For my 1st smartphone I am considering a Windows phone.

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Rob94hawk

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I currently have a crusty old flip phone with a button keyboard. My wife is trying to get me into the smart phone scene. She has an iphone 5. Went looking at phones at the local Verizon store and the Samsung S3 and the HTC 8x Windows phone both look appealing to me. However I can't decide between the two.

Reasons why I'm looking at smartphones now:

1. The apps. I run often so I would like an app that tracks my runs and distance.
2. Texting. Currently I can only see one line at a time for texting.
3. My house is a cellular dead zone and I know smartphones can pick up my Wifi automatically.
4. Wan't my pics and video to be able to be printed or transferred to my PC.
5. Better quality pics and video.
6. GPS and google maps
7. MP3's/Music for running and lifting.

So running might exclude the S3. It's pretty huge. But what about the Windows phones? Been reading reviews on both and it's not helping my decision. Not interested in an iphone. Any advise/expertise on the situation? I'm all ears. Thanx
 
#4 - both Android and Windows support uploading any pics/videos from the phone to their cloud services (Skydrive/Google+) which you can then access on the pc. You can also of course connect the phone and download directly

#6 - Android has better google maps integration obviously

Running apps I have no experience with. The rest of the points any smartphone can do, so it'll come down to how you like the phone, cost etc.
 
I have a Lumia 900 (WP7) phone and love it. The biggest deciding factor for you will most likely be: Does the App you want to use exist on Windows Phone? You'll want to explore the App Store on the Windows phone to make sure it has what meets your needs. Next will be what you think of the interface. You'll either love the whole Metro tiles thing - or you'll hate it.

That being said - there are many things that require an App on Android and iOS that are just part of the OS in Windows Phone, so for common smartphone operations you may not actually need any Apps on WP.
 
All phones are going to be big for running, you get used to it, you strap it high on your arm. You have not discussed battery life, and if you can I would slide up to the galaxy s4 which I feel had much better battery life than the S3. Every issue there is going to be pretty much a tie except GPS which will have better integration with google.

As a first time phone buyer and someone who has a very old phone, I will say you probably keep a phone for a while. If that is the case you should want one with a removable battery to make for cheap replacements as they go down hill. The 8x has a sealed battery so I would avoid it.

Also the galaxy S4 has some added health apps and sensors you may like for running and so on.
 
1. The apps. I run often so I would like an app that tracks my runs and distance.
Go to www.windowsphone.com and check for yourself.

2. Texting. Currently I can only see one line at a time for texting.
Texting in WP is nice and works well

3. My house is a cellular dead zone and I know smartphones can pick up my Wifi automatically.
WP does do that only if it is enabled by the carrier

4. Wan't my pics and video to be able to be printed or transferred to my PC.
There are apps that can do that

5. Better quality pics and video.
Totally device dependant

6. GPS and google maps
IMHO Nokia Drive+ is MUCH better, available on any WP 8 device and allows for local map storage

7. MP3's/Music for running and lifting.
This is stoage limited unless you get a phone that has mSD Card slot, so far all of the high end phones have left this feature off but the mid range/low end phones have them.
 
I am a big Android Nexus fan, but will admit Windows Phone shows real promise and would be my phone if there were no more Nexus phones. I would highly recommend the Nokia Windows line over the iPhone. For your first smartphone, can't go wrong with the Lumia 928.

Or if you can wait, I think the next generation Windows Phone is due out this Fall; Nov / Dec ?
 
I had android for 4 years, switched to a Nokia 928 in may and couldn't be happier.

Runtastic looks to be a good running app.

I have better luck with the WP keyboard than Swiftkey on Android
My Nokia on 928 prompts for wifi whenever it sees a network. if I have previously connected to one, it will auto connect to it whenever I am in range. my monthly data usage over cellular is below 200mb now (used to be 700-900mb)
Skydrive integration is seamless, will print to e-mail enabled printers. however there is no native HP ePrint app. PrintHand however takes over for it.
 
Sports tracker is a nice running (or walking, cycling skiing etc) app, and it's available for all the big 3 phone OS's (and Symbian too, which is the only reason I know about it)

The app and associated (optional) online service is free because they sell a bluetooth heart rate monitor that links to it. Works fine without if you just want to track time/distance and estimated steps/calories.

