Windows has become the third most popular platform in the United States, when it comes to devices of all stripes (tablets, smartphones, PCs). Interestingly enough, Windows phones are rising in terms of not only popularity, but also phone production and variety. With each passing week, more and more Windows phones are getting slated for production and sale in the three largest phone carriers (and others, as well). Verizon, the third-largest carrier (behind AT&T and Sprint) will receive the new Samsung Ativ Odyssey, a low-level Windows phone for customers who are new to the smartphone experience.
The Ativ Odyssey will come with the following features and specs:
- OS: Windows 8
- 4-inch display (using super AMOLED technology)
- 800 x 480 screen resolution
- 5-megapixel camera (rear-facing)
- 1080p video recording
- 1.2-megapixel, front-facing camera
- 1.5Ghz Snapdragon processor (Qualcomm)
- 2,100mAh battery
The Qualcomm Snapdragon processor will ensure that the Odyssey runs quickly, since Qualcomm is known for its fast and efficient processor chips. In addition, the Windows 8 operating system will make the Samsung Ativ Odyssey a welcome phone for those who want the full Windows experience without compromise on an entry-level device. The 4-inch display provides a proper viewing display by which consumers can read emails, browse the Internet, and watch YouTube videos. The display will also make it easy to type and send emails, since it is half an inch wider than the current iPhone 4/4S display.
The four-inch display comes with super AMOLED technology, one that makes your pictures brighter than that of a liquid crystal display (or LCD) screen. “AMOLED” is an acronym for “active-matrix organic light-emitting diode,” revealing in its name that AMOLED screens, similar to OLED screens, emit or send more light through their screens than normal LCD displays. The super AMOLED designation means that you will see crisp, clear photos, videos, and emails on your Windows 8 phone. Another advantage of this phone is that it carries the full Windows 8 experience. Tech experts have been on the critical side when it comes to Microsoft’s Surface RT tablet, since the Windows RT OS requires app downloads from its own store and does not allow you to use old Windows 7 apps on your new device.
The entry-level nature of the Windows 8 device can be seen in its battery, cameras, and screen resolution. While the super AMOLED screen does provide the brightness of an advanced device, the Ativ Odyssey does have a small screen resolution (800 x 480) than that of, say, a Nokia Lumia 920 (1280 x 768) – although a Nokia Lumia 920 does have a half-an-inch advantage over the Ativ Odyssey. The battery is only a 2,100mAh battery, meaning that it may provide the same amount of talk time as the original battery found in the Samsung Galaxy S3. Owning a Galaxy S3, I can tell you that it is reliable for calls, small Internet browsing, and numerous standby time. The battery is compatible for those who want to do a small amount of tasks with the phone; if someone wants to play XBox games regularly, watch lots of movies, or spend a large amount of time on Facebook and Twitter, increased battery life is needed. I would suggest ordering a battery pack case for the Ativ Odyssey. While the original Galaxy S3 battery was 2,100mAh, Samsung just placed a 3,000mAh extended battery on sale for around $65. Thus, the Ativ Odyssey may receive an extended battery at some point in the future.
The cameras themselves are at the starting point for those who are new to the Windows (or smartphone) experience. 1.2-megapixel and 5-megapixel cameras will provide high-definition (HD) photos for your albums and walls, which is the entry-level photo experience. Most smartphones today are producing standard 8-megapixel, rear-facing cameras that provide an Ultra HD experience. Ultra HD will provide photos that have more detail than an HD camera, but this does not mean that HD cameras are not sufficient to provide marvelous photos themselves.
Verizon has yet to provide the cost of the phone, but the features and specs lead to a price of somewhere around $80-$99 on a two-year contract with Verizon Wireless. The Samsung Ativ Odyssey will arrive this Spring.