Have I Made a Mistake? Not Enjoying Windows Phone 8

[Sir Topham Hatt]

Well, a few days on and I am still unsure but sure enough to be sending it back... I think :P

 

The battery is much better.  It was lasting 5 hours between charges but after a couple days or so it appears to want to last a lot longer.  Been off charge for 13 hours, currently at 91% with 4 days and 22 hours remaining.

However I do have pretty much every app uninstalled; only Outlook remains.  So no twitter or Facebook updates.

 

I have another couple days before my new normal sim card arrives with my number already ported to it so until then I can give it another go.    Although I can snap a micro sim out of it if I did change my mind.  I think what will kill it for now is the quality of apps.  Some are great, even better than the Android version, but others just don't seem as polished.  I refuse to pay for Draw Something and Words with Friends (again) and don't really like paying for apps at the best of times (many aren't worth the asking price), so it means I will have to sacrifice playing against the lady friend in my life.  Maybe if I work an extra few hours one week then I will grudgingly pay again.

But then it's not all bad.  I have realised I had a barcode app (on Android), which I perhaps used once.  Other apps I had but rarely used, so actually don't miss them.

 

Windows Phone 8 to me is like a phone for grown ups.  You get a functional phone with Live Tiles, which seems to be a massive hit wherever I read.  While the system is still in a child state, it is getting more and more exposure, gaining momentum every week.  Do I want to be a part of that "being cool because I already have it" crowd?  Most definitely!

 

Adding another thing to the list is the "back" button.  In Android this means "exit" rather than "back", so after a few hours, I can find the back button cycling through apps I was on before, confusing!  I can imagine this and the number for a password lock will change eventually but will it be too late?

 

Perhaps it's just a case of relearning and getting out of the Android mind.  While I never ran other ROMs I did root my phone so I could copy over some app apks.  I'll update here but whatever happens I know it will defiantly be my next OS at least!

[neo1911]

I don't think that battery improves after initial few days.

It's just that we are excited and using the phone more but at the same time carefully observing battery life. That gives illusion of poor battery life.

Once our usage pattern becomes set and we don't use our phone like we did at start, we see a jump in battery life.

[StandingInAlley]

I have battery issues with 920 too and I think WhatsApp is the app which drains my battery the most. I have a crappy 3G network so the phone keeps going from H+ to 3G to 2G so I have permanently set it to 2G to save battery.

 

I don't have issues with lack of Apps but its Microsoft's attitude towards their own platform. Amber was suppose to release in July which now has been pushed to August. Next update i.e. GDR3 will only come out early next year. I'm sorry but lack of updates, bugs and missing features in OS makes me want to move away from WP8 for good.

 

Check this out - Every time my phone restarts, my volume is reset. I have to increase the volume again. I don't know if its a feature or a bug.

 

I had picked this phone for the camera and its working really well however I'm hoping that iPhone 5S's camera can click awesome pictures in low light. If that happens then I'm going back to iOS.

 

P.S - I paid $700 for the phone.

[Sir Topham Hatt]

Just had a quick thought, maybe I would get on better with the HTC 8X as Neobond suggested?

 

After all, while I like the Nokia Lumia 920 as a physical phone, I might feel better and get on better with an HTC (my last being the Desire, held back my memory alone).  I wonder if this is where the "Nokia Exclusive" apps come in, pretty much all of them I can go without...

 

Time to re-read the Neowin review on the 8X then!

[Sir Topham Hatt]

GRR!

Why does the official Twitter app only scroll to allow you to see a few tweets while the Android app allows you to see hundreds?

Also don't like the fact if I open a link then the phone forgets where I am on Twitter.

 

Another twitter app is just the web version :/  Boo.

 

Will try to keep my chin up though.

[Sir Topham Hatt]

Well, after a few more days I think the answer is no, I haven't made a mistake.

 

Perhaps the Lumia 920 isn't the right phone due to the cost, physical dimensions I don't know but the more I use Windows Phone 8, the more I feel better about it.

 

Yes, my gripes are still valid on why Microsoft chose to work the system like they have but it will only get better.  Plus, the more people use it, the more apps will be available as they will probably be in the end anyway.

[thomastmc]

 

Simple Guidelines for Charging Lithium-based Batteries

• A portable device should be turned off while charging. This allows the battery to reach the threshold voltage unhindered and reflects the correct saturation current responsible to terminate the charge. A parasitic load confuses the charger.

 

Something I've noticed with my Lumia 928.... If I turn it off, and then plug in the charger (wall and/or USB on PC), it automatically turns on and boots up. It's behavior has led me to believe that it won't charge unless it's on and booted.