I've not used one of the Nokia WP myself, but I understand they come with Nokia Maps, which lets you store the maps on the phone (by state in the US, by country elsewhere), using just a small bit of data for the AGPS fix, good if you don't want to use much mobile data.
 
I also made the mistake of going for a Windows-based phone the first time around. Don't do it. Android or iPhone. Period. In my case it was WinMo 6.x, but WP suffers from the same issue of having no software (though at least the interface is better than WinMo was).

Windows has no apps. Not even Google support. Edit to update: Yes it is improving, but competitors have improved tremendously since WinMo's days, too. Compare WinMo to alternatives in its time and compare WP to alternatives now - if anything, WinMo was better at the time than WP is now, when compared to their competitors. WinMo had no apps, yet it was still one of the best choices back then, before iOS/Android. WP has more apps than WinMo did, but it's still extremely lacking compared to iOS and Android. The people who said I am wrong do not seem to understand this, but in actuality they missed the mark by miles here.

You will very most likely regret going WP.
 
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How important is picture quality? Lumia 1020 is an awesome camera with a phone attached.
 
As far as running apps go, Endomondo, Runtastic, and RunKeeper are probably the 3 biggest on Android. I personally use Endomondo and think its great but all 3 are very highly rated and offer pretty similar features. Keep in mind that these all come in a free version along with a paid version which offers more features. If you run regularly it's a no brainer to upgrade to a paid version.


As far as phones go, I too recommend considering the S4 if you're already looking at the S3. Even though the screen is larger, the phone itself is physically smaller (very thin actually) which is a big plus if you're going to be running with it. Also, since you sound like the type to keep your phone for a while, it's more future proof whereas the S3 is already getting a little dated.
 
HTC 8x is like a crappy version of Lumia 720 black. Shares the same design even.
 
dandragonrage said:
I also made the mistake of going for a Windows-based phone the first time around. Don't do it. Android or iPhone. Period. In my case it was WinMo 6.x, but WP suffers from the same issue of having no software (though at least the interface is better than WinMo was).

Windows has no apps. Not even Google support.

You will very most likely regret going WP.
Click to expand...

WinMo 6.x != Windows Phone 8.x... You don't know what you are talking about.

I went WP8 with an 8x and now a Nokia 928. I love it.
 
I use Google My Tracks for my cycling and walking.

link

It also seems like your gonna need a phone with good battery life or at the least a removable battery when using 4G/WiFi/Bluetooth/GPS when exercising. Large phones are not that heavy even when protected with cases but if thats a bother then I would say to suck it up, your working out.
 
schizrade said:
WinMo 6.x != Windows Phone 8.x... You don't know what you are talking about.

I went WP8 with an 8x and now a Nokia 928. I love it.
Click to expand...

Seriously? That's what you got out of what I said when I already addressed your concern in the post you quoted? It has the same issue with no apps available Never said it's even a similar OS. Don't put words in my mouth, especially when I've already specifically said otherwise.

WP has no apps available, whether or not you think it's similar to WinMo. Period.
 
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I may not like Windows 8 on the desktop but am looking forward to getting a Win8 phone once our company switches to AT&T.
 
kuyaglen said:
I use Google My Tracks for my cycling and walking.

link

It also seems like your gonna need a phone with good battery life or at the least a removable battery when using 4G/WiFi/Bluetooth/GPS when exercising. Large phones are not that heavy even when protected with cases but if thats a bother then I would say to suck it up, your working out.
Click to expand...

LOL! It's not the weight that concerns me. It's the phone flying off when doing sprints.

Thanx for all the info guys!
 
DO NOT GET A WP. COMPLETE JUNK AND I HATE IT. I SO MISS MY DROID PHONE.

Sorry for large cap but i really hate it. I have never used a phone so infrequently. Very small amount of good apps. The ones around are nowhere near the quality of ios and Droid.

No Dropbox!??!?! No Google Talk/Hangouts?! I have to force my own FB Messenger as there is no native one.

Notifications are a joke.

I used to use google voice anywhere so I did not have to type. I can only do that when texting?!

I can rant all day. I cannot wait to stop using this phone. Don't do it.

Waiting Nexus 5 or even an iPhone, which I cannot stand the closed system, however it is getting more Droid like IMO.
 
