And so it begins... The SIM-free Samsung i8910 HD arrives in the UK

slitchfield · #1 23-07-2009, 02:29 PM

After months of delay, the 'Ambassador' programme for the Samsung i8910 HD (used to be called the Omnia HD) has kicked off, with the production devices now delivered to contacts across the world. This means that SIM-free, unlocked phones are now in English reviewer hands for the first time. See below for some first impressions and, most importantly, sample HD video footage from the i8910 HD's camera.

Read on in the full article.

yade · #2 23-07-2009, 02:50 PM

Steve, have they re-enabled the pre-focus in video mode?

#3 23-07-2009, 02:50 PM

That's an Italian one. People in the UK have been importing those for donkey's years!

junchao8 · #4 23-07-2009, 03:13 PM

That's a nice change.

It's so silly how a network are allowed to get exclusive on such handset, cos when they do, they charge extortionate prices.
I like the phone, but if Samsung really intended to actually sell them in mass, the price should be alot more affordable.

Orange currently offers this free, only to charge £40 per month on 24 month contract, making the cost of ownership rocket towards a thousand quid; by contrast an iPhone 3Gs on contract looks like a bargain. I was told by Orange stuff today that the handset itself costs over £700, seriously?!? this is a good phone with exceptional hardware, but the software and prices are far from reasonable.

#5 23-07-2009, 03:22 PM

Is the FM Transmitter enabled?

rleader · #6 23-07-2009, 03:37 PM

as I write (to counter previous post):
at Orange UK, choose the i8910, new customer, as pay monthly, then ask to 'Find a Plan' and you will see that there is a show 12 month contracts option in brackets after the 18/24 default options. Then, scroll down, and the handset is FREE with Dolphin 45 or Racoon 45 options. Online, the Total Cost of Ownership is thus 12x 42.09 = 505.08 gbp (3.99 delivery)
These tariffs may not suit your usage, E&OE. There are probably better deals somewhere... I don't work for Orange, but no-one seems to be picking up that Orange, online only, still seem to offer these 12 month contracts!!! Perhaps this is of interest to UK consumers...
NB Orange also do free 8mbps/10Gb capped for new customers, so if you are on another ISP, you might consider jumping and saving more (I did 2 months ago and have had no problems at all, so far so good).
Cheers!
of course, I am not endorsing the AWFUL firmware shipped with the Orange handsets to date... I debranded 2 weeks ago (again, warranty implication BEWARE) and have had no problems and also IG2 updated from Italy (Samsung official) - see the vibrant AAS i8910 forum for more details...

rvirga · #7 23-07-2009, 03:38 PM

I think Unregistered is right. That power adapter doesn't look British to me...
Well, if it's the Italian one, you got lucky. Currently the Italian i8910 has the best firmware support. As you have seen, there's already an update available, and another is coming sometime in the next few weeks.

Quote:

I was told by Orange stuff today that the handset itself costs over £700, seriously?!?

Here in Italy, it sells for around €475 (incl. 20% VAT). For comparison, the unbranded N97 is €600, and the 16GB iPhone 3gs is €630. My advice to you would be to find an Italian online store which delivers to the UK. I believe there are several.

mCrem · #8 23-07-2009, 03:42 PM

does anyone know where I can find a tv out cable for my hd? my italian unit came without it..

#9 23-07-2009, 03:47 PM

too bad the audio quality is still very poor. the same 8kbzp amr. in this case, the n86 still is a better choice. a very very bad thing to do to a phone that can record video in hd format.

#10 23-07-2009, 03:47 PM

Use a Nokia one - the one from my N95 works with my i8910.

When's Steve going to edit this article? It's clear that this isn't the first time an IMPORTED i8910 has landed in the hands of an English reviewer in the UK.

mCrem · #11 23-07-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Use a Nokia one - the one from my N95 works with my i8910.

the last nokia I had was a 6630 xD

Quote:

too bad the audio quality is still very poor. the same 8kbzp amr. in this case, the n86 still is a better choice. a very very bad thing to do to a phone that can record video in hd format.

are you serious? with the update it's 96kbps AAC which sounds very good!

rleader · #12 23-07-2009, 03:49 PM

Hi - just thought I'd mention for anyone downloading the above .mp4 - Steve has, as he mentions, encoded with the xxIF7 firmware, which uses a low quality AMR audio codec. The xxIG2 update (if you debrand, or Orange UK provide for this now (I don't know)) encodes using an AAC audio codec at 720p, which makes life a little bit easier. I found to quickly play the above file with Video & Audio, use Quicktime!

#13 23-07-2009, 03:50 PM

on my ccomputer,windows seven, windows media player withk-lite codec pack and also on vlc, there is no audio output =))
samsung is really throwing their phone to the garbage.

) very very stupid thing to do. use a non-standard audio codec. a really non-standard.

mCrem · #14 23-07-2009, 03:51 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4j4FgGXLLo

here's a video I took on the new ig2 firmware at 5 am

and some more:
http://samsungi8910omnia.com/hd-720p...d-ig2-daytime/

edit, again the audio works fine on any program with the new firmware!!!