Samsung ATIV S Pro Reviews

Design-wise, the Samsung ATIV S looks like a smaller version of the Galaxy Note 2 with Windows Phone 8 inside. Samsung designed a few elements slightly differently, probably to differentiate the ATIV S from its larger Android-powered sibling, however it really feels like owning a Galaxy-series device, in fact, the specifications are very similar to the Galaxy S3 (4.8” 720p Super AMOLED display / Snapdragon S4). The Korean manufacturer is probably trying to ride on the success of its flagship product’s branding to gain more market share with its Windows Phone 8 alter ego. Additionally, it surely cost-efficient to design several similar chassis than reinventing the wheel each time. Personally, I would rather see Samsung coming up with a very different look and feel for its Windows Phone 8 devices. The Microsoft-powered lineup deserves a strong concept that can match the visual quality of the Lumia Series to better complement the unique (Metro) software design style. The ATIV S features a great build-quality in a lightweight chassis and delivers extensive battery life (including with Location ON) and powerful performance. Unless you are attracted by the state-of-the art camera and the unique minimalist design of the Lumia 920 (minus the weight), the Samsung ATIV S is certainly the best overall Windows Phone 8 to date.

Admittedly I was expecting a lot worse from Samsung’s Ativ S going into this review and I am pleasantly surprised by the handset. Although it’s plasticy and has a cheesy faux aluminum effect, it works well in practice. The device is very comfortable thanks to the lightweight and slim build, despite the large display. I don’t typically like large screens on a smartphone, but Samsung has the right mix here that makes me want to use this as my daily smartphone. I honestly wasn’t expecting to say that given that I switch between an 8X and iPhone 5 for my daily smartphone use. There’s some drawbacks to Samsung’s offering, some of which are out of the company’s control. Microsoft still needs to address notification support in Windows Phone 8 and perhaps add some additional customization features. However, Samsung needs to pay more attention to its Windows Phone apps. They’re basic and there’s a clear opportunity to do a whole lot more here, especially given the API and app model improvements in Windows Phone 8. I’d happily recommend the Ativ S over the Lumia 920 if it had the same level of commitment as Nokia’s device. The software on Nokia’s Lumia range of Windows Phones is a lot more impressive than what HTC or Samsung offer, with apps like Nokia Maps, Cinemagraph, and Nokia Drive. However, the Finnish firm is relying on Windows Phone to pull it through tough times and you can hardly blame Samsung and other OEMs if they’re a little hesitant to invest time in building software for Windows Phone. I’m still searching for my perfect Windows Phone and I’m still waiting for the software improvements, games, and apps that will allow me to switch and truly feel like I’m getting an experience that rivals iOS or Android. Microsoft is balancing out the controlled ecosystem of iOS against the customization of Android and it’s doing it slowly.

Taking the whole Windows Phone landscape into consideration, it’s easy to see why some would be disappointed in this device, from an aesthetic perspective. The company has succeeded in building a nicer-looking smartphone than much of its competition … from last year. In 2012, though, the ATIV S’s design displays a singular lack of boldness when compared with its more bombastic counterparts from HTC and Nokia. Only part of that is color: the issue extends further, to concept. The squared-off HTC Windows Phones resemble the live tiles that they encase. Nokia’s Lumia line comprises uniquely built devices with enhanced features. Next to competition like this, the ATIV S comes off almost milquetoast by comparison. But let’s leave all that behind and play the part of the average consumer. If you don’t care about where the phone fits in the landscape, and you’re just interested in a great Windows Phone experience, the ATIV S fits the bill, and then some. The display is the biggest available on the platform, and it’s gorgeous. The casing is conservative, but beautiful in an understated way. And in case we haven’t made it clear: the removable battery and expandable memory card slot put this phone in a class by itself. Samsung’s thin custom app selection and the device’s unremarkable audio quality might give some buyers pause, but ultimately the ATIV S is a great Windows Phone that we don’t hesitate to recommend.

With this review unit it becomes evident once more that Samsung knows its business and sold the most smartphones in 2012 not without reason. After the success of the Galaxy Note it was clear which strategy the South Korean company pursued - unrivaled large displays. The ATIV S also takes the role as display giant for the high-end Windows Phone 8 devices. Differentiation is necessary when the rest of the hardware is similar (in form of the SoC). The close orientation to the latest best seller Galaxy S3 is logical and you could think that only the operating system was changed. Build quality and the low weight are on the same high level. Further similarities are features (wireless modules, camera sensors) as well as the location of the ports. Just like the HTC 8X and the Lumia 920 this device offers sufficient performance. We could not determine performance problems at any time. The ATIV S is slightly better when it comes to the temperatures and partly with the battery runtime as well - the energy consumption is lower, the battery larger. The retail price is identical for the ATIV S and the HTC 8X (549 Euros). The Nokia Lumia 920 is still more expensive (649 Euros) but offers 32 GB storage in return. All in all the Samsung ATIV S only has few points of criticism. If you know and like the Galaxy S3 but are bored by Android you should definitely have a closer look at the Windows sibling. The operating system has high potential (as described with the HTC 8X), it now depends on Microsoft and the app developers to enhance experience.

So, the Omnia lineup is no more. To match Microsoft's profound OS overhaul, Samsung chose to start with a clean slate. The Ativ line is the new home of Samsung's WP devices and it has room for smartphones, tablets and tablet PCs. Windows is now a consistent cross-device platform and OEMs are taking note. Now, Ativ as in "Vita" read backwards is a name perhaps better suited for a new drug. It doesn't have the familiarity of Nokia Lumia or the cheek of HTC Windows Phone 8. But Samsung made sure its Ativ S can match and even beat the rival flagships. On the inside, they're all the same, but Windows Phone is a lot more powerful than you may suspect. The OS is no longer tied by self-inflicted limitations and OEMs are enjoying life off the leash. HD screens, dual-core processors (for the time being), SD card slots, NFC, USB mass storage - new possibilities have opened up.

When it's all said and done, it's extremely difficult to name one of these handsets a definite winner. Like in many other times when we've compared two smartphones, it'll all depend on your personal preferences, but it is exactly here where we come in. Let's just say that if you happen to be a bit more sensitive towards different materials, there's a good chance that you might prefer the ATIV S's smooth and glossy plastic housing as opposed to the 8X's soft-touch one, which can house dust and other unpleasant stuff. Also, if you are a really heavy multimedia user who watches a lot of video on their phone, it is once again the ATIV S that seems to be the more appropriate option, thanks to its 4.8” screen. On the other hand, call and screen quality seem to be the areas where the Windows Phone 8X excels. So, which of these components should be considered most important? Well, this is where you come in.

There's a lot to love in the ATIV S. It's not the perfect smartphone, but it has a large and eye-catching Super AMOLED screen, as well as decent exterior and stable performance. It may not be particularly pretty, but it sure does stand out from the rest of the WP8 offerings. Where it falls a bit short is the camera and call quality departments, but if this isn't such a big issue for you, we believe you won't regret investing in the ATIV S. Overall, it's clear that there's still a lot of work to be done on Windows Phone 8, but the platform is beginning to assume a quite competitive stance. Using it is definitely a joy, and the ATIV S is only contributing to this compelling experience. It's a feature-packed smartphone for heavy users, which can easily go toe-to-toe with other top-shelf smartphones in almost all areas, except for the app catalog.

The Samsung ATIV S will be one of the first smartphones to run Microsoft's new mobile OS, Windows Phone 8. It features a large 4.8in super AMOLED HD screen, has an 8-megapixel camera and boasts an aluminium chassis.