Rob94hawk said:
So running might exclude the S3. It's pretty huge. But what about the Windows phones? Been reading reviews on both and it's not helping my decision. Not interested in an iphone. Any advise/expertise on the situation? I'm all ears. Thanx
Click to expand...

Here's a question: why aren't you interested in an iPhone? A Windows Phone would cover many of those bases well, don't get me wrong, but the iPhone has more apps, a better media ecosystem, a deeper app for local media syncing, great camera quality and Google Maps. The iPhone 5s even has a dedicated motion processor that's built with fitness apps in mind!

A Lumia 1020 (or the 1520, next month) would be great, but you have to keep an open mind if it's your first smartphone.
 
MC FLMJIG said:
DO NOT GET A WP. COMPLETE JUNK AND I HATE IT. I SO MISS MY DROID PHONE.

Sorry for large cap but i really hate it. I have never used a phone so infrequently. Very small amount of good apps. The ones around are nowhere near the quality of ios and Droid.


Waiting Nexus 5 or even an iPhone, which I cannot stand the closed system, however it is getting more Droid like IMO.
Click to expand...


For the love of Christ please stop referring to Android as Droid. I hate Verizon for confusing a whole class of people into thinking that Android and Droid are synonymous terms. They are not. One is an operating system. The other is a line of phones sold by Verizon which run on the android platform. All droids run Android however there are countless Android phones which are NOT Droids. Understand?

Thank you. This has been your nerd PSA for the day. :D
 
Hey at least he knows that not all smart phones are iPhones.
 
Rob94hawk said:
I currently have a crusty old flip phone with a button keyboard. My wife is trying to get me into the smart phone scene. She has an iphone 5. Went looking at phones at the local Verizon store and the Samsung S3 and the HTC 8x Windows phone both look appealing to me. However I can't decide between the two.

Reasons why I'm looking at smartphones now:

1. The apps. I run often so I would like an app that tracks my runs and distance.
2. Texting. Currently I can only see one line at a time for texting.
3. My house is a cellular dead zone and I know smartphones can pick up my Wifi automatically.
4. Wan't my pics and video to be able to be printed or transferred to my PC.
5. Better quality pics and video.
6. GPS and google maps
7. MP3's/Music for running and lifting.

So running might exclude the S3. It's pretty huge. But what about the Windows phones? Been reading reviews on both and it's not helping my decision. Not interested in an iphone. Any advise/expertise on the situation? I'm all ears. Thanx
Click to expand...

What carrier do you have? You could always test it (Windows Phone) out with a 520/521 (tmob/att) and see if you like it. Cheap phone to start with and no contract necessary.

You made 2 points about the camera; so if you want to do the normal smartphone contract route; do the Lumia 1020. You won't find a better camera phone out there right now (other than maybe the Nokia 808). Only Android that comes close is the sony Xperia Z1 that was recently released; though it lacks a xenon flash.


For the guy who said he has never used his smartphone less; that was kinda the point of Windows phone. Use your phone less to get back to your real life. WP8 is really a fine product and will only get better; sure it's not as polished as iOS/Android but it's only been in this iteration a year.

I have faith in MS to make the purchase of Nokia work for their smartphones.
 
My carrier is Verizon. A package deal too. FiOS/Cell/. I get a discount through my job.
 
dandragonrage said:
I also made the mistake of going for a Windows-based phone the first time around. Don't do it. Android or iPhone. Period. In my case it was WinMo 6.x, but WP suffers from the same issue of having no software (though at least the interface is better than WinMo was).

Windows has no apps. Not even Google support.

You will very most likely regret going WP.
Click to expand...

oh, please......

there was a CRAPLOAD of software for Windows CE (aka mobile). the problem was that it was not in one centralized place for ease of access...
 
dandragonrage said:
I also made the mistake of going for a Windows-based phone the first time around. Don't do it. Android or iPhone. Period. In my case it was WinMo 6.x, but WP suffers from the same issue of having no software (though at least the interface is better than WinMo was).

Windows has no apps. Not even Google support.

You will very most likely regret going WP.
Click to expand...

Please, if you are going to post something, at least post something accurate. Windows Phone has a huge number of apps and programs available. Google is easily usable on it as well for email, maps and other stuff from them.

