Verizon announces Samsung Omnia for $249.99
By Chris Ziegler 
posted November 25th 2008 9:00AM
posted November 25th 2008 9:00AM
posted November 25th 2008 9:00AM
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I haven't seen any information on InfoManager about this phone, but yet I see it everywhere on the 'net...
I was hoping the screen would have been a higher resolution (cough) Touch Pro (cough), but the specs everywhere else look pretty sweet to me, especially for a VZW phone...
Maybe you should check the equipment guide, it was made available there yesterday.
You both must be smokin some a that good shi.... yeah guys its been in infomanager since last week man. NE area at least it has.
I agree I would have liked to see a better resolution screen. However, this phone appears to be everything else I would want out of a phone, including being thin, and since there's no sign of the Touch Diamond anywhere, and I've been holding out for a new phone since March, I may just jump once I can test this out in-store!
I need to dump my crappy vx6800. I have to reboot the thing (this is my second unit) a couple of times a day as the screens hang all the time...sometimes only clearing after a reboot. I'm torn between the Omnia and the Touch Pro. Besides the obvious keyboard and codec differences, which unit is going to have more horsepower to run WinMO and reduce goofy stuff? I know bad code it bad code, but let's just assume WinMo 6.1 (which I am running right now) runs better on these two phones.
Thanks for any advice.
this phone runs like a scalded dog.
quick as all get out, the touch screen is very very easy to use. much easier than the xv6900
the stylus is kinda weird, its seperate as a whole from the phone. it comes with a tether on it, and the phone has a loop for it on the top left corner.
id be pocketing that stylus at all times haha
but yeah, this phone is sick, and i want one.
I have 2 phones to upgrade. Does anyone know (have not seen anything on http://www.verizonwireless.com) if it is available to order online? Thanks.
How did they announce it? I don't see anything at all on the website... :-\
Are they going to have a mandatory data plan because it's a smartphone?
Yes, its not a hard concept to grasp, all data phones sold or activated after november 16th require a data plan. Pay as you go is only an option if you had a data phone prior to 11/16/08. This also means if you had a pda phone, took it off and added it back on after the 16th of november you are going to be required to use a data plan. You can only keep it if you had it active at the time the change over took place.
Also no this is not a breach of our contract terms as it is stated in the contract we reserve the right to change our plans rates or polcies at any time.
@ D Train:
actually, only pda/smartphones RELEASED after 11/16 will require a data plan of 29.99/44.99. anything that was released prior to 11/16 will still have the other data plan options (24.99/29.99/44.99/blocked).
it will be available for on-line purchase starting tomorrow...
I just phoned in the order, it's available today. Overnight is 8 bucks more, so will have it tomorrow. The Touch Pro is also available, see it at verizonwireless.com website. I thought about getting the Touch Pro but found the price and features not worth it compared to the Samsung.
Are they going to have a mandatory data plan because it's a smartphone?
Yes, sigh, i had to add the 30 dollar data plan, I going to try and remove it once i get the phone.
You're going to be very disappointed, when they don't let you cancel the data plan.
Shame they brought this one stateside and just didn't hold off for the T*Omnia (maybe AT&T will get it?). Not only do you get crappy GSM speeds, but you get a lackluster screen resolution! I think I'll hold off for the T*Omnia.
What are you talking about GSM speeds, it's coming to Verizon (i.e. a CDMA carrier). It will most likely feature EVDO for high speed data since ALL VZW's smartphones do.
I read this thread, saw it was available, just called VZW, got this phone on the way for tomorrow. $319.99 less $50 VIP upgrade (not sure why, but I'm a VIP), less $70 MIR, total will be $199.99 + $34.10 tax, after I get the rebate check/card. Not bad for a phone this powerful. I paid a lot more for my POS Q. I will have this tomorrow by 3 PM.
I just called VZW to try and order one, but I was told they do not available for ordering yet. So whats the deal with that?
Is it seriously tomorrow or Dec 8th? http://www.Samsng-Omnia.org keeps on saying it's Dec8th and some people here saying it's tomorrow.
I am very confused.
I don't care what people say, I still can't text on a touch screen.
Have you tried the LG Incite yet? It makes me wish I was still with at&t.