 

Is there something that I'm doing wrong, or is it just the Lumia 928, or is it normal for WP? 

[BajiRav]

Well, a few days on and I am still unsure but sure enough to be sending it back... I think :p

 

The battery is much better.  It was lasting 5 hours between charges but after a couple days or so it appears to want to last a lot longer.  Been off charge for 13 hours, currently at 91% with 4 days and 22 hours remaining.

However I do have pretty much every app uninstalled; only Outlook remains.  So no twitter or Facebook updates.

 

I have another couple days before my new normal sim card arrives with my number already ported to it so until then I can give it another go.    Although I can snap a micro sim out of it if I did change my mind.  I think what will kill it for now is the quality of apps.  Some are great, even better than the Android version, but others just don't seem as polished.  I refuse to pay for Draw Something and Words with Friends (again) and don't really like paying for apps at the best of times (many aren't worth the asking price), so it means I will have to sacrifice playing against the lady friend in my life.  Maybe if I work an extra few hours one week then I will grudgingly pay again.

But then it's not all bad.  I have realised I had a barcode app (on Android), which I perhaps used once.  Other apps I had but rarely used, so actually don't miss them.

 

Windows Phone 8 to me is like a phone for grown ups.  You get a functional phone with Live Tiles, which seems to be a massive hit wherever I read.  While the system is still in a child state, it is getting more and more exposure, gaining momentum every week.  Do I want to be a part of that "being cool because I already have it" crowd?  Most definitely!

 

Adding another thing to the list is the "back" button.  In Android this means "exit" rather than "back", so after a few hours, I can find the back button cycling through apps I was on before, confusing!  I can imagine this and the number for a password lock will change eventually but will it be too late?

 

Perhaps it's just a case of relearning and getting out of the Android mind.  While I never ran other ROMs I did root my phone so I could copy over some app apks.  I'll update here but whatever happens I know it will defiantly be my next OS at least!

I think you are overthinking it. I have many apps installed and 43 tiles on my start screen (yes I counted them :D) of varying sizes and many are "Live". I have 3 email accounts on Push (Outlook, gmail and work/EAS).

My phone shows 17 hours since last charge and 1d7hr remaining.

I kind of take offence to the bold part. WP8 (like iPhone) is for people who don't like to worry about trivial things on their phone. Sure it gives less customization compared to Android but then I don't have to remember constantly switching on/off GPS etc. iPhone 3G being my first smartphone and then having extensively used iPhone 4 and HTC's some Android 4.0 (upgraded to 4.1) version, I think Android still lacks in usability and yes I can customize it to suit my taste but why should I?

 

Just had a quick thought, maybe I would get on better with the HTC 8X as Neobond suggested?

 

After all, while I like the Nokia Lumia 920 as a physical phone, I might feel better and get on better with an HTC (my last being the Desire, held back my memory alone).  I wonder if this is where the "Nokia Exclusive" apps come in, pretty much all of them I can go without...

 

Time to re-read the Neowin review on the 8X then!

Given HTC's track record with windows phone (including 8X), I'd avoid it. Nokia has done more software updates for 920 alone than probably the combined total by HTC for all of then WPs.

 

GRR!

Why does the official Twitter app only scroll to allow you to see a few tweets while the Android app allows you to see hundreds?

Also don't like the fact if I open a link then the phone forgets where I am on Twitter.

 

Another twitter app is just the web version :/  Boo.

 

Will try to keep my chin up though.

You mean when you open a tweet, tap a link and it opens a page in IE. Then if you re-launch twitter or back-back to it? Works fine here.

 

Something I've noticed with my Lumia 928.... If I turn it off, and then plug in the charger (wall and/or USB on PC), it automatically turns on and boots up. It's behavior has led me to believe that it won't charge unless it's on and booted.

 

Is there something that I'm doing wrong, or is it just the Lumia 928, or is it normal for WP? 

I think it's normal for WP (even my Samsung Focus did that too). I am not sure but think my iPhone 3G did the same.

[Draconian Guppy]

Something I've noticed with my Lumia 928.... If I turn it off, and then plug in the charger (wall and/or USB on PC), it automatically turns on and boots up. It's behavior has led me to believe that it won't charge unless it's on and booted.

 

Is there something that I'm doing wrong, or is it just the Lumia 928, or is it normal for WP? 

Can't really say for windows phone,

 

But this exact thing happens in android and apple. The work around is, plug in the charger and THEN turn off.

