Samsung S8530 wave II Review: riding the wave

The server was unable to process the request due to an internal error. For more information about the error, either turn on IncludeExceptionDetailInFaults (either from Service Behavior Attribute or from the configuration behavior) on the server in order to send the exception information back to the client, or turn on tracing as per the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 SDK documentation and inspect the server trace logs. The server was unable to process the request due to an internal error. For more information about the error, either turn on IncludeExceptionDetailInFaults (either from ServiceBehaviorAttribute or from the configuration behavior) on the server in order to send the exception information back to the client, or turn on tracing as per the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 SDK documentation and inspect the server trace logs.

They shall come in wave upon wave. Or so it seemed in the beginning. Samsung certainly wanted a strong start for their own Bada OS and they had it. It is usual for sequels to be questioned and belittled. That's one thing the Wave II doesn't have to worry about. It's bigger and heavier than the original.

  

Samsung S8530 Wave II official photos

When the second gen phone has a familiar sounding model name with an actual ordinal number in it that doesn't mean a complete lack of imagination. It's a way to promote continuity. The Wave II has this base covered too, it's nearly the same phone as the first Wave but presumably upgraded to reach to a more high-end market segment. Here's a quick recap of its specs: 3.7" 16M-color Super Clear LCD capacitive touchscreen, WVGA (480 x 800 pixels), multi-touch input, scratch-resistant glass surfaceSlim and solid metal bodyBada OS 1.2 with Samsung AppsARM Cortex A8 based 1GHz CPU Quad-band GSM support with dual-band HSPAWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n connectivity with WPS support, Wi-Fi tethering Built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS support, digital compass, Samsung LBS powered by ROUTE 665 MP autofocus camera with touch focus and LED flash, geotagging, face, smile and blink detection 720p video recording at 30fps2GB internal storage, microSDHC card slotStandard microUSB port and Bluetooth v3.0 with A2DP Standard 3.5mm audio jack, TV outStereo FM radio with RDS, FM recording Webkit-based Samsung Dolphin Browser 2.0 with Flash supportYouTube client, Facebook and Twitter integrationDivX/XviD video supportGood audio qualityLimited number of available applications Super Clear LCD can?t match SuperAMOLED Card slot under the batteryNo lens protection SatNav software only a 30-day trialNo ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness automatically Poor loudspeaker performanceLatest Bada OS 1.2Swype-like T9 Trace text input Over-the-Air software updates Larger 3.7" touchscreen

Yep, we know, it's not a great update. Plus the first three differences over the original Wave are about to be washed away once it receives its due software update to Bada OS 1.2.

The Samsung S8530 Wave II may not be the upgrade that all users have been waiting for, but the phone runs the latest version of the Bada OS and has kept all the great features of the original: from the powerful CPU, to premium connectivity and HD video recording.

And all this is delivered on a larger 3.7-inch display. Sure, it?s no SuperAMOLED screen but Samsung promises the LCD screen is not your ordinary screen, too. You see, good things come in limited number and Samsung is pressed to supply enough SuperAMOLEDs for their Android and Windows Phone 7 operations.

Bad luck for the Wave II, we guess. Even worse for the original Wave this phone will be as good as discontinued when the stocks run out. The Wave II will take over and that's that.

Anyway, Samsung are probably not giving up on their Bada OS. If it eventually becomes the base platform for all their midrange touch phones, they will be extremely well positioned to adapt to the new market reality.

It's not about the business benefits or the multitasking, it's as simple as apps. Users love to have them and makers love to sell them. Imagine being able to do that on all levels, from the most basic feature phones to the top-of-the-line smart devices. That must be enough reason for Samsung to keep their commitment to Bada.

   

Samsung S8530 Wave II in our office

Like it or not, the Samsung S8530 Wave II is just a step in the process. We're about to see whether it's as compelling as its predecessor. As usual, we start with the design and hardware, and then put Bada 1.2 under the microscope.

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