But since I did not know the Windows Phone 8 (WP8) operating system, I have made myself knowledgeable on YouTube. I would recommend it to anyone much who does not yet know the operating system to really deal with this before buying exactly WP8. I can recommend the reviews from ATIV S of the two Youtuber Fuchs Phone and tariftipp.de very here. More research on the network also revealed some vulnerabilities of the operating system. I have married me anyway and ordered the Ativ S and using it now for several weeks already. Here is a list of positive and negative points that struck me in practice. [Note from 15.12.2013: I have the list of just some revised / expanded; through my now almost 5 months useful life and the comments were added a few new insights.]
Positive noticed is me following:
- Very good workmanship and great design (particularly, the back's done to me)
- Very easy; very thin
- Superior Super AMOLED HD display (luckily a Pentile matrix and not less durable RGB matrix)
- Changeable and really strong battery
- SD card slot up to 64 GB
- Has NFC
- Very low SAR
- Very strong wireless (where my laptop and tablet to give up, I've been using the Ativ S still - albeit weak reception)
- Almost meter accurate, very strong and fast GPS reception
- Can also GLONASS (= Russian Satellite System)
- Super E-mail management; so adding multiple e-mail accounts, for example, goes. super easy
- WiFi tethering with Android tablet works great
- Gorilla Glass II
- 16 GB of internal memory (you also need, as the apps can not outsource to the SD card)
- Superb onboard Navilösung of Nokia; now even with traffic information in real time!
- What really surprised me: the camera shoots for a smartphone in daylight great pictures and makes surprisingly good videos; very many settings; Hardware button (!) For the shutter
- System very, very fluid to use; no stuttering; I've never had an operating system crash or spontaneous reboots
- The tiles are a great idea; very visually appealing and highly configurable
- Easy to use system; there is hardly hidden settings
- Very good integration with Microsoft Office; PowerPoint, Word, Excel is installed on the Phone
- 7 GB free storage in the Microsoft cloud (where documents can be stored and are thus equal secured [eg the OneNote Doc's])
- The enclosed in-ear headphones are amazingly good; the remote control allows the player to control wonderfully (track up / down, stop, volume, acceptance phone call); Cables are sufficiently long (a total of about 1.20 m)
- That you can like it or not: the graphic design of the operating system as a whole is very clear, cool unemotional, straightforward and far from playful (looks to me, like, designed for financial accountants ...)
But there are also negative, partly really annoying and leaves a shaking their heads wondering what the developers in Redmond have so in the past 3 years (as long as there WP) made all day long, and whether customer requirements where ever play a role
- Contacts / phone numbers can not be saved on the SIM card (backup only through Outlook in the cloud possible)
- WP8 forces the user, its data (telephone contacts with all the stored data, all calendar entries etc) in the Microsoft cloud through Microsoft Outlook account to synchronize; This is mandatory and can not be deselected; Here I would have liked - as possible with Android - the desired option to save this data locally only on the phone; So you should have a lot of trust in data protection for Microsoft, although their privacy policies unfortunately quite lax (ie open to all) formulated
- Maximum screen brightness (239 cd / m2) is too low compared to supposedly LCD screens; Yes, the AMOLED's are due to design in the max. Brightness inferior, but enough for me the brightness of the Ativ S and even direct sunlight completely from
(!) - Brightness of the screen can be adjusted only in three steps: Low Medium High (a brightness slider as Android knows the system does not)
- The brightness can not be adjusted so easy times; Therefore one must muddle through the menu every time
- Automatic display brightness control not working satisfactorily
- Believe it or not, but there is no volume profiles! Music playback, video playback, ringtone, SMS tone and so on always have all the same volume and can not be adjusted individually different. If you look, for example, a video due to the low fundamental tone with the highest volume, then then you can also get on a call the ringtone in the highest volume served. Class, if you eg. In this way looks a video with headphones on the train and is being called. Is also definitely not for heart attack patients ;-)
- When a call can ring and vibrate at the same time the Ativ. But it does not vibrate continuously, but only every 15 seconds! If the ringtone to silent, you can feel a phone mostly by the vibration - not as the Ativ: here it really vibrates just during the call too rare (on average only 2x per call) bad; Vibration is only set, the Ativ vibrates but consistently
- No equalizer function for (all) music player (!)
