Samsung Omnia 2 coming to Verizon

No iPhone 3G S for Verizon (yet), but the Omnia 2 will be here later this year.

(Credit: Samsung)

Verizon may not have the iPhone 3G S, but the sequel to Samsung's popular iPhone pretender, the Omnia, will be coming to Verizon later this year, Samsung announced at an event on Monday in Manhattan. As for the exact timing of the Omnia 2's launch, that's still up in the air, as Samsung reps said that Verizon had a tight leash on what info could--and couldn't--release at this time.

But here's what we know, and it looks pretty good:

• 65K WVGA AMOLED Display (3.7-inch, 480 x 800--largest AMOLED display yet in a phone)
• Advanced R-type Touch Screen
• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional (upgradeable to WM 6.5)
• 5-megapixel CMOS camera with autofocus and face-detection, plus geotagging and a photo editor
• Video recording at 30fps@720x480, plus video editor (trim video, audio dubbing, live dubbing, add subtitle)
• Audio supported: MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, WMDRM, OMA DRM 2.1, plus FM radio
• Video supported: DivX, XviD, H.263, H.264, WMV9, MPEG4
• A-GPS with Navigation (3D Map)/LBS
• TouchWiz 2.0 UI with Mobile Widget/3D Media Gate
• Multitask manager/3D Interactive Games
• Bluetooth Stereo Headset (A2DP)
• WiFi
• 2GB/8GB/16GB of internal memory (3 different models)
• microSDHC expansion slot (up to 32GB)
• Up to 10 hours (3G) talk time
• Up to 430 hours (3G) standby time
• Dimensions: 4.65 x 2.36 x 0.47 inches (HWD)

A lot of these features look very similar to what the iPhone 3G S is offering, but this model--for better or worse--runs on the Windows Mobile platform. Still, wouldn't it be nice to see that microSDHC expansion slot on an iPhone?

Let us know what you think of the new Omnia 2, Omnia Lite and Omnia Pro, which has a slide-out keyboard.

Samsung Omnia 2 coming to Verizon

Update: Samsung Omnia 2 coming August 23

Looks very much like the Instinct, but functionally superior. This phone looks awesome! Unfortunately I'm on Sprint. Do you know if Samsung, via Sprint, has an update coming similar to this?

Looks very much like the Instinct, but functionally superior. This phone looks awesome! Unfortunately I'm on Sprint. Do you know if Samsung, via Sprint, has an update coming similar to this?

[dqkennard]

I like the specs. Based on the specs, I'd buy this before I'd buy an iPhone. I'd rather have a real keyboard, though, so I'm not sure I'd go for this over (for example) the Omnia Pro.

[drewtorrespr]

Currently I work in VZW environment, and get tidbits on phones that will be coming. I had gotten some hands-on time with the phone for about 10minutes. Your issues of needing a keyboard are gonna be out the door. To be honest typing text messages on this phone are so easy. Its margin of error of mistyping a letter on this size of a touch screen are next to zero. Samsung made it an issue for their screen to be superior, and typing is no exception because each letter is displayed very largely in Qwerty Format along a horizontal stance. The Phones dialer buttons on screen are huge. The phone is made to be very accessible and seems to take away the smallness of using windows with a stylus and makes it interactive.

[jlt0x]

I heard about an Omnia HD a couple of months ago. I wonder if this is it. In any case, the specs got me feeling a bit giddy. I was waiting to replace my ancient (but vastly capable) Treo 700w when my 2-yr contract expires early next year. I was going to pony-up of the current Omnia, but was hesitant when I heard an updated version was on its way later this year. With all the capabilities of Windows Mobile and the support applications in the Omnia 2, I won't miss my Treo so much & it'll be well worth it.

[tom5965]

This is not the Omnia HD (i8910hd). The HD can be seen on the Samsung Mobil website. The thing is sick! I wish I could get it on the Verizon network and run WinMo on it. The Omnia 2 might have to suffice. (Plus I think I saw somewhere that the HD has a pricetag in the neighborhood of $800.) Anybody know of a place to get a spec comparison chart on all the new Samsung phones coming out?