WinMo 6.x was good but, yeah, it rather lacked a lot of programs. However, it is not even close to be Windows Phone 8 or even 7 for that matter. Windows Phone 8 is fantastic and everything you could want or need is there. http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store
 
Leopardi said:
HTC 8x is like a crappy version of Lumia 720 black. Shares the same design even.
Click to expand...

Not even close. :rolleyes: The HTC 8X works great and I have one. That is a good thing too since T Mobile only had the HTC 8X available when I went to upgrade from the HTC HD7 I was using. (Just wanted something faster hardware wise and newer with a better screen resolution and the newest OS.)
 
dandragonrage said:
Seriously? That's what you got out of what I said when I already addressed your concern in the post you quoted? It has the same issue with no apps available Never said it's even a similar OS. Don't put words in my mouth, especially when I've already specifically said otherwise.

WP has no apps available, whether or not you think it's similar to WinMo. Period.
Click to expand...

Bullshit, the WP has a ton of apps available, stop spreading crap around. :D :rolleyes:
 
MC FLMJIG said:
DO NOT GET A WP. COMPLETE JUNK AND I HATE IT. I SO MISS MY DROID PHONE.

Sorry for large cap but i really hate it. I have never used a phone so infrequently. Very small amount of good apps. The ones around are nowhere near the quality of ios and Droid.

No Dropbox!??!?! No Google Talk/Hangouts?! I have to force my own FB Messenger as there is no native one.

Notifications are a joke.

I used to use google voice anywhere so I did not have to type. I can only do that when texting?!

I can rant all day. I cannot wait to stop using this phone. Don't do it.

Waiting Nexus 5 or even an iPhone, which I cannot stand the closed system, however it is getting more Droid like IMO.
Click to expand...

No dropbox? No native Facebook? I am using the native Facebook app right now so that is wrong. Also, I just did a dropbox search and found no fewer than 4 apps with an official one available so that is wrong too.

Sorry, but, if you do not like something, that is fine. However, like I said to the other poster, please stop spreading crap and inaccurate info around.
 
As a WP7.5 user that just went back to android they each have their positives and negatives.

I love google maps, never used Nokia, but Bing maps sucks and even if you install another navigation app WP won't let it integrate. For example if you have an address in an email and click on it it will launch Bing and not your preferred map application.

WP is more locked down as is expected, let's say you have a PDF and you want to email it. Could luck, you can't. I had to root and unlock my phone to enable that simple capability.

I really like the WP user interface and experience and will probably go back at some point, but the Nexus 4 deal was too good to pass on. I like the way WP displays information and the live tile interface. I now need a bunch of widgets to do what WP did out of the box.

Android won't import FB information due to their strained data sharing relationship with FB. Not sure if this applies to WP, but when I set my WP up it imported my FB contacts, pictures, and their info. Again this might have changed over the past two years.

Android is more flexible, but I find I use very little of that flexibility and never really cared about the "lack" of apps on WP. The Googlevoice support is lacking on WP and that is a downside, but go figure Android has better google app support.
 
Windows mobile was laggy, that was the problem, unlike apple and google it had a huge amount of legacy functionality, its kinda funny its an accident of history. MS was in to early and was to capable, but all that capability couldn't run fast on the hardware of the day. Apple and google come along and they start with nothing, crap like copy and paste not even there, but all that made the ecosystem feel "fluid" to people because it couldn't do much. I still saw people years after android buying old outdated WM phones for access to apps and so on the apps were there, but people who didn't know or weren't smart enough to find them like to rewrite a false history. The funny thing was MS saw this problem and attacked it with windows phone 7.5, but by the time MS got the ball rolling and 7.5 released the game had started to change, now fluidity wasn't as important and there were tons of virgin smart phone users to exploit by selling them $5 apps that used to be free. So now it was MS with the fluid device and apple and google with the software library and trying to push functionality. I don't know if MS will ever catch up, if anyone can it is probably them but they might not, and that is why people say stick with android.
 
WP has a similar philosophy to iOS - less choice, more locked down (but less than iOS), and a curated ecosystem. This is done to benefit users. Android lets you do anything anywhere with the result that it can be quite complex and with that comes some instability as well.

For new users, I always recommend WP. It runs very well even on lower end hardware, is easy and intuitive, and for all the complaints you see from power users most people who use it love it. Because it hasn't been a success (mostly due to Apple marketing), the phones are dirt cheap. The apps are there for most peoples needs, they look and run great, you don't get any bloatware and you get timely updates.
 