- Music Player unfortunately under construction illogical and rudimentary; no comparison with the Android players; . for example you can just jump in the song to a specific location of the song by holding the fast-forward button is pressed correspondingly long; .. So you want, for example, in a Konzerttonmitschnitt from 2:00 Min jump to min 67:00, pressing this button correspondingly long; just click on Android in time treadmill to the desired location and voila! When playing video in WP8's the way goes comically by clicking on the timeline.
- Which is in itself very good Internet Explorer 10 (and the other, a few alternative browser) save any form data, passwords or passwords (extremely annoying)
- WP8 can not flash videos play (not so bad, is always on Flash "die"); with Flash videos could very well rated app "Flash videos" help for 4.99
- Irrespective of Flash: In Internet Explorer, there is at WP general problems playing videos / streams (messages such as: "It is a common error occurred", "Your browser is out of date" or "can not be played on your device", etc); so often videos in www (just a few examples: rtl.de, zdf.de, n-tv.de and sat1.de) not be played on the phone, regardless of whether "mobile version" or "desktop version" is set in the browser is; Main cause is here but let's not WP8 (that may indeed HTML5), but it is the respective site operators, although customize their pages to Android and iOS, but failed to do so (because of the small market share ??) for WP8 or not fully in HTML5 change; which will improve with time but
- What I can not explain: some, actually for WP8 existing app's, can not be installed on the Ativ S; so eg. the important "ZDFmediathek" and "Zattoo"
- In principle can only be navigated back in the phone, but not before
- No FM radio (hardware technology in the Ativ S is not installed by Samsung)
- No NotificationCenter
- No notification LED; even those such as Apps. NoLED does not exist for Windows
- Data Management quasi non-existent; no data manager (on data stored on the SD card of the user from the mobile phone can not access, he can not even see all) more in the comments
- Apps can not be moved to SD
- No Task Manager (so what's going on on the phone to processes, remains completely hidden)
- Applications can not be stopped
- The right soft button is permanently assigned to the search engine Bing and can not also be changed (such as Google or Bing instead assign a completely different function is not possible)
- Charging is switched off is not possible (phone always turns on when the charger cable is plugged in)
- SMS can only be written with a QWERTY keyboard; the usual input via numeric keypad and T9 dictionary is not possible
- Swype not possible
- SMS can not be sent at
- No USB Tethering
- No Bluetooth tethering
- Only Bluetooth 3.1; (Yet) a power-efficient Bluetooth 4.0
- The info bar from with time, battery status, wireless on / off, traffic, etc. will not be permanently displayed at the top
- The default calendar has not Week; also visually appealing, unfortunately not at all
- Files with the unknown for the WP8 system extensions (and there are some), can not be downloaded or sent (for example, as an email attachment)
- The maximum volume of the speaker during a call and when freehand calls could be slightly higher (see also the comments)
- WP8 does not count the consumed call minutes / SMS; problematic for those who can not see online from his provider its units consumed (more on this in the comments)
(If need be must use a mini SIM cut) SIM card can be inserted only in the micro-SIM format -
- Could be the Ativ S blamed nor that it can no LTE, but personally I can live very well with the fast HSDPA + and the next 2 years
The most noted disadvantages here I knew before buying; some have me but then (negative) surprise. Some of the shortcomings highlighted annoy one in practice but sometimes formidable; but again, everyone sure looks different. I often wonder why such essential features are missing, for example, even with older operating systems, it is more than 10 years.
