Samsung ATIV Odyssey

“Without the marketing budget of its Android siblings, the Samsung Ativ Odyssey clearly has a difficult task ahead of itself. Thankfully for its maker, unlike in the case of its rivals from Nokia, the fate of the company does not depend on its market success.”

“Choosing a great smartphone on Verizon for just $50 used to be a daunting challenge. The arrival of the $49.99 Samsung Ativ Odyssey, which serves up all the modern mobile features Microsoft can muster, certainly makes the task easier. It's affordable, handles its software with agility, and connects to a large Xbox games and music library. Unfortunately the Ativ Odyssey's other attributes don't have as much allure. The phone's cheap plastic construction and staid oval-shaped design don't get the blood pumping, even for die-hard Samsung fans. If you really are wedded to the idea of a Windows Phone handset on Verizon and have just $50 in your pocket, then the Ativ is no-brainer. Otherwise I suggest going with the $49.99 Motorola Droid Razr M which runs Android (now updated to Jelly Bean) in a more attractive and compact chassis and at the same price. If you're willing to spend $50 more, the HTC 8X provides Windows Phone 8 but with a much better camera that's packed into a premium, more attractive body.”

“Samsung is no doubt embarking on an odyssey with this venture, which should be a refreshing thing to see for Big Red’s customers. Attached with a very easy-on-the-wallet price point of $49.99 with a 2-year agreement, there’s plenty of things to like about the Samsung ATIV Odyssey – especially when it performs rather well in pretty much all categories. Despite that, though, we have to say that it doesn’t quite pack the same level of value seen with the Nokia Lumia 822’s set of exclusive apps. Knowing that, the compromise made here with the ATIV Odyssey is the fact that it’s not benefitting in any way with the platform experience over its main rival in the Nokia Lumia 822 – even more when they’re both priced the same.”

“Samsung might not be Microsoft’s favorite son in the Windows Phone 8 realm, but it’s managed to slide in on the budget level with a phone that is desirable without draining the wallet, just like Nokia. Design-wise, the ATIV Odyssey is more streamlined and attractive than the budget 800 series Lumias. Specs-wise, the Lumias have a few more powerful elements. But, when taken as a whole, they’re about on the same level. What does that mean for you WP8-loving Verizon Wireless customers out there trying to decide between the Odyssey and the Nokia Lumia 822 (nearly identical to the 820)? It means the choice will come down to some little things: how each phone feels in the hand, whether you prefer Nokia’s included apps more, if a 0.3-inch difference in screen size is a big deal, and price.”