Samsung’s Windows Phone OS based smartphone was on the cards for some time now and it quietly appeared on Verizon, a US based Carrier’s, website dubbed as Samsung Ativ SE. The phone packs high end hardware and has been priced at $599.99 (roughly Rs. 35,900) off-contract, but it won’t run on latest Windows Phone 8.1.
The hardware is very good especially for Windows Phone powered device. You will get a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor backed with 2GB of RAM. If 16 GB of internal storage won’t suffice for you, you can use MicroSD expansion up to 64 GB.
As expected Samsung has used a Super AMOLED display 5 inches in size with 1080p full HD resolution. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla glass 3 which makes it extremely resistant to physical abuse.
At the back you get a 13 MP shooter with LED flash capable of full HD video recording and aided by a 2 MP front shooter for full HD 1080p video calling. Battery capacity is 2600 mAh and Samsung claims 20 days and 20 hours of standby time.
Samsung Ativ SE is 8.3 mm thick and weighs only 135 grams. You will Microsoft Office Hub pre installed on the device along with some other Samsung apps, but lack of Windows Phone 8.1 and features like Cortana, Action center, etc which come might be a deal breaker.
Other Lumia phones will definitely update to Windows Phone 8.1 in next few months, but it might take several months before we might see Windows Phone 8.1 update on this phone. Galaxy S4 like Ativ SE is a good news for Windows Phone eco system and with Windows Phone 8.1 going free for 9 inch or lesser display devices, we can expect to see lot more of Windows phone devices very soon. You can buy one for $200 dollar on a 2 year contract and Verizon will offer another one for free.
Key Specs
| Model | Samsung Ativ SE |
| Display | 5 Inch Full HD |
| Processor | 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 Quad Core |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB / 32 GB, Expandable to 128 GB |
| OS | Windows Phone 8 |
| Cameras | 13 MP/ 2 MP |
| Battery | 2600 mAh |
| Price | $599 |
