I'm finally ditching Android for a Windows phone...


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Hi guys and ladies.

 

I apologise if this is the incorrect section by the way... :cry:

 

I wonder if somebody could help me decide on which Windows Phone to get... my first Windows phone. Although it all boils down to what do you want out of your phone...

 

I've been an Android user for many years now and I've had enough and I'm going to get my first Windows phone but I'm not sure which one as there are so many versions. The Lumia 930 looks a nice phone but I am wondering if I should wait or just plunge in and get one now.

 

Thank in advance

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I love the fluid, fast, responsive OS, and the battery life.

Lack of Apps... is starting to get on my nerves.

It's a sea of lacking, to ad laden, copyright infringing 3rd party apps.

 

A good camera would lesson my frustration (5mp Lumia 635 aka "entry" windows phone). 

 

I do buy apps, and even then, there still things I've not found paid alternatives.  

 

I've actually used the Windows Apps Studio Creator to make my own apps (BBC, Techspot, Anime News Network) just to have a nice looking, ad-free rss news reader to sites I visit.

The built in news apps is a bit ... clunky, but usable to a point.

 

If anything, Windows phone has forced me to be more creative, and help unburden myself from my phone to make it more utilitarian, simplified life. 

 

Work arounds for me / way I use the phone

  • Download Google Music / Amazon MP3 to SD card - Use built in Music App
  • Here Maps (IMHO) is better then Google maps, and love the offline mode
  • IM+ Pro (paid app, there's lite free one) allows google talk (and more chat networks)
  • Cloud Mesh Pro (paid app) allow easy access to Google Drive (and more) I don't use the sync option, has to be set up manually
  • There are Netflix, Crunchy roll, Crackle streaming apps

There's time's I'm looking for solid apps (even paid) and can't find anything.

Again, there's a ton of bad apps, outdated 1st party apps, etc.

 

Situation may improve when universal apps are added to Xbox One may help Windows Phone situation.

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Hi guys and ladies.

 

I apologise if this is the incorrect section by the way... :cry:

 

I wonder if somebody could help me decide on which Windows Phone to get... my first Windows phone. Although it all boils down to what do you want out of your phone...

 

I've been an Android user for many years now and I've had enough and I'm going to get my first Windows phone but I'm not sure which one as there are so many versions. The Lumia 930 looks a nice phone but I am wondering if I should wait or just plunge in and get one now.

 

Thank in advance

You could have a look at the Lumia 640 or 640XL when they come out, they seem to be a decent spec for the money and they will get Windows 10. If you're looking more at an entry level device then I would recommend the 630. The Lumia 930 is an excellent choice though.

 

As you say, it all comes down to what you want out of the phone. If you're a gamer then look for a WP with at least 1GB of RAM. Personally I would have a look at the phones in a shop first before making a decision.

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Honestly I would wait until Windows 10 comes out to see if the universal apps are really great and if that gets things moving in the right direction.

 

This is coming from a Windows Phone user of 4 years.

 

But if you really need something immediately, you can get the 930 even though it's pretty old technology now, or invest in one of the cheaper Windows Phones to hold you over until the new 'flagship' comes out later this year as promised by MS (it sounds like you are looking for a high end device).

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Personally, I would wait until Windows 10 comes out and they release the new flagship phones then make a decision.

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Hi guys and ladies.

 

I apologise if this is the incorrect section by the way... :cry:

 

I wonder if somebody could help me decide on which Windows Phone to get... my first Windows phone. Although it all boils down to what do you want out of your phone...

 

I've been an Android user for many years now and I've had enough and I'm going to get my first Windows phone but I'm not sure which one as there are so many versions. The Lumia 930 looks a nice phone but I am wondering if I should wait or just plunge in and get one now.

 

Thank in advance

 

before you are heavily invested in windows phone i would give it a try first. lots is missing compared to android. The Lumia 640 will come out very soon looks like to be an incredible value for money phone and you will be able to upgrade to windows 10.