At this point in time its all about hardware IMHO. Most of the mobile OSes are pretty similar in feature, performance and apps at this point in time. No one is completely lacking so much so or eclipses the other in apps. IMHO pick a phone you like the most based on the feel, price and specs and what you like. Android is more open has a wide variety of device options, iOS only has iphone, WP is a mixture of both. Personally for this year all those phones you listed are outdated, for WP it would be the 1020 or 928 if 1020 isnt available. Android LG G2, Xperia Z1, Note 3, Z Ultra are the best that you can buy right now, iOS of course is iPhone 5S. My advice is to not buy last years hardware, you will regret it in a year.
 
ManofGod said:
No dropbox? No native Facebook? I am using the native Facebook app right now so that is wrong. Also, I just did a dropbox search and found no fewer than 4 apps with an official one available so that is wrong too.

Sorry, but, if you do not like something, that is fine. However, like I said to the other poster, please stop spreading crap and inaccurate info around.
Click to expand...

I said FB "MESSENGER". It does not. Even the facebook app is a joke. Read the countless negative ratings. It is worse than what the facebook app was on iPhone and "Android" years ago.

There is no native Dropbox. Having individuals or weird 3rd party people whom I've never heard of doesn't make them native or trustworthy.

There are too many cons verses the few positives.
 
MC FLMJIG said:
I said FB "MESSENGER". It does not. Even the facebook app is a joke. Read the countless negative ratings. It is worse than what the facebook app was on iPhone and "Android" years ago.

There is no native Dropbox. Having individuals or weird 3rd party people whom I've never heard of doesn't make them native or trustworthy.

There are too many cons verses the few positives.
Click to expand...

Sheez, I had to look up what a FB Messenger was. Oh, an IM program, no thanks, do not care. I could have sworn that the dropbox program I saw was native but, oh well, I was wrong but, it appears the ones available are pretty decent for basic usage.

Facebook App a joke? Strange, works fine for me. Haters going to hate I guess. I use what works well and for me, it is a Windows Phone 8 phone. Whatever you get OP, let use know please, I am kind of curious.
 
Still loving my Lumia 900 WP7. Runs great, my next phone will be a WP8. I'll never go back to apple, that much is certain.
 
tvdang7 said:
I assume from your picks your budget is probably $100?
Click to expand...

No. I have no problem spending money on a good phone. The question is whether or not I need a $200 phone that has a ton of features I'll never use. However from reading all of this the Samsung S4 looks tempting. I like the battery life as well. I'm in no rush. I'm taking in all the advise and expertise posted here. Was thinking of taking a trip back to the Verizon store soon.
 
ManofGod said:
Not even close. :rolleyes: The HTC 8X works great and I have one. That is a good thing too since T Mobile only had the HTC 8X available when I went to upgrade from the HTC HD7 I was using. (Just wanted something faster hardware wise and newer with a better screen resolution and the newest OS.)
Click to expand...

How so? HTC 8x has much shittier camera, no HAAC microphone, worse GPU, no memory card ability, and battery lasts only half the time of Lumia 720. Oh yeah and the clearback IPS is better quality, you can even see it clearly in the sun, use with gloves and even in low lighting the black levels are so good you can't distinguish where the black bezels begin.

And of course no newest Amber goodies in a HTC product.
 
Leopardi said:
How so? HTC 8x has much shittier camera, no HAAC microphone, worse GPU, no memory card ability, and battery lasts only half the time of Lumia 720. Oh yeah and the clearback IPS is better quality, you can even see it clearly in the sun, use with gloves and even in low lighting the black levels are so good you can't distinguish where the black bezels begin.

And of course no newest Amber goodies in a HTC product.
Click to expand...

Yet, it has a good camera, hi rest screen, I do not need memory card access, the battery is good but could be better and the gpu is good. Sorry, if the phone is junk because it is not better than another, then your phone must be junk ad well. :rolleyes: Oh, and it is not shaped like a brick. :D
 
ManofGod said:
Sheez, I had to look up what a FB Messenger was. Oh, an IM program, no thanks, do not care. I could have sworn that the dropbox program I saw was native but, oh well, I was wrong but, