Holiday Guide: Five Outstanding Windows Phones Discussion

[Grant Hatchimonji]

Whether you're a Windows Phone 7 fan or you're moving on to Windows Phone 8, there are plenty of top-notch smartphones for you to choose from that feature Microsoft's mobile OS.

Read the full content of this Article: Holiday Guide: Five Outstanding Windows Phones

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• Windows Phone 8 Review: Let's Try This Again
• Verizon to Ring in the Holidays with Three Windows Phone 8 Models
• Microsoft Launches Windows Phone 8

[Mitlov]

I laughed when I saw this article title because there are only five WP8 phones that have been unveiled so far: the Lumia 920, the Lumia 820 series (820, 822, and 810, all basically the same phone), the HTC 8X, the HTC 8S, and the Samsung Ativ S.

[Ed Hardy]

That would assume we ignored already-existing devices running Windows Phone 7.5, which we did not.

[Mitlov]

That would assume we ignored already-existing devices running Windows Phone 7.5, which we did not.

I know, I know, I was just joking because it sounded funny.

That said, I personally would have picked the 8S over the Lumia 900 for fifth on the list. Even bottom-of-the-barrel entry-level WP8 specs compare favorably to flagship WP7 specs (it's got a dual-core processor, comparable screen resolution, and expandable memory which the L900 lacks); the Lumia 900's camera never deserved the Carl Zeiss name; and the features and release date of WP7.8, as well as app selection, remain question marks. And the 8S looks way more "premium" than its price point likely will be.

[Varjak]

Exactly. It's unlikely that a 7.5 phone would really be competitive, if for no other reason than non-upgradability.

[Mitlov]

Exactly. It's unlikely that a 7.5 phone would really be competitive, if for no other reason than non-upgradability.

If you're the sort of person who uses a smartphone for social networking, streaming video, and talking to people, the Lumia 900 would be just fine. The integrated functions work very well and are a pleasure to use. But if you're the sort of person who uses third-party apps with any regularity, I couldn't advise you to get a 7.5 phone at this stage of the game under any circumstances.

EDIT: This is the rhetorical "you," not the "Varjak" you.

[Drillbit]

There really is no reason to even consider a WP7 to 7.5 phones anymore. If I were opinionated about it, I would say it would even be an outright disservice. The Nokia 900 isn't even price competitive against the lower end WP8 phones and you are not going to pay that much for a regular WP8 phone.

[Ed Hardy]

When the Nokia Lumia 920 is released, I'm expecting the Lumia 900's price to drop to free with contract. At this price, it will still find a market, even with WP8 models available.

[Mitlov]

When the Nokia Lumia 920 is released, I'm expecting the Lumia 900's price to drop to free with contract. At this price, it will still find a market, even with WP8 models available.

But the Lumia 900's only on AT&T. Most budget-conscious people aren't with AT&T. Furthermore, for those on AT&T, the Lumia 820 (which has the same screen and camera as the Lumia 900 but has WP8 and some additional hardware features like expandable memory, swappable cases, and wireless charging) costs only $49 with contract.

[Varjak]

Mitlov, so you're disagreeing with me after I AGREED with you? Really? Plus, the entry price for Windows 8 phones is so low, that even if what you say is true (and it probably is, even if it's true of any phone on any OS for light use), it's still meaningless.