Zune vs. Samsung

The Zune is probably not an iPod-killer. The question is, will the Samsung YP-P2 be a Zune-killer?

(Credit: Samsung)

After having a day to reflect on Microsoft's latest Zune offering, I began to think that perhaps the iPod vs. Zune battle is a little too obvious. Whether the iPod's position at the top of the MP3 player food chain is deserved or not, history has shown us that it will likely stay there. The real question is, "As the holidays approach, which MP3 player will come in second place?"

When it comes to interface and killer features, the challenger that Microsoft should really keep an eye on is the yet-to-be-released Samsung YP-P2 I reported on back in August. Although Samsung hasn't released pricing information yet, things could really heat up if the YP-P2 can get close to the $149 and $199 price points of the iPod Nano and Flash-based Zunes. Not only does the YP-P2 offer a 3-inch touch screen and built in Bluetooth, but it also has the advantage of not being Microsoft. Honestly, after Apple's successful "I'm a Mac" smear campaign, it's tough to convince people that Microsoft makes cool gear (unless you've got Halo 3 as bait).

We've been able to dig up two videos on YouTube that demonstrate the interface for both the Zune and Samsung YP-P2. To be fair, the Zune video shows a demonstration by a product rep, while the YP-P2 is handled by someone who seems barely familiar with the product. In my opinion, both interfaces look equally stunning. Still, here's the four questions that I can't shake:

1. Is there a way to pronounce the YP-P2 without saying "pee-pee"?

2. Which is more useful, the YP-P2's stereo Bluetooth transmission, or the Zune's wireless syncing capabilities?

3. Are touch screens really a superior interface, or has the iPhone hype simply created that impression?

4. Just how well does the new Zune handle podcasts?

I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Until then, I'll be studying these videos. Sound off in the TalkBack section if you've already declared a winner.

(This post originally appeared on the newly relaunched MP3 Insider blog.)

Microsoft Zune 80GB

Samsung YP-P2

[commorancy]

Samsung = blech

While I would love to get excited about some new Samsung product, I just can't. While Samsung does offer a reasonable style, it's not the style that's at issue. It's an issue of both quality and longevity. Every Samsung product I have ever owned has died prematurely or has had some basic intrinsic problem early into its life. I simply do not trust this company to provide long lasting high quality electronics (especially in the portable space). If they want to improve their image, they need to provide more than pricing and features. They need to provide quality electronics that last. In the present age of tossable electronics, Samsung's products tend to be more tossable than most. So, I just don't relish the thought of tossing a similarly priced Samsung MP3 player a year earlier than I would an iPod or Zune simply because it died.

So, thanks, but no thanks to Samsung. That's not to say the Zune is a higher quality product as I haven't owned one. But, I'd trust an unknown quantity, such as the Zune, over a known quantity like Samsung. Call me biased, but I've worked with Samsung products long enough to know to stay away from them no matter how attractive the price.

[xstarburst]

That's really weird, because I had a Samsung MP3 player and almost all of my phones came from Samsung and they all lasted forever. My Mp3 player for example was usable for nearly 3 years of almost everyday use. And I don't even want to think about how many times I dropped it (translation => I dropped like 3 times a day). Same for my phones.

How long did you keep your Samsung product? Cuz mine lasted forever almost.

[asorrell]

Samsung is OK,

I've had two Samsung mp3 players & now I have a zune. The Samsung was reliable & all but I gotta say the Zune sounds 10 times better,worked faster & was easy to use. Samsungs good but not good enough.

[stjohnob]

Blutetooth

I would love for the Zune to have built in Bluetooth. I have a Bluetooth enabled car stereo, so instead of having another wire (the stereo mini jack) hooked up, I could just use A2DP Bluetooth and have all that stereo sound without the wire. I already have it charging along with my phone, so I'd love to cut the wire.

[tec9.RG]

ipod .....ipod .....ipod....ipod .....

[jack.d.ripper]

Samsung is better than OK

The previous Samsung devices that I have owned have all functioned perfectly and are still going strong. They seemed to be good quality builds, and the mp3 player I bought a couple of years ago (which I still use) has quite good sound quality. I'm not an audiophile purist, but I do like my music.
Of the top 3 devices that I would consider buying next, MS Zune is not on the list as all.

