A number of Orange Samsung i8910 Omnia HD users have been looking to try and debrand the phone, to get rid of all the Orange bloatware on the phone. Thankfully, it looks like a working solution has been found – the only negative appears to be is that it will cost you €15 to download the necessary files from share4gsm (a small price to pay considering the price of the phone though).

A site is also up and running called Debrandi8910 which details the step-by-step requirements in which to go about the debranding. Remember, this is only a debranding, it will not unlock your phone and allow it to be used on other networks. However, it will upgrade you to the latest XXIE6 firmware. Once debranded users see the following benefits:

• Phone feels faster and slicker
• Widgets that were missing are now back, including Facebook and Youtube
• BBC i-player comes pre-installed
• Support for Facebook, Flickr, Photobucket, Picasa, Myspace pre-installed
• Anti shake setting in camera now saves ok

The main negative seems to be that the firmware flashes into the Polish language to start with, so you need to remember where to change the language. Also, remember to backup everything before rebranding. Also, this only works in Windows XP and NOT Vista. Check out the debranding video tutorial after the break.

Update: Neil W from Debrandi8910 got in touch to say that it is offering the files needed to debrand the Samsung i8910 HD for just £5. Read the rest of this entry »

Orange UK has released a video that goes through some of the key functions of the Samsung i8910 HD. Orange emphasises the phones two biggest features, the screen and the HD video recording. However, despite mentioning the screen a number of times, only once was it mentioned that it was in fact an AMOLED display. The video also shows the mobile internet browser, widgets and user interface. Check it out after the break. Read the rest of this entry »

We have already seen a number of photos showing the Orange branded Samsung i8910 Omnia HD handset in all its glory. We now thought we’d share some photos as to what the actual Orange branded user interface looks like courtesy of SOHD forum user scoopex. From the screengrabs that we’ve seen the Orange branding doesn’t look too bad.

Interestingly, one screengrab shows the firmware version that is currently being used in Orange handsets. The phone is using the I8910ORAIE2 customised Orange firmware, which is based on the I8910BVIE2 software version. The date of this firmware is from 6th May 2009, it will be interesting to see how proactive Samsung will be in providing firmware updates for the phone. I do wonder whether the sim-free handsets will come with a different software version compared to the current I8910BVIE2 when it is launched next month. Check out all of the screengrabs after the break. Read the rest of this entry »

Consumers are starting to get hold of the Samsung i8910 HD (as it’s known in the UK) after being launched on the Orange network last week. We have got hold of some pictures (courtesy of Raikiri from the OCUK Forums) which shows what the packaging looks like, what’s in the box as well as the Orange branding on the handset and software. A few SOHD forumites are also expecting their i8910 Omnia HD phones today so keep your eyes peeled in the Forum for further information. Click through for some more pictures. Read the rest of this entry »

There has been no confirmation from Samsung as to when UK consumers can get hold of the sim-free version of the i8910 Omnia HD. The only dates that we could rely on were from the retailers themselves. We were expecting it to be launched on May 25th according to a Play.com listing, however it now appears that the sim-free version has been delayed by a month.

Play.com now lists the 8GB Samsung i8910 HD for release on 25th June. This has also been confirmed by Expansys, a major mobile phone retailer, who has the same date listed. This is disappointing news if true, it means Orange will be the exclusive provider of the phone for the next few weeks at least. We are trying to get confirmation from Samsung themselves regarding an official release date.

Thanks madpete and Paulus!

The Samsung i8910 HD (as it is known in the UK) has been released across the Orange mobile network. Users are reporting that the i8910 HD has made an appearance in Orange stores and it is also now available online through the Orange website with a number of different price plans. Orange has initial exclusivity with the i8910 HD, although it is believed that the phone will be offered on O2 at some point soon. This article even talks of an O2 release in the “coming days”.

The sim-free version is still expected a week today (24th May) according to Play.com. So for those that do not want to deal with the Orange branding, you only have a week to wait. If you are that desperate though, a quick gander on ebay shows someone with an i8910 Omnia HD with a buy-it-now price of £775! We are still waiting for some proper user reviews to come through, although it can’t be too long now.

With the Samsung i8910 Omnia HD expected to launch in the UK in the coming weeks, the media campaign has already started. Orange is running a full page newspaper campaign claiming that it has full exclusivity of the i8910 HD when it comes to pay monthly contracts.

The small print of the ad also confirms what the i8910 HD will cost an upfront fee of £78 when you connect to Dolphin 40 on a 24-month contract. The monthly fee ranges from £39.15 per month if you order it from an Orange shop or £34.25 if ordered online. The wording of the small-print doesn’t make it clear to me if these amounts include 15 percent VAT or not.

I’m not sure whether Orange has a timed exclusivity, but it certainly will be a blow for consumers who are currently on other networks. If you want to get the phone sim-free, the phone is available to pre-order from the likes of play.com for £529.99. We have attached the advert after the jump including the full text from the small print. Read the rest of this entry »

Whilst we await to see exactly which wireless carriers will be stocking the i8910 Omnia HD, we can now confirm that it will be coming to Orange in the UK. The phone has appeared on its site with a ‘Coming Soon’ notice. There’s no other real information on the listing, but, as we approach its release date, other mobile phone operators will be announcing their intentions regarding this phone shortly.