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Samsung INNOV8 - A Pictorial Review

By Seow Tein Hee - 8 Oct 2008

Conclusion

Closing Shutters

Being the first commercially available 8-megapixel camera phone, the Samsung INNOV8 has gotten a few things right, not only on the imaging front, but also its multimedia and productivity delivery. For many, convergence is of utmost importance, and the INNOV8 manages to return high quality images with vivid colors together with ample features to enhance your images such as Blink Detection and Image Stabilizer. Nonetheless, there is still the question of whether such convergent devices are able to match up to dedicated compact digital cameras. Our take on this? It probably won't be too soon, as technology is always evolving at an exponential rate such that when one ups the ante, the other party goes a step further.

Oh the hardware front, the INNOV8 does have its hits (and misses). For one, its optical mouse was the oddball that made navigation a slightly confounding affair. Truth be told, you might be better off using the standard navigation keypad to make things easier on your fingers. The numeric keypad, on the other hand, came with excellent tactile feedback, and was quick and accurate, to say the least. This is a stark contrast to the recently launched Nokia N96 that came with an awkward and cramped keypad.

Putting its optical mouse issue aside, the INNOV8's deceptively flat looking numeric keypad gave us a faster and more accurate text messages as compared to the Nokia N96.

It is undeniable that the INNOV8 is able to perform its duties well, and even more so with its multimedia enhancements within. We did appreciate its audio clarity as enhanced by its DNSe 2.0 standard, but as mentioned, this can only be fully enjoyed with earphones and not via the INNOV8's integrated stereo speakers. Video playback, on the other hand, came with a few kinks. True, there's an added incentive for users with the inclusion of the DivX format into the S60 device, but the prerequisite, i.e. a long conversion process via the DivX Mobile Converter, should dampen the INNOV8's appeal in the visual department.

What we will say is this: Samsung hasn't been stingy with the features on the INNOV8 with its slew of wireless connectivity and bundled applications such as Fring, full versions of Asphalt 4 and FIFA 08. With battery longevity rated at slightly more than a day with its 1200mAH battery, the Samsung INNOV8 is as good as it gets for a high-end Symbian S60 device, and what makes the deal even sweeter, is its recommended retail price of S$1098.

For the Symbian S60 enthusiast, will it be the Samsung INNOV8 or the Nokia N96 that wins your heart? You'll find the answer when you consider the following differences between both devices: battery capacity, camera specifications and more importantly, the price tag for each device.

But the story is far from over. The Samsung INNOV8 is the first of many 8-megapixel camera phones to come, and in the very near future, you'll be looking at its other 8-megapixel device, the Samsung M8800 Pixon.

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