Product Listing

Samsung Wave S8500 - An Ocean of Possibilities

By Seow Tein Hee - 23 Aug 2010
Launch SRP: S$698

Conclusion

Spreading the Wave

Why would anyone choose the Samsung Wave, over the more common Apple iPhone 4 or the flood of Google Android devices? If you are looking for a unique experience, or feeling experimental with all things new and fresh, it's easy to see why you would opt for the Wave and its new bada OS.

As much as touch screen interfaces have become the norm, the Wave doesn't skimp on the hardware buttons, leaving us with those that really matter, such as the call/end, lock and camera buttons. Thanks to this aspect, we didn't find ourselves fumbling with the controls and had an easier time with all the basic features of the Wave.

In our labs, we've seen a combination of the Wave's 1GHz processor and the intuitive TouchWiz 3.0 at work, and it did impress us with its speed and execution of multi-tasking with no foreseeable lags. Truth is, speed is an essential consideration for any mobile device, and it goes beyond just the device, but also to the user experience and the learning curve it entails. TouchWiz 3.0 won't be a stranger to those who have been on the Samsung smartphone camp, but neither will it be unfamiliar to the newcomers with its simple approach.

When a phone is no longer purely a communications device, we tend to place a stronger emphasis on its additional features, such as is multimedia capabilities. We admit that a 3.3-inch screen might not be a comfortable size for the multimedia enthusiasts, but it duly makes up for it with the rich colors and clarity thanks to the Super AMOLED screen. Its audio capability was average at best, but it did appease our eyes with the sharpness of its 5-megapixel camera. And if you're into the high definition scene, the 720p video recording capabilities should keep you occupied.

With Apple's iOS 4 (and the iPhone 4) and Google's Android (accompanied by a variety of devices) dominating the market, will Samsung's bada OS be able to catch the consumers' attention?

The significance of this new Samsung phone goes beyond its status as a usual smartphone. While the market is dominated by Apple's iOS and Google's Android, Samsung is taking a huge leap of faith with its bada OS. Its intention to create a mobile ecosystem under their wings and opening up doors to both consumers and developers alike could be the start of a new mobile movement. Nonetheless, it is still too early to tell of the success of this Samsung project.

What should be of importance to consumers is the retail pricing of this bada smartphone, which is priced at S$698. At this price point, we find its offerings more than reasonable. For mobile phone users wanting to try something new and aren't tied down to any particular app commitments or needs, Samsung's new Wave is a breath of fresh air. Furthermore, when you factor in its good blend of hardware features, form factor and performance, the Samsung Wave is indeed a good phone for your consideration. We hope the bada OS flourishes along with the Samsung apps store in time to come to give more choice and competition in the market and ensure that the Wave and its successors have a good fighting chance.

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8.5
  • Design 8
  • Features 8
  • User-Friendliness 8
  • Performance 8.5
  • Value 9
The Good
Slim and compact
Good screen clarity from Super AMOLED
Intuitive user interface
The Bad
Limited 3.3-inch screen size
Battery life could have been better
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