Samsung ATIV Odyssey

Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support ; CDMA/EV-DO; HSDPA 2100 network support ; Class 13 LTE network connectivity ; 4 " 16M-color Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen of WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) resolution ; 5MP autofocus camera with LED flash, 1080p@30fps...

App catalog falls short of Android and iOS ; Not exactly the thinnest around at 10.9mm ; The PenTile display is far from today's standards ; No system-wide file manager ; No voice-guided navigation ; No music player equalizers ; No lockscreen shortcuts

We are left with the exact same feelings towards the Samsung Ativ Odyssey as we had towards the last year's Samsung Focus 2 for AT&T. The handset looks hastily designed and executed in order to be able to play along with its rivals without grabbing too...

Impressive performance for the price ; Minimal bloatware ; Expandable storage

Low-res screen ; Underwhelming camera performance ; Cheap-feeling construction

The ATIV Odyssey looks like a budget phone, with its cheap construction and low-res screen, but it performs like a flagship.

Zippy performance ; Good battery life ; Fast data

Cheap feel ; Ugly appearance ; Low-resolution, cramped display

There are better phones for more money, and for less money

Very good call quality. World phone. Long battery life

Uninspired design. Unimpressive display. Weak app selection

As Samsung's first Windows Phone 8 smartphone, the Ativ Odyssey for Verizon Wireless is a surprisingly underwhelming showing.

Very good call quality. World phone. Long battery life.

Uninspired design. Unimpressive display. Weak app selection.

(Next page: Multimedia, Camera, and Conclusions)

Windows Phone 8 OS ; Smooth performance ; Verizon's strong LTE ; Great battery life

Mediocre (low resolution) display ; Unremarkable design ; Lower-end 5MP camera ; Maps is a mess ; Weak app selection ; Only 8GB internal storage

As a lower-priced entry model into the world of Windows Phone 8, Samsung's Ativ Odyssey does a solid job of delivering the slick OS experience without lag, and Verizon's 4G LTE coverage ensures quality calls and data usage.

Inexpensive price point ; Smooth performance ; Includes a microSD card slot

Bland design ; No noteworthy exclusive apps

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...

While the Samsung ATIV Odyssey is available for as low as $9.99 with a two-year contract, there are better smartphone options available.

Bright display ; Inexpensive after subsidy ; Compact ; Decent performance

Low resolution ; PenTile pixels ; Mediocre camera ; Unappealing style