Samsung was rumored to be making its return to Windows Phone this month, following an early leaked image, and a possible specification, revealing the phone will match the most recent, and high-end, Nokia Lumia phones.
Updated on 04-04-2014 by Andy: Samsung and Verizon have announced the Ativ SE. All the official information has been added in below.
The Ativ SE represents the first Samsung device to make use of the new Windows Phone GDR3 hardware enhancements, meaning the phone can compete with the best Nokia currently has to offer. The phone has a 5-inch AMOLED touchscreen on the front, with a 1080p resolution, and inside the device is the trusty Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor along with 2GB of RAM.
Owners will get to fill 16GB of internal storage space, plus add in a MicroSD card up to 64GB in size. For taking pictures, you’ll find a 13-megapixel camera on the rear, and a 2-megapixel lens above the screen on the front. The Ativ SE is a Verizon exclusive, and will connect to its 4G LTE network, plus it’s listed as a “Global Ready” device to be used abroad too.
Other features include Bluetooth 3.0, a 2,600mAh battery for around 20 hours talktime, plus the ability to control your TV using an infrared sensor and Samsung’s WatchON app. The device runs Windows Phone 8, but not Windows Phone 8.1, which was revealed during Microsoft’s Build 2014 conference earlier this week. However, like all existing Windows Phone 8 hardware, the new version will be made available as an update.
The design is identical to the leaked images of the phone, complete with Verizon branding on the front, a Windows logo on the home key, and a brushed metal effect rear cover. Overall, the Ativ SE is reminiscent of the Galaxy S4. Verizon will be charging $600 for an Ativ SE without a contract, or if you sign-up for two years, it’ll cost you $200. There is also a limited time offer where if you buy one, you’ll get another phone for free, provided a second two-year contract is signed.
Verizon has the Ativ SE ready to pre-order now, and states it’ll ship by April 12. It sits alongside the Nokia Lumia Icon in Verizon’s range, a phone we called the best Windows Phone ever made, and gave it a great score in our review. Will Samsung’s return to Microsoft’s OS be equally as impressive? We’re looking forward to testing this one out.
Article originally published on 04-02-2014