[bmaeharris]

I have been waiting, albeit impatiently, for this new Omnia II. Go here to see comparison on the new Samsung phones coming out-->http://www.mobiledia.com/phones/samsung/upcoming/page1.html

[munchmer]

I have the current omnia phone and its a sweet phone. I'll definitely upgrade when the time comes. I thought I would want a physical keyboard as I had the Palm Treo 700 before but the Samsung keyboard works very well. A lot of friends had bought the Dare but now wish they had gotten the Omnia. Especially now that it looks like the widgets are being expanded by Samsung, and now Opera as well.

[gbelk08]

I don't know if it has one or not, but Samsung needs to realize that if they want my business, a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack is required. Proprietary means no-go. Get in the game already Samsung.

[moonspoon]

I believe there are both jacks: standard and mini.

You got your wish baby, it comes with a 3.5 mm headphone jack, FM Radio and your choice of 8,16, or 32gb...

[mkingstsm]

It looks good, but when is someone going to come out with a clamshell style smart phone with a true QWERTY keypad? The Blackberry 8200/8300 is o.k., but it's not a full QWERTY. I really need a clamshell style phone. The candy bar / slider's don't work well for me.

[in2b8me]

the second version of a utterly crappy phone is most likely to be... an utterly crappy phone. WinMo blows. Its not a little slow, its buggy and freezes. Honestly the phone can "PROMISE" to do anything, but it won't. Iphone may not have an SDHC card, but what good is that card in the Omnia if it keeps freezing?

It sounds like you had a bad experience with the Omnia. I've had mine for about six months and in that time I've used it daily not only for making calls but browsing the net, as a modem for my laptop, some fun and games and mobile access to my office exchange server. There hasn't been even one lock-up or "Freeze".

I have nothing but GREAT things to say about the current Omnia. Flat out it's the best smartphone I've ever owned.

No, I don't work for Samsung, Microsoft or Verizon!

[Mister Winky]

I've had an Omnia since early December, 2008. I've had to "hard boot" 3 times total in almost 7 months -- not bad, really. It's much more stable than my previous Treo 700W and vastly more stable than my Palm OS based phones.

The Omnia is not perfect, but it's a very good smartphone. It's quick, very capable, has a darn good camera, gets excellent battery life (I go days without charging) and more. Windows Mobile, for all it's detractors, has many capabilities that I haven't run into on other phones. Most important for me: I can sync my e-mail, calendar, contacts and tasks to different sources, wired or wireless. For example, I sync my work Exchange mail and calendar to the Omnia wirelessly, but I sync my contacts from Outlook at home. Windows Mobile isn't pretty, but it's very functional.

The only Omnia downsides: the screen brightness is sometimes lacking in outdoor situations, it needs a 3.5mm headphone jack and better sound quality.

Overall, it's the best smartphone I've used and it's available from Verizon, the best carrier (IMO) with the exception of their backwards policy to cripple GPS.

[moonspoon]

Non-tech people should be stuck with the fold type basic phones. They do not understand how the smart phones work and complain so much about the phones. I have been using smartphones for four years, and the Omnia is the best.

[aSiriusTHoTH]

Your out of your mind. I've had the Omnia for 7 months now and it has NEVER froze. Stop watching porn and downloading kiddie games, and you'll be fine. Some of your mac fanboys are truly lame...

[Spoonio101]

i want one, and my sources tell me, its coming out in end of july or beginning of august...

[kangotang]

With the addition of video capture and voice dialing the iPhone would be at the top of my list... if I could get it through Verizon. But until that happens the Omnia or Omnia 2 look to be my best bet.

I currently use a old Moto Q with WinMo 5.0 - very clunky OS, but gets the job done, and is generally reliable. WinMo 6.1 seems to be a big improvement. Part of the reason why the iPhone is more reliable is the lack of background application support. If you only use MS apps and close them when you're done WinMo is extremely reliable. Its just a trade off.