I have a mobile phone but still not returned. Because of the many positive aspects mentioned above, I can live quite well with the restrictions after all. The reference to the price does the rest. In addition, over the next 6 months, two large WP8 updates are at. So just the GDR3 update was rolled out and then follows the latest in the 2nd quarter 2014 the WP in Version 8.1. Surely so many criticisms are resolved. Anyone interested should googling times thereafter. What have I seen such, really gives us hope the way Microsoft is working at present on a Siri counterpart for WP and Xbox called Cortana. Perhaps also comes with WP 8.1. So you have the opportunity to get updates in WP8 for a long time. I recently on ZDNet (Article: "Only five Samsung devices definitely get Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie") already read that example for the Samsung Galaxy Express, Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini and Samsung S2 Plus (all current and expensive smartphones) the Android version 4 which is to be the last.
I would like to mention at this point a few essential system apps that I installed to compensate for the deficits in the operating system somewhat:
- Battery (shows the battery level in% on last precise)
- CalendarPro Free (Week!)
- Quick Settings (a blessing !!!)
Of course I have installed more apps, but this one I think is essential.
You should know exactly what you're getting with this OS so. Microsoft stops here just the system very closed. For the flow in the operation, the battery consumption and for the safety certainly helpful. However, it makes this seclusion the app developers impossible to iron out the weaknesses of the system with corresponding apps, just because of missing access on the operating system. And yes, it's true: The selection of apps for WP8 is not as extensively as in Android or iOS. I've even seen the Top100 of Android Apps. Almost all apps that I need, I find the Windows Store. This is true but certainly not for all and any potential buyer should definitely clarify for themselves in advance whether its Essentials are actually available. Especially with the current top games it looks mau; since only very basic needs are satisfied. But as the market share of WP slowly rise (now world almost 9%; Android has 76%), are the apps certainly numerous.
The mobile phone division of Nokia has indeed now Microsoft acquired. I also cherish the hope that many special Nokia Apps (Nokia is there much more industrious than Samsung) will soon be available for the Ativ. One can only hope that Samsung does not withdraw from the WP8 development due to the Microsoft-Nokia Connection. HTC will probably develop no further Windows phones more. So stay still Nokia, Samsung and Huawei. By the way, in America recently the sister model of the Ativ S (only via a network operator). It is Samsung Ativ S Neo and is actually the same phone, but with LTE (similar to S3 and S3 LTE) and on the back of the design has been changed slightly. When and if it comes to Germany, is unclear. But for me a character that seems to stick to WP Samsung.
Another note for those who do not want to buy the device from Amazon, because it may be a few euros less at other merchants. Microsoft is so generous and pays since the beginning of 2013 (only) for devices from USA, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, Great Britain, Italy and even Germany to Nokia royalties for each national map navigation (= in Germany Liechtenstein + DACH). So you have the best available on the market pure onboard Navilösung for lukewarm and it also falls in navigating abroad no data connection fees. The global map navigation costs uniquely 15.49 - a more than fair price, especially since several follow in free updates. As I said, the phone has to be produced for the above mentioned countries. If you buy elsewhere, then see to it that there is really no EU goods. "EU-Ware" is cheaper, so please ask the dealer before ordering. With Amazon guarantees there a German unit. Who, for example. Somewhere caught a Polish unit, then have to pay for the Liechtenstein + DACH Maps Navigation, precisely because only the buyer of the above countries retail versions of Microsoft are subsidized.
Which retail version then really you have, incidentally, can be ascertained as follows:
1. Type 634 # in the normal telephone keypad ##
2. Wait ...
3. type 1234 # * # in the dialog menu
4. Under Default CSC DBT (= German version) should then stop.
Note: The term "applications" is now through this procedure in the Ativ S, the app "Diagnosis" added. This can be [one must not] now back to normal uninstall (finger for 3 seconds on "Diagnosis" can ... Uninstall)
Who ordered the phone, was soon the update (is easy via WLAN) import. Thus, for the GDR2 update, which includes, among others Data Sense. So you can see how much data traffic you have already consumed in a freely adjustable period very quickly. Beautiful facility, if the contract for example, only 500 MB or 1 GB free unthrottled hergibt month. Works exactly in practice on MB's. But for the remark that you absolutely have to make a factory reset after the update, otherwise Data Sense does not appear in the list of applications. Warning: All data will be deleted! But unfortunately just start only new is useless in this case.