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I dont really use many apps but it's true that Windows Phone doesn't have as many apps as Android. 

 

The OS itself i feel is stunning and the devices are usually very nice, especially the Lumia 930. I had one and the screen was sharp, the performance was great and after a week the battery life settled and became decent. 

 

The only reason i don't have my 930? I dropped it and it would have cost 150.00 to repair because the glass and the screen cannot be fixed separately apparently (Price given by Nokia and a 3rd Party was the same).

If you get one, get Phone Insurance. 

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The only reason i don't have my 930? I dropped it and it would have cost 150.00 to repair because the glass and the screen cannot be fixed separately apparently (Price given by Nokia and a 3rd Party was the same).

 

 

I'm surprised it broke... My 930 glass feels like a tank, especially when compared to most Android phones out there (My Note 2's glass was flimsy as hell, broke it 3 weeks after getting it :( )

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mmm, not gonna lie, I've had my S2 for a while now and i'm looking at a 930 aswell. So far, the things I need it to do is possible, my only concern is google maps as I use that alot to meet clients. WP 10 is also looking decent, and I'm looking for native office integration too

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mmm, not gonna lie, I've had my S2 for a while now and i'm looking at a 930 aswell. So far, the things I need it to do is possible, my only concern is google maps as I use that alot to meet clients. WP 10 is also looking decent, and I'm looking for native office integration too

 

Don't worry, HERE Maps is more than a good enough replacement for Google Maps.

 

I kinda miss Android after making the switch a few months ago, but really... At the time I was pretty bored with Android too...  Besides, there are NO Android phones out there that can match the 930's camera. It's that good.

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I moved onto Android a little over a year ago, but my Lumia 920 still holds my attention every now and then. I would definitely stick to Lumia phones. I'm not so sure that Microsoft has opened up all of the Lumia apps to all other Windows phones, but I can say that they are definitely quality apps. The only thing keeping me from going back to Windows Phone is the lack of major apps. And even some of the ones that I used before are going away (stupid banks dropping support for WP apps that they already have). With Windows 10 so close, I too, would wait and see what's coming down the line. Universal apps look very promising and if app development takes off for Windows 10, then the phones will only benefit from that.

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Honestly I would wait until Windows 10 comes out  or invest in one of the cheaper Windows Phones to hold you over

 

this 100%

 

i would not buy a current high end windows phone.    really not worth it IMHO.

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this 100%

 

i would not buy a current high end windows phone.    really not worth it IMHO.

 

The problem with waiting for the "next gen device", is that there is -always- another "next gen device" about to come out.  If you play that game, you'll never get one at all.

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The problem with waiting for the "next gen device", is that there is -always- another "next gen device" about to come out.  If you play that game, you'll never get one at all.

normally i would agree.

 

 

but microsoft is throwing big promises for win10 and unified architecture.   however they promised big with every new phone os, so i will not buy till i see it live.

 

 

with android i would not care, same with iphones.... but with win10 i am really curious, and really, it is pointless to buy high end WP, because the only ones available are already old... again, unlike android.

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As someone who switched from Android to WP in recent months, I think that the "app gap" is irrelevant. I haven't missed anything on here. As for what phone to choose, unless you're in dire need of a flagship, I'd say don't buy anything Nokia, as the new Microsoft phones coming out are way better in terms of specs/price ratio.I would wait till the 640 and 640XL.

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I think it is pretty simple to choose from current crop of Lumias. The higher you go up the price scale, the better is its camera.

There are obviously other differences but I think that's what it boils down to in the end.

I love the fluid, fast, responsive OS, and the battery life.

Lack of Apps... is starting to get on my nerves.

It's a sea of lacking, to ad laden, copyright infringing 3rd party apps.

 

A good camera would lesson my frustration (5mp Lumia 635 aka "entry" windows phone). 

 

I do buy apps, and even then, there still things I've not found paid alternatives.  

 

I've actually used the Windows Apps Studio Creator to make my own apps (BBC, Techspot, Anime News Network) just to have a nice looking, ad-free rss news reader to sites I visit.