The most appealing thing about the Omnia was how thin it was. I don't want to carry around a chunk (ie HTC Touch) in my pocket all day. By the numbers the Omnia 2 looks to be .05" thinner than the original.

[richo151]

HSDPA on Verizon? Can that be right? I thought Verizon was CMDA EVDO Rev.A until it went 4G with LTE next year?

[friscoG]

I am tired of Verizon getting the weakest phones. C'mon Verizon, get phones that people actually really want. Bring on Android, bring on Iphone, bring on Pre. I am still on a Samsung ICH-760 and just updated to WinMo 6.1 which seems to be buggier and slower than the stock 6.0. As much as I love the capabilities of WinMo, I am tired of them running slow and needing to be rebooted.....or having to constantly go in the task manager to stop programs from running....half of them that I never even started!

[MrMartini]

There is an option in your settings called "X button." If you turn it on, it will make the X button on the top actually CLOSE programs instead of putting them in the background. That'll resolve your problem of having to go to the task manager to close running programs.

[techtechtechin]

but i'm sure you'll still be forced to get a data or e-mail plan. =[

[anhtney]

the omnia 2 and omniaHD are 2 different phones. omniaHD was announced at Mobile World Congress while Omina 2 was announced recently at CommunicAsia in singapore. So which omina are you talking about. The Omina 2 pictured is the one recently announced.

[anhtney]

also here is a link to a brief video of it. (the one in loaded was of the omniaHD)

www.asia.cnet.com/crave/2009/06/16/video-hands-on-of-the-samsung-omnia-ii/

[diamondduq]

It's not hard to have a phone with better specs than the iPhone 3GS, in fact there are plenty out there, but where the iPhone wins hands down is it's OS and apps and maybe Android or Palm's WebOS will be able to win some people over but I can really see no way for a WinMo phone to win over the masses in the US. I for one will wait for one of these gorgeous Samsungs with Android to come out, hopefully on Verizon and hopefully Verizon won't squash too much of the OS. I know, that's asking a lot.

[fotoczar]

Does anybody know if WinMo 6.5 will be upgradeable to 7? I have a Motorola Q with WinMo 5 which isn't upgradeable at all. Being stuck with a phone that can't be upgraded leaves a really sour taste in my mouth. Why would anyone buy another WinMo phone of any kind if it can't be continually upgraded? iPhone can be upgraded. Android can be upgraded. The new WebOS (Palm Pre) can be upgraded. If Microsoft doesn't join this movement, WinMo will be doomed.

[diamondduq]

Why would anyone buy a WinMo phone in the first place?

[JDubbs115]

People buy WinMo phones because they are highly functional devices. Granted it's not the most attractive OS, but due to its long legacy it has a myriad of app available to it and is backed by a very large developer network, the like of which Apple or Android supporters have probably never seen. The Omnia (IMO) is a very good device (surpassing even the iPhone 3G S in many of its specs) and has the benefits of being arguably one of the most powerful WinMo phones ever made available by a US carrier and was made aesthetically pleasing both hardware-wise and OS-wise thanks to Samsung. While I acknowledge and accept the fact that you find no interest in it, I hope you realize that the Omnia one of VZW's top selling smartphones and is a top search item here on cnet. In case you are wondering, yes I do have an Omnia, and yes I will be upgrading when the Omnia 2 comes out.

[commun6]

"Windows Mobile is backed by a very large developer network, the likes of which Apple or Android supporters have probably never seen."

50,000 applications for the iPhone? I think Apple supporters have seen a very large developer network. Think before you type!

[sockfocks]

I love my omnia and can't wait for the omnia 2. SPB mobile shell 3.0 rocks on the omnia. :)

[brynn08]

this phone sucks....along with every phone on VZW......and there way over priced.....regardless of how good the service is....

[skatingrocker17]

Agreed, I have Verizon and the service is great but the phone are just way to tied down with Verizon software. I really wish they had the Palm Pre or the iPhone or an Android phone.