Windows Phone Review from an Android Dev

[fusi0n]

Windows Phone Review, from an Android Dev

 

Most of everyone on Neowin knows that I strongly dislike Microsoft?s new direction with Windows and Windows Phone. A while back I commented on the forums that Windows Mobile is horrible and that I had used it for half a day and sold it..  Then someone rightfully commented back, ?How do you really know if you like something after using it for two hours?. With the expectation of my of wife, they make a really good point J

 

I bought a Lumina 900 and went to the beach.. Leaving my Galaxy S4 at home, a phone that I know so well, I make custom roms for it.  This will be the ultimate test drive?

 

At first, I really hated that I left my S4 at home because I really did not like how the interface works at all.

 

Build Quality: Hulk/10

The build quality of the Lumina 900 is by far the best of any Smart Phone I have ever used. 

 

I took the phone in the pools with me, taking pictures of my nephew (3 Y.O), took it in the ocean. I felt safe enough with the phone to take it 5 or so feet deep. The phone kept getting splashed and never skipped a beat..

 

When not in the pool or ocean, I kept the phone out connected to my wireless Bluetooth speaker in the HOT sun.. My Nexus 4 wouldn?t survive 30 minutes before shutting off because of heat.  The phone was also connected to wifi the entire time, never missed a beat.

 

This phone was basically abused and survived without a scratch..

 

 

Windows Phone 7.8 7/10

It really took some time to get used to it.. Still not 100% and don?t think I will ever truly will.

 

Getting to settings like the Wifi is pain and I feel like it should be much easier..  I understand you just have to click and scroll and only takes a few seconds.. but on an Android device it is much more quick to access system settings.

 

The interface started to grow on a bit after messing around with it.. The tiles are a cool concept for a phone and when setup correctly it can save you some time.

 

The Marketplace was a lot better than I expected.. It isn?t quite up to speed like the stores on I OS or Android.. I am sure with time, it will be much improved..  I was able to Download Spotify, so that made me happy.. Other apps like Digitally Imported could not be found, but no biggie..  They say it is coming soon.. I am sure other apps will be ported over to WinMo as it gets bigger.

 

Screen: 8/10

I am conflicted with the screen.. While I feel like it could be MUCH more clearer.. the fact that you can read it in direct sun light is amazing.. The image quality just doesn?t do it for me.. S4 and iPhone 5 is much better? With that said, both of those phones are newer than the Lumina 900 and is to be expected..

 

Camera: 9/10

The camera is really awesome.. One of my favorite features and it isn?t due to the image quality of the pictures either.. I really like how there is a hardware dedicated button for the Camera.. It makes it much more convenient and you are more inclined to use it more. Huge fan of the Camera..

 

Speed:

Very snappy for a phone.. I can?t compare it to other WinMo 7.8 Phones, but I can tell you that it is on par with my S4 with how fast applications open..

 

 

Conclusion:

The phone took me for a surprise really.. It grew on me.. I won?t be using it has a main phone because of all the different apps I use and I enjoy making custom ROMs for the S4..  The new WinMo will be great after it matures a few years.. It took Android a few years to where it is today and I feel like that is the case for WinMo 7.8.. It will be very interesting to see how this platform grows.. I am attempted to get me a 920 now though: P

[+Fahim S. MVC]

At the risk of sounding picky Windows Mobile and Windows Phone are not the same thing. Version 7 and beyond is Windows Phone, Windows Mobile is before version 7.

Furthermore, the version and handset you are reviewing ate somewhat old and things have moved on.

[fusi0n]

At the risk of sounding picky Windows Mobile and Windows Phone are not the same thing. Version 7 and beyond is Windows Phone, Windows Mobile is before version 7.

Furthermore, the version and handset you are reviewing ate somewhat old and things have moved on.

Thanks for the feedback..

[123456789A]

I'd be curious to see what you think of the newer WP8 phones especially after they address some of the popular requests (maybe early next year?)

[Max Norris]

Pretty much agree with this review.. really boils down to what you're doing with it.  As a phone in general, I'm very pleased with my 900.  Fast, stable, and does the job nicely.  The ecosystem isn't as big as Androids yet obviously, as the market share slowly grows (which it's mostly doing) it'll get better, if you're wanting everything right now you're probably better off going the Android route. I have two phones, one for work, one is my personal phone.  (When I'm off the job, I'm off, no calls, no texts, nada.) To me anyway, Windows Phone "feels" more like a fast, streamlined phone, where my HTC One feels more like a small tablet that just so happens to also make phone calls, if that makes sense.  Upgrading to a WP8 phone is on my to-do, I'm sold on the platform.  Very easy to develop for too, same language, IDE, etc as my other projects.

[BajiRav]

Getting to settings like the Wifi is pain and I feel like it should be much easier.. I understand you just have to click and scroll and only takes a few seconds.. but on an Android device it is much more quick to access system settings.

With all due respect, you find this a problem because you are used to toggling these things on Android. You can set your wifi once and not care about it until you are at a place where you want to connect. The phone will prompt you in that case.

[Noir Angel]

So will an Android phone if you're near an open network. If the network you're using isn't open you will have to go into the settings menu once to connect to it, then it will automatically connect when you're next in range.

 

I'm pretty sure the OP's post was in reference to the annoyance of getting into the menu not the actual functionality of the wifi

[Jarrichvdv]

It's Lumia, not Lumina.