Windows Phones

[rtaylor61]

I'm in cell phone hell. My Samsung died. I miss my iPhone. I'm using an old Android for the time being, waiting for my upgrade time. And I'm thinking...I want a Windows phone. If you have a Windows phone, please tell me your likes and dislikes. I'm interested in only hearing about Windows phones. My carrier does not offer the iPhone, and I'm not a huge fan of the Android, so please, tell me your stories, good and bad.

Thanks in advance,

Randy

 

[sharpen]

I've moved from an iPhone to a Windows Phone.

Windows Phone's interface is quite trimmed down. No gradients, no shadows, no glossy buttons. Only plain colors and typography/text. In a sense, I like the way it looks : clean, pure, and simple. Ideal if you like a phone that's straight to the point and conveniently displays the relevant information, instead of distracting you with fancy user interfaces and eye candy.

Takes some getting used to. But overall, very reliable phone: got mine a year and a half ago and never had to reset it or anything. It's still as fast as the first day I used it despite the fact I have installed many apps.

In my opinion, one killer feature is the predictive text when you type... It REALLY memorizes your typing habits and suggests more and more precise words every time. Sometimes I almost don't have type a thing to write a message (I just click on the appropriate predicted words). Simply pure genius, really. Auto-correct is also really spot-on : it even memorizes "custom" words you use and will adapt its correcting according to them. Windows Phone really, and clearly, surpasses iPhone, Android and even Blackberry in that area. Honestly.

Thing I dislike the most is the Music player. I think the navigation system for the music is not up to par with the ones offered by Android or Apple. Still performs OK though.

If you have specific questions on Windows Phone, you can ask them and I'll gladly answer.

 

[Galengwath]

I bought a pair of Windows Phones for my wife and I last November and we've really enjoyed them. The App selection is considerably more limited than for more established phones, but that doesn't bother me much. The phones work well, the inerface is slick and customizeable, and they look great. Unless there are some Android apps you're particularly attached too, I'd definately say go for a Windows phone if you want one. They're a great option.

 

[rtaylor61]

Thanks for the input!

 

[Christian_V]

If you miss your iPhone why not get an iPhone?

 

[Geoface]

I highly recommend a Windows phone, specifically a Nokia Lumia 928 or the newer 1020 if it is available through your provider. I own the 928 and think it is a highly efficient phone that is easy to use. As mentioned above, some apps are not available for the Windows phone (e.g. Snapchat, instagram etc...) however, I want a smart phone that has smart apps like Microsoft office, Jack of tools, and an accurate GPS system. Microsoft office on the windows phone actually lets you edit spreadsheets and word documents which is awesome if you work with them regularly. Good luck.

 

[OldAF]

I agree with the lack of apps comment. Also, don't assume an app will function the same as it does on ios or android. Example: Pandora seems gimped on wp8. Using android, it displays lyrics and group bios but it won't on wp8. At least, it won't on my el cheapo Nokia 520. I think you get better hardware for the money, at least on the low end of the spectrum. But the apps... meh, not so much.

 

[Micheal Halliday]

I have had just about every kind of phone there is. ( I am in the mobile phone biz )


I would say if you really loved your iPhone, you may want to get another one. Theya re unique in their interface and ecosystem. I personlly do NOT like iPhone so....

I very much liked my Samsung Galaxy phones s2,3,4, but for a number of reasons I now have a Lumia 920.

I like the windows interface for a lot of things. I wish tehre were some quicker ways to change some of the settings, i.e. turn on bluetooth, wi-fi, etc... but in general it is a very nice interface.
I do not play games or use many apps, but I will say I miss the Sirius/XM app to get my sat radio (Android has a nuce app). But Pandora works great.

It is a good time in the world of teh smart phone as they are all pretty amazing so it boils down to :

Love the iPhone, get an iPhone

Need apps, and a lot of flexible settings/ main screen widgets, etc... go Android

Live in the windows ecosystem (as I do using Skydrive/OneNote/ Ms Outlook etc...) Consider teh windows phone.
(Not sure about the value of teh xBox integration as I said, I dont play games.)

You really cannot go wrong here, they are all great environments.

I highly recommend a Windows phone, specifically a Nokia Lumia 928 or the newer 1020 if it is available through your provider. I own the 928 and think it is a highly efficient phone that is easy to use. As mentioned above, some apps are not available for the Windows phone (e.g. Snapchat, instagram etc...) however, I want a smart phone that has smart apps like Microsoft office, Jack of tools, and an accurate GPS system. Microsoft office on the windows phone actually lets you edit spreadsheets and word documents which is awesome if you work with them regularly. Good luck.

 

[p.m.a.]

I very much liked my Samsung Galaxy phones s2,3,4, but for a number of reasons I now have a Lumia 920.

I like the windows interface for a lot of things. I wish tehre were some quicker ways to change some of the settings, i.e. turn on bluetooth, wi-fi, etc... but in general it is a very nice interface.

I agree. I had a Samsung Galaxy Nexus for 2+ years and really got a lot out of it. Over time though it just seemed kinda tedious, having to reconfigure every time I flashed a new ROM. I was looking forward to a solid phone with a great interface that didn't need any customization or configuration.

The only things I really miss are the notification LED and quick access to settings. For example, I hate that I have to dig into settings when I want to modify the audio EQ - why can't I pin Audio to the home screen?

The plus for me is an incredibly smooth and responsive OS, and easy integration to my home and work PCs. I have the Nokia Lumia 928 and it is a solid, handsome device. I'm looking forward to see what Microsoft does with Nokia. I forgot to mention that I'm also happy to give my market share to the underdog (and it's weird for me to think of Microsoft as an underdog!), because competition breeds innovation which is good for consumers, no matter which platform you prefer.

Good luck on your decision, Randy! If you decide you don't like it after a week or two, you should be able to exchange for something else without penalty.

 

[DiG3430]

I don't have one, but I got to play around with a Windows phone (my brother-in-law was trying out potential work phones for the business he does IT for). Seems like it'd be an outstanding work phone since it seamlessly ties into Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. Can't say much about it otherwise.

 

[rtaylor61]

If you miss your iPhone why not get an iPhone?

My carrier doesn't currently offer the iPhone. Rumor is they are getting it, but I can't pony up the full price.

 

[maxman]

I've got an older one running Windows phone 7.1
I really like it. The only negatives are the lack of applications and the zune music player is garbage.

 

[StillShaving]

I am interested in Windows phone owners comments, about what they think of the "windows phone" OS and underlying hardware. I have tried iOS and Android and like them both, but it is interesting how many industry pundits or other OS's give respect to the windows metro interface even though it has very low market share. Some parallels were drawn between the new "flat" ios7 interface and Metro, but I have not processed those comments enough to agree/disagree.

 

[rtaylor61]

My big thing with the phone really is the phone, and email. My Samsung constantly froze, rebooted, and when I wanted to make a phone call, often failed miserably and had to be rebooted. Frustrating when you take a "smart" phone and it won't even function as a phone. I'm currently using a replacedent Android, and often have the same problem. Tell it to dial...and then wait. If I had loaded either phone with programs, I might understand, but that is not the case.

 

[Micheal Halliday]

was wondering how this worked out for the OP?

Get eh WIndows Phone? Like it?