 

Though, I never turn off my phones since having smartphone and I can't say i've noticed that much of a performance drop battery wise. The same goes for a few mp3 players I own.

[thomastmc]

Can't really say for windows phone,

 

But this exact thing happens in android and apple. The work around is, plug in the charger and THEN turn off.

 

Though, I never turn off my phones since having smartphone and I can't say i've noticed that much of a performance drop battery wise. The same goes for a few mp3 players I own.

 

If the Lumia 928 is plugged in and charging and is turned off, it boots right back up automatically just the same.

 

I'd tried that about a month ago when I first got the phone, but couldn't remember for sure if that's what it actually did. Due to a mishap (brother being a clutz and dropping it :) ) my phone was damaged on July 4, and I couldn't get an insurance replacement until last night. I tested it again, on the new phone, and same result.

 

It might have to do with wireless charging, I'm not sure. It would be nice if someone with a Lumia 92x could confirm this behavior.

 

I'd read a forum post that was very similar (but not as detailed) as the article you posted, and it made charging the device while on sound very not recommended. Hearing your experience with your battery life gives me some comfort though.

[vcfan]

Well, after a few more days I think the answer is no, I haven't made a mistake.

 

Perhaps the Lumia 920 isn't the right phone due to the cost, physical dimensions I don't know but the more I use Windows Phone 8, the more I feel better about it.

 

Yes, my gripes are still valid on why Microsoft chose to work the system like they have but it will only get better.  Plus, the more people use it, the more apps will be available as they will probably be in the end anyway.

luckily, there are wp8 devices that hit all price points and dimensions,while still not sacrificing user experience,unlike other platforms.  and like you said,things will continue to get better,and it is happening. windows phone is the fastest growing mobile os,and it isn't going anywhere.

[Draconian Guppy]

 

 

I'd read a forum post that was very similar (but not as detailed) as the article you posted, and it made charging the device while on sound very not recommended. Hearing your experience with your battery life gives me some comfort though.

 

Yeah there's a lot info and  "not recommended" which usually means not in a 100% air tight room :laugh:  But most if not all always state a perfect scenario. I don't recall shutting of my phone to recharge since the old startac, ever since the first smartphones i've owned since 2005, I don't really turn off my phones any more, alls I do is use airplane mode in any case. (Unless jailbreaking/rooting or an app requires it). The only thing I can say is that never ever fully  drain Li-Po and Li-on batteries as the article states. I've got a 7 year old creative zen vision:m, while the battery isn't in tip top shape, it still goes for a couple of days.

 

Li-ion / Li-po and modern battery technologies DO have a limited amount of cycles before the batteries reduces to 80%  ( it depends from brand, but it usually is 800+). A full discharge is one cycle. SO if you plug in to recharge at 80%, you are only using 20% of that cycle? Thus granting you more battery life. Also that never  charge to "100%" FUD is based on first li-on batteries, most modern phones reach 98 or 99% percent and round to 100%, hence why some people say "oh sometimes it takes a couple of hours more to get from 100 to say 95% (Use dependent obviously) or "oh it seems to charge faster from 90% and up).

 

(This is all explained in better detail in that same webpage).

[vcfan]

Yeah there's a lot info and  "not recommended" which usually means not in a 100% air tight room :laugh:  But most if not all always state a perfect scenario. I don't recall shutting of my phone to recharge since the old startac, ever since the first smartphones i've owned since 2005, I don't really turn off my phones any more, alls I do is use airplane mode in any case. (Unless jailbreaking/rooting or an app requires it). The only thing I can say is that never ever fully  drain Li-Po and Li-on batteries as the article states. I've got a 7 year old creative zen vision:m, while the battery isn't in tip top shape, it still goes for a couple of days.

 

Li-ion / Li-po and modern battery technologies DO have a limited amount of cycles before the batteries reduces to 80%  ( it depends from brand, but it usually is 800+). A full discharge is one cycle. SO if you plug in to recharge at 80%, you are only using 20% of that cycle? Thus granting you more battery life. Also that never  charge to "100%" FUD is based on first li-on batteries, most modern phones reach 98 or 99% percent and round to 100%, hence why some people say "oh sometimes it takes a couple of hours more to get from 100 to say 95% (Use dependent obviously) or "oh it seems to charge faster from 90% and up).

 

(This is all explained in better detail in that same webpage).

 

certain phones you have to let them discharge once in awhile,only to recalibrate the lows and highs. its dependent on the battery controller though. Some kinds arent smart enough to keep calibration stable enough,and some of them glitch up.