The Samsung Omnia is a Windows Mobile 6.1 device that runs on the Verizon network, while the LG Arena uses a proprietary LG OS called "Innovative S-Class 3D" and can be run on either Verizon or AT&T.

As for the general look and feel of the two devices, the Samsung Omnia is definitely larger and heavier in the hand than the LG Arena, at 58 mm x 123 mm x 12 mm and 149 g as compared with 55 mm x 106 mm x 12 mm and 105 g. The Samsung's also got a bigger touch screen display (at 3.7 in to the Arena's 3 in) and it's the only one of the two to boast a built-in accelerometer (the technology that shifts a display from portrait to landscape mode simply by turning the phone).

In terms of basic functionality, both devices are 3G capable with HSDPA and GPRS support and include built in Buetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS. The Omnia, however, has v2.0 Bluetooth and A-GPS support with Xtragps navigation for its GPS. Interestingly, however, the Samsung device lacks a speakerphone, while the LG device has one.

Also somewhat surprising is that in performance testing, the LG actually seemed to have a better and more reliable HSDPA connection as well as superior Wi-Fi connectivity. The Samsung does, however, have the unique ability to be plugged into a laptop computer's USB port and be used as a modem; while the LG has no such functionality.

What's more, the Samsung Omnia has a much better built-in digital camera than the LG Arena, with 8 megapixels to the Arena's 5 megapixels. It should be kept in mind, however, that for most people's uses, 5 megapixels is more than high enough picture quality. Still, while the digital cameras in both devices have built in autofocus, only the Samsung's has geotagging, blink shots, face and smile recognition, and high definition video recording and playback.

The media playback capabilities on both devices differ slightly as well. While both smartphones have a built-in digital audio player (and, of course, a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack), the Samsung has a video player while the LG does not, but the LG has an FM radio while the Samsung does not.

Both devices come with 8 gigabytes of internal memory, but the Omnia can be upgraded to have 16 GB of internal memory; the Arena cannot.

The only areas where it seems the LG surpasses the Samsung is in portability (in other words, in being smaller and lighter weight), Wi-Fi and HSDPA connectivity, and in being the only one of the two devices to have push email. If either of those features are a priority to you, then the LG Arena is the recommended product. Otherwise (and especially if media is your thing) for the same $200, the Samsung Omnia is a superior smartphone.