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Samsung Ativ S I8750 Review

Price
Euro220

Samsung Ativ S I8750 Review

Samsung Ativ S I8750 Review

Introduction

With Samsun ATIV S, the company has entered in the lineup of Windows Phone 8 devices. The Samsung ATIV S is a large and more powerful smartphone by the company that is an aluminum beauty with a 1.5GHz processor that's ready to rock with Microsoft's new smartphone OS. Samsung has already established itself as an Industry leader or pioneer in mobile hardware with its smartphones and phablets such as Samsung Galaxy Note II and Samsung Galaxy S III.

Samsung ATIV S comes with plenty of features to be excited about. But, we need to see whether Samsung can follow its records breaking success of its Galaxy S and Note II because ATIV S works on a platform that Samsung has not dominated before. Well let’s see whether this ATIV S is going to live up to the expectations.

Design & Build

With respect to design and build, the ATIV S looks very much similar to the Galaxy S3. The ATIV S comes with the same aluminum chassis however, it is just a tiny but longer as compared to the Galaxy S3. Furthermore, physical Windows button and capacitive back and search keys stand it apart from the S3. On the other hand, the two phones are extremely comparable when it comes to thickness.

On the right side of the device, there’s come lock and camera buttons whereas the volume rocker is on the left side. Such arrangement makes it easier for the users to operate the ATIV S better when holding it with one hand.

Although, the ATIV S looks similar to the Galaxy S but its edges are slightly less rounded when compared. Conversely, the back plate itself is made from plastic and feels rather fragile and delicate. The Samsung ATIV S comes with a Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor running at 1.5GHz. Moreover, it bears 1GB of RAM along with 16 or 32GB of storage capacity with the option for MicroSD expansion and a removable 2300 mAh battery.

By taking a different approach towards design of the handset, Samsung has definitely set up a good alternative, as well as manifested that the competition between WP8 manufacturers is now accelerating and it can revolutionize more innovation in Windows Phone 8 designs.

Screen Performance

The ATIV S comes with a big screen that is 720 x 480 pixels, 4.8 inch AMOLED screen bearing some durability thanks to Gorilla Glass 2. Samsung continued to make excellent display with this Windows Phone 8 and despite having the ppi of only 306 the screen performance is above the par.

The responsive touchscreen itself adds to the flowing feel that Windows Phone 8 users expect to have. In addition, the colorful user interface of the Windows Phone 8 looks more brighter and bold with a great deal of contrast between its light and dark colors.

Battery Performance

The Samsung ATIV S bears a 2300 mAh battery that is considered the largest available battery for the smartphone and it is certainly bigger than the battery present in Galaxy S III which is 2100 mAh. Since the screen mostly is the biggest single drain on power source, the inclusion of such a large battery may have to do something with the expansive display of the ATIV S.

On the other hand, we discovered the ATIV S’ battery to perform splendidly without a doubt. The battery lasts a day from the one charge with moderate use that includes web browsing, downloading apps and extensive use of the phone’s camera.

Operating System & User Interface

Let’s talk about the user interface and the operating system the ATIV S comes with. According to our opinion, Windows Phone 8 is a great upgrade and has set up the platform to take over Android and iOS. Even though, ample of the fellow interfaces and layouts remains to make it identifiable, yet there are changes to both the way the software look and work.

The user interface looks more or less similar to the Windows Phone 7 user interface, and there is nothing wrong with it as the interface is very different from anything else on the market. You may feel that the metallic and down to business exterior of the ATIV S does really not fit the cheerful multicolored nature of the modern user interface, but when you look into the color themes then you will realize that you can change the color themes and choose something that look more appropriate to you. The platform does let you considerably adjust its appearance with the intention of making it fit your precise color tastes.

Users can resize the distinctive Live Tiles very easily that allows to vastly increasing the numbers that can be included on the home screen. In addition, if you want Tiles to act like app icon, then you can reduce them to a smaller size. Alternatively, users can also expand the Tiles across the screen in order to show more information on the screen.

People Hub was one of the most popular feature of the previous version of Windows Phone that is now expanded and now includes a ‘Rooms’ feature so that you can group certain contacts together and share messages, photos and calendars events between them. In this way, users can bring together contacts, messages and social updates in one place.

Since Windows Phone has constantly put an emphasis on social networking, therefore, the People Hub has made to work even better as compared to any other comparable iOS or Android.

Further than the user interface of the ATIV S, the software of the device has been entirely reconstructed with the intention that the code on which it runs is more consistent with the desktop and tablet versions of Windows 8.

Camera and Video

The Samsung ATIV S comes with an 8 mega pixel camera that is no exception. The camera can take sharp snaps at a responsive rate. The dedicated camera key on the lower right side of the device makes taking snaps more easier. The large software buttons will instantly visible as soon as you entered in picture taking mode. This will allow you to adjust flash, take video and switch to 1.2 megapixel front facing camera. Images are clear and very detailed suggesting that the camera takes high quality pictures.

Samsung has also included its own Photo Editor app with the ATIV S, giving post-production control over such things as image exposure and brightness while also allowing for Instagram-style effects to be applied.

Moreover, videos being recorded with the ATIV S are also of excellent quality. The device can record videos at their highest in 1080p at 30fps. Videos are smooth and look great.

Connectivity and Multimedia

The NFC support to the platform is introduced by the Windows Phone 8 devices for the first time. And, therefore one should not get surprised to see it crop up here. Despite the fact that undoubtedly the use of this technology has not a disadvantage nevertheless to be extensively adopted by consumers and we doubt its inclusion will be a major selling point for Samsung.

Talking about the multimedia performance of the ATIV S, it is also great and pleasing for the users. The bigger and brighter display is truly great for viewing videos and images. In addition, the Xbox Music App is very easy to use, and offers uncomplicated access to your tracks. The inclusion of the Xbox Music App is surely not exclusive to this device. The audio performance offered by the ATIV S is outstanding and impressively loud.

Disadvantages

Although the Samsung ATIV S looks great and possesses all those features that a Windows Phone 8 should have, but that is not enough to make it the world-beater that we were hoping for. It comes with some disadvantages that users should keep in mind before taking buying decision. For example the App catalog falls short of Android and iOS, and there is no FM and no system wide file manager, furthermore, the device also lacks music player equalizer and voice guided navigation. More importantly, it is way pricier than the Galaxy S III.

Some may frown at the lack of visual changes to the interface, barring the new tile sizes. It's an OS however that defies eye-candy, betting on iOS simplicity and stylishly distinct design. And by the way, Windows Phone may look flat and empty at first, but it's a highly streamlined and adaptable OS.

Should I Buy Samsung ATIV S?

There is so much to love about the ATIV S, although it is not the best smartphone despite the fact that it bears a super AMOLED, large and eye catching screen. Though, it comes with a decent exterior and stable performance, the phone could have been even better. The device lacks in call quality department and it also falls a bit short in the camera as well but on the whole, it is clear that using the ATIV S is sure a joy and it only adds to the compelling experience. So far, the ATIV S is a great Windows Phone 8 that comes with excellent features and a beautiful look that will surely please those who are looking for a WP8 mobile.