Samsung Omnia 7 i8700

Despite Microsoft’s meticulous design and feature protocol, the first glut of Window Phone 7 handsets each have their own individual talents. The HTC HD7’s monster screen is geared for video watching, the 8MP-touting HTC Mozart is the snapper’s choice while the LG Optimus 7 sports some inventive apps. Finally, the Samsung Omnia 7 stands out from its stablemates with a sizeable, 4in retina-popping AMOLED screen.

Sleek at 11mm, weighing 138g and flaunting a durable metal rear battery cover, this Samsung smartie sets a nice balance between quality heft and pocket-friendly poundage. Its rigid lines are also a welcome counterpoint to its curvier WP7 rivals, although the sliding USB port flap cheapens the build quality while the gently concaved home button is outrageously aped from the iPhone.

Super screen
Even with the same 480x800 pixel resolution as the HD7, the Omnia 7’s 4in Super AMOLED screen is far superior. OK, it doesn’t boast the detail of the Apple iPhone 4’s display but its rich and vivid colouring is striking. Also, with no backlight technology it saves on the battery, too. Use the phone features liberally and it might even work into the next day.

The more we use the Windows Phone 7 interface, the more we like it. It plays out the same across all WP7 smartphones with no room for the manufacturer’s to create their own skins. But at least you know what you’re getting, and its large tiled customisable start screen and centralised hubs are intuitive and lucid to use.

Review continues after the break...