I waited a year after my contract with Verizon ran out to find the dream device like this one. After getting so excited yesterday seeing it was going to be available today, I signed onto Verizon to upgrade to it a little after midnight. Much to my dismay I encountered the following while trying to select options:
PDA/Smartphone Email
You must select an option below
Email and Web for Smartphone Your Price: $29.99/month
Unlimited Data Usage Your Price: $44.99/month
I planned on constantly being in sync with the Wi-Fi connection at both home and work, with the ability to occasionally hop onto an open signal here and there while on the road. I don't NEED the damn service from Verizon, and I find it appalling that they don't even mention the wireless capability in the descriptions of any of the phones that do have Wi-Fi capabilities. This practice of cramming extra unneeded services down people's throats (AT&T with their 'unlimited' $99 data plan with the Iphone as well) has got to stop, all of these major corporations are forcing the advance of new technology in this country to a grinding halt. On top of this is the fact that after announcing about 9 months ago that it would begin allowing other devices on its network, Verizon still hasn't opened it up. I'll take my extra $360 saved from the plan, go buy the unlocked phone that I REALLY want, and put it on a network that will accept it. It's time to stand your ground people, these business practices are unacceptable.
companies (such as verizon) make very little money on the actual sale of the devices, and are aiming to make up the cost with services plans. which is also why ETFs are reality. basically, if the phone costs $500 retail, Verizon probably pays no less than $450 (if even that low).
also, pda/smartphones are DATA devices. as such, data plans are becoming increasingly required because companies (oh hell, let's just keep saying verizon) are sick and tired of people who want to be able to use all functions so they don't block anything, then call in when they get their bill because there are additional data charges. Those charges are most likely for having used the browser or email. Accidental usage or not, these calls cost the company money JUST TO TAKE THEM, and then additional lost money in what will more than likely end up as a credit month over month because there is no data plan and customers SWEAR they NEVER EVER have a reason to use the data functions.
the "nice" thing, if you will, is that Verizon is currently only requiring data plans on newer pda/smartphones that are RELEASED AFTER 11/16. And then after sometime in January 2009, some regular phones that have advanced capabilites will also require a data plan of some sort... I'm sure the main reason for that is because of the paragraph above this one. There's no word yet that I've seen if current devices (i.e. Voyager, Dare, Glyde, Krave - which the HTML browser) that are newly activated (meaning you didn't own them before) will require the data plan. I'm sure more info will come out on that when the time gets closer, and people who don't care about their jobs will leak that info to the public.
Your right Gene..how dare VZW and the other carriers try and make money..what is wrong with them?????
You stand your ground big man and don't give them your business, then they will learn. It is small people like you that change the face of business! Keep fighting the good fight.
If you don't want a data connection then go buy an iPod Touch. There's no use for a smartphone without data. WiFi is so insecure to be doing business on.
Did anyone notice on the Verizon site that it doesn't mention it has WiFi but the picture of the phone has:
Wifi: Turned off
You mean you only just got the Omnia in America? Why?
I just ordered one last night. Was going to get the Storm but this has more features I want (don't just want a phone, I want one device to carry for camera, phone, multimedia). They dropped the price to $199 AR, no shipping, no activation fee through this weekend. Don't really want Verizon (have ATT now) but my Verizon work cell works at home and my ATT doesn't.
i saw the same requirement when trying to order the samsung omnia. i just emailed to verizon support about how stupid it is to require a data plan when upgrading to the samsung omnia. please, would you email verizon & let them know what you think?
I had this phone for over a week now and I truly belive it's the best of the best of the best.
None of the annoying , irritating quirks of HTC phones (I gave back my touch pro, and annulled my HD order to get this baby), or the limitations and failures of iPhone.
Ok , I never tried the BB storm, but now I dont care anymore, coz this is how a touch screen should be and behave to make me love it.
it only has two faults: one little and one very big,
The power button is minuscule (the little problem)
And the big problem is that incredibly Samsung did'nt include in the million features of this phone a voice control/voice dialing program.
You must install by yourself MS voice Command or (better) Cyberon Speed Dial, which work ok on the Omnia, but even with them you cannot start a call from a bluetooth headset, which is a big minus for everyone who drives a car, a bike, or a monocycle.
Let's hope Samsung will feel our pain and do something about this unexcusable fault in a smartphone of this class and price.
i just got the Omnia. i was using the I-phone but it gave me so many problems. presently, it doesn't recognise any usb cable and so i can't charge it or repair it through i-tunes.
i think the Omnia is an I-phone and more.
Just getting the feel of it.
But I really want to know, can i download different themes so that the icons and other displays may look different. the theme looks more like that of Windows 95 rather than Windows Vista which is supposed to be the platform on which the Windows Mobile 6.1 operates.
Anyway i think the additional toys are cool.
Adios!!
I have got an Omnia AND a HTC touch HD (I need a different phone for work) and even though I had them both for over a month (two in the case of the Omnia) I would'nt be able to say which one is the best: they are both excellent.
The Omnia however is definitely more elegant and nice looking, the camera has got a flash )lacking in the HD) and the mini mouse /trackpad is simply genial.
Be sure to get a i910 Omnia and not an i900 Omnia 'cause otherways your phone will come without voice dialing and even if you install a voice dialing program by yourself it will not work with bluetooth devices.
Luckily my Omnia i900 broke irrimediably while still in guarantee and I got an i910 in change by the seller who did'nt look very happy at all.