The built in news apps is a bit ... clunky, but usable to a point.

 

If anything, Windows phone has forced me to be more creative, and help unburden myself from my phone to make it more utilitarian, simplified life. 

 

Work arounds for me / way I use the phone

  • Download Google Music / Amazon MP3 to SD card - Use built in Music App
  • Here Maps (IMHO) is better then Google maps, and love the offline mode
  • IM+ Pro (paid app, there's lite free one) allows google talk (and more chat networks)
  • Cloud Mesh Pro (paid app) allow easy access to Google Drive (and more) I don't use the sync option, has to be set up manually
  • There are Netflix, Crunchy roll, Crackle streaming apps
There's time's I'm looking for solid apps (even paid) and can't find anything.

Again, there's a ton of bad apps, outdated 1st party apps, etc.

 

Situation may improve when universal apps are added to Xbox One may help Windows Phone situation.

Have you tried Nextgen reader? It's my go-to rss reader on both WP and W8.1
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As someone who switched from Android to WP in recent months, I think that the "app gap" is irrelevant. I haven't missed anything on here. As for what phone to choose, unless you're in dire need of a flagship, I'd say don't buy anything Nokia, as the new Microsoft phones coming out are way better in terms of specs/price ratio.I would wait till the 640 and 640XL.

 

the app gap isn't just for lack of smaller independant apps, but also references the shortcomings of existing windows apps vs IOS/Android apps. Examples: Skype windows app missing critical features, Facebook messenger missing calling, etc etc

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I think it is pretty simple to choose from current crop of Lumias. The higher you go up the price scale, the better is its camera.

There are obviously other differences but I think that's what it boils down to in the end.

Have you tried Nextgen reader? It's my go-to rss reader on both WP and W8.1

 

I'm on sprint, my selection is not that great.......

 

I'll check out the Next-Gen reader

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I'm surprised it broke... My 930 glass feels like a tank, especially when compared to most Android phones out there (My Note 2's glass was flimsy as hell, broke it 3 weeks after getting it :( )

 

I was sat down, it slipped off my knee onto gravel. The impact wasnt that bad to be honest, i expected at worse a small scratch but it actually broke a chip into the glass and smashed around the impact site. All i can guess is perhaps the gravel was compacted some and as a result, a stone on the top didnt budge. I was gutted! The other issue i had was the back casing was slightly raised on one side but i overlooked that because the phone was so nice.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I upgraded to Windows Phone this week after using Android for last 5 years. My first android phone was the Galaxy Apollo, then transitioned to Galaxy S and then to Galaxy S2. I got the Lumia 930 a couple of days back. It is very solidly built and the build quality is second to none. The specs are pretty decent. I am loving Windows Phone Denim Update. Although Cortana doesn't work in India as of now, the other features are appealing to me. I do not feel the lack of apps since majority of the apps I use have a Windows Phone version. In fact the OS looks more polished. Not encountered a single lag or app crash which I have experienced with stock Android, Cyanogenmod and Touchwiz. My only grudge is the notification bar which seems primitive to me. I am eagerly waiting for Windows 10  for an enhanced notification bar. Another feature particularly missing in 930/Icon is the Glance feature which looks cool in 830 or 925.

I feel the 730, 830 or 930 are great WP alternatives for someone who wants to transition from iOS/Android to Windows Phone 8.1

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Thanks a lot. Cortana Alpha is working now. In my first 10 days of owning a Lumia phone, I have to say that I am not as disappointed as I initally thought about it. 5 years of using Android had made me over dependent on Google Apps which I am beginning to shift to Microsoft Apps like Outlook, OneDrive and Here Maps and I am finding them equally adept if not better. The Lumia Camera app is excellent and highlights the superiority of the optics. Although I have read about complaints from users of Lumia 930 regarding the power draining issue, my device on the contrary is providing me sufficient charge lasting for a full day as of now with medium level use.

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