[Magishine]

One thing about touchscreen....

Is it a superior interface? No it's not. At least I don't think so. One of the little things that I liked about my ipod the short time I had it was the fact that I could switch tracks without having to take the player out of my pocket or, if I'm driving, looking at the screen. It works really well when you know how your playlist is set up. You can't really do that comfortably with a touchscreen.

I've actually been considering a Zune for my next player. It was either that or a Creative Zen. I'll probably look into Samsung. I'm basically just looking for a player that has good features for the price. I jumped on the ipod bandwagon before and while I didn't get burned or anything, I can no longer justify spending the money for an ipod when I can get something that works just as well and has more features for less money.

[shoot2sccore67]

#2 Market Share: What about Creative & Sandisk?

Samsung has a nice device. But aren't the real contenders for #2 market share Creative and Sandisk?

[OscarWeb]

Sandisk is already at #2

Microsoft and their all too common number-twisting makes everyone think that the Zune is the #2 player on the market. They are #2 in the hard-disk-based player market, but #3 in terms of the overall market. 01/07 NPD figures show Sandisk with an 8.9% market share and Microsoft with 3.2%

[Jens.j]

Price Difference

You've already mentioned the 4 GB and 8 GB Zune are at $149 and $199. The Samsung YP-P2 is going for $249 on Amazon (but not shipping yet). So for that price, you're inevitably going to be comparing 8GB Samsung P2 vs. 80 GB iPod classic vs. 80GB Zune.

[rchung89]

Quality goes to Samsung

It's hard to go up against Samsung in terms of quality. I admit the 8gig memory is kind of a downer but other than that its a great deal. Unless Microsoft's new Zune uses DNSE2 or some HD sound program samsung has me bought.

[AlanHub]

only the zune is making me regret buying the touch

The screen on the zune is amazing, the interface is amazing, and the touch pad
thing is also amazing. While the samsung looks less intuitive, and it evens
seemed that the user was having difficulty skipping through tracks.

[bdoyle87]

Zune needs more credit...

I have a brown zune and I just love it, video quality is great as is the sound. I think the green tint to the brown is a cool touch and overall I think the zune looks much better then the video ipods. I must say though this new zune looks to be almost indentical as far as the interface and I dont like the new exterior.

[zarrik]

tough call

Both of these players are promising. I'm actually impressed at the Zune's interface. Samsung definitely wins out on quality, although Microsoft doesn't build the Zune - the first generation was made by Toshiba (not sure who is building the new generation). Touchscreen wins the cool factor, but I'm not sure it's the superior technology. I think that Microsoft is definitely going to take second place. They sold 1.2 million of the first Zune in a relatively small period of time, and I think they will sell a lot more of the 2.0 version. I wish Creative or Sandisk had a good competitor to this.

[Jens.j]

Zune build

Microsoft actually took over all aspects of Zune production. So the Zune 2.0 project is entirely an in-house operation. They built a new Zune factory next to the Xbox factory and if memory serves me right, they're both located in China.

[mark.porter]

It's clearly pronounced "YiP P2"

The "i" is invisible, but you can definitely hear it when you say it...

[afakirani]

YP isn't supposed to be pronounced YiP

The YP before the P2 isn't supposed to be pronounced YiP. It's the abbreviated for of Samsung's designation for it's MP3 line called Yepp. I don't see how it's "clearly" supposed to be pronounced "YiP"

[Dexter10016]

Like Romeo and Juliet...

I'm surprised, they both look pretty cool. To mix it up even more, found a cool contest for a new ipod Nano (w/ video), the one that comes in all the different colors, looks pretty cool...http://www.stratadirect.com/iPod/

[RandomPerson06]

So which one?

If you don't want to say "pee-pee" just call it the P2. That's what everyone calls it here in Korea. I own a P2 and I mus say, it's great. They don't sell Zunes here for some reason, so the P2 was really my only option other than the iPod Touch, which I would never buy.

When comparing the P2 and Zune 8, the only real way to justify the price difference is the presence of a touch screen on the P2. But really, I don't think comparing the P2 and Zune 8 is fair. The Zune and Samsung's upcoming T10 would be a better comparison.