Another note, which relates to the battery. Those who want to buy a spare or replacement battery, should take the possible original battery's from Samsung, as the NFC chip (Samsung usual) is installed directly on battery. The third-party offer the battery usually on without the NFC chip. Unfortunately, this silent most traders often. Who but NFC (yet) uses, can also use these third-party batteries. The battery lasts way, with me at moderate use 1.5 to max. 2 days and is charged in about 3 h from 0 to 100%.
So as a conclusion it must be noted that the Samsung Ativ S is a mobile phone with an unbeatable price-performance ratio. With small drawbacks, one can say that one quasi obtains a Galaxy S3 with Windows operating system. On the hardware side (display, camera, processor, GPS, WiFi, built-in memory, replaceable battery, SD slot) convinced the cell phone in every aspect. For this price there is absolutely nothing like it on the market. The strengths of Windows Phone 8 lie mainly in its simple, clear and liquid handling, high security and integration into the Windows world. One thus obtains a very reliable system. Should forget even the powerful and free onboard (!) Navigation solution.
The weaknesses in the operating system to cope in my opinion, especially improvement in the Forum WP8.1 update is already in sight. However, if Windows Phone 8 does not know, should be before buying one with the operating system deal (Youtube, the Windows Store check for needed apps, note above negative points, equipment, for example. Try the stupid market, etc.).
Well, the award of the star is indeed quite striking and very meaningful. But I would deduct a star here because of the weaknesses in the operating system, the lack of FM radio and the lack of notification LED.
If you can live with the above described weaknesses in the operating system receives a beautifully-designed and reliable and powerful smartphone, which almost sensational price can forgive all the weaknesses.
Update 09/21/2013
I've just been informed by a Licensees with a made for Portugal Ativ S that you received the Li + DACH Maps Navigation for free. Whether a user thus gets the subsidized Map navigation or not, Microsoft is not checked, therefore the basis of the retail version, but based on the SIM card: German mobile network -> Li + DACH Navi for free. This is of course for the buyer is the better solution. One can also draw on "EU-Ware" So in this regard.
For most Nokia Lumia's even the global map navigation is free. Maybe come so by buying Nokia by Microsoft, the Ativ S users sometime to enjoy the free, global navigation. But again: 15.49 are for the global maps really more than reasonable ...
Update 24/09/2013
Here's a clarifying note to navigation. I had not shown so clearly in the review. In addition, a user had just addressed me in the comments on this ambiguity.
There is the application called Maps Here in the Windows Store. Quote Nokia:
HERE Maps is a mapping application that displays your current location and interesting places in your area. HERE Maps also provides route information to plan a route to distant targets.
This application is fully and freely available for all WP smartphones. This gives the offline maps for 95 countries (individually selectable). So you can plan for example. Travel. This goes by entering start and end point: Then you can track the itinerary on the map and change it if necessary, etc. In addition we obtain the corresponding driving instructions in the form of arrows, meter information, etc. This is known perhaps more of the ADAC travel route planning service. Additionally you'll get info's for travel (eg. Giving shopping centers). In the maps you can zoom and so see everything exactly. Important: You can be carried out offline also spot a pedestrian navigation. A car navigation can be found here but not the final destination, even on site.
This full-fledged car navigation is obtained with the application available in the Windows Store called Here Drive. For this purpose I have described above advantages for the subsidized countries now apply. As a German mobile phone users can thus now be piloting free navitechnisch by car by Liechtenstein and roof. If you want to this full-fledged car navigation for 95 countries worldwide, you have available for purchase for 15.49 in the Windows Store application Here Drive + (Here DrivePLUS).
In short: With Maps Here you can indeed download global maps on his cell phone, but can not let navigate spoke technically GPS / GLONASS use by car. This full-fledged car navigation (incl. Pedestrian navigation) with all the "gimmicks" of a modern Navis's so you only get with Here Drive (Li + DACH; free) (worldwide; 15,49) or Here Drive +.
