21st 2008 10:48AM]

Unfortunately we are forced to pay the $29.99 data package on all newly released smart phones.

[ThePhoenixLament @ Nov 21st 2008 10:49AM]

Which is why I'm so glad I stayed with Sprint and got the Simply Everything Plan.

[Kyle @ Nov 21st 2008 11:33AM]

Is that the Samsung Dare

[Grant @ Nov 21st 2008 6:09PM]

yup,
you win.
engadget is announcing a phone that has been out for months.

[Dean @ Nov 21st 2008 11:41AM]

I hope Sprint gets this phone too.

[happy_penguin @ Nov 21st 2008 11:50AM]

Very nice. I would replace my iPhone with this. :)

[Jay Evans @ Nov 21st 2008 11:53AM]

http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Samsung-Omnia/25332545934

http://pages.samsung.com/us/omnia/

[Andrew @ Nov 21st 2008 12:00PM]

@Leindurstit


Though it's no Touch Pro, how can they relate? They are for different carriers, therefore you have to pick one or the other..

[Ari @ Nov 21st 2008 12:17PM]

Touch Pro is coming to Verizon by Years End. These two and the BB Storm are the Big Three for Big Red.

[cocoviper @ Nov 21st 2008 1:22PM]

RE: Ari
I thought the latest guidance showed that verizon wasn't going to have the touch pro until early next year (late Jan-early feb)?

[Grant @ Nov 21st 2008 6:11PM]

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/11/12/touch-pro-launching-on-verizon-november-24-in-stores-december-1/

Touch Pro: Nov 24th online, Dec 1st for stores.

[Hazarath @ Nov 21st 2008 2:08PM]

Yay, as if we don't get the BSoD enough on our desktops, now we can get them in a portable option... might be a good excuse to get out of an annoying conversation.

'Sorry, hun, the phone crashed... I swear I was listening..."

[Mark Anderson @ Nov 21st 2008 2:24PM]

So name me one smartphone that doesn't crash then.

Go on.

[M @ Nov 22nd 2008 12:03PM]

My Verizon Pantech PN-820 WinMo5 phone has never crashed on me.

[boring @ Nov 21st 2008 2:39PM]

http://www.samsung.com/hk_en/consumer/detail/features.do?group=mobilephones&type=mobilephones&subtype=35gphone&model_cd=SGH-I908XKATGY

The phone is already released in Asia, such Taiwan, HK, with price around $700 (16GB) unlock version. There is a 8GB on the way.

The phone still has something to work on. Current fix at HHJ1 firmware: freeze at random, unable to charge when plug-in to USB cable.

[Mark Anderson @ Nov 21st 2008 2:44PM]

DTHJ6 is actually the latest ROM

[Phil @ Nov 21st 2008 5:04PM]

A little while ago, "Samsung Omnia" responded on the facebook discussion forums regarding US availablility. Nov. 23 at Verizon.

http://www.new.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=25332545934&topic=5480&ref=mf
http://www.new.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=25332545934&topic=5255&ref=mf
http://www.new.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=25332545934&topic=5591&ref=mf

Also see this:
http://www.new.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=25332545934&topic=5574&ref=mf

[Jason @ Nov 21st 2008 5:31PM]

Does anyone know if there will be any way to get around the $30/mo data plan if I get this phone for Verizon? I have free WiFi everywhere I go practically and don't need it, and I definitely can't afford it. Any thoughts?

[David @ Nov 21st 2008 6:27PM]

In short, no you can't get a smartphone anymore for VZW and not pay the data rate. But if you don't need WinMo or email, then why not get an LG Dare? Great camera, unlimited internet and nav for $15/mo, plus a battery that doesn't need charging every single day. I've had mine for 3 months now and I absolutely love it. great touchscreen, much easier to type with than my iTouch.

[Aaron @ Nov 22nd 2008 7:41AM]

Well to be fair, you have to pay a data plan fee when you are with Sprint as well.

But I will agree that Verizon is currently the most expensive provider. That's what happens when you maintain such a quality network, though.

At least they aren't selling off their towers, ala SPRINT.

[erin @ Nov 22nd 2008 4:23PM]

SURE you can get around it. I have a palm treo right now without a data plan.. its my friends old phone bc mine kicked the bucket. Get the data plan.. keep it for a month.. then go online and calcel your data features. Theres no fee for downgrading your plan. Thats what my friend did and when I got this phone i just added it to my non data plan.!

[jaystar @ Nov 22nd 2008 2:11PM]

windows Mobile 6.5 is surely gonna be on this nice Samsung device. Microsoft and Verizon just inked a deal recently so one can assume that Verizon will have the first phones with windows mobile 6.5. The omnia would defininetly take advantage of wm 6.5

[The Sofa King @ Nov 23rd 2008 8:45PM]

Verizon will neuter the hell outta this phone before they eventually release it...just as they did with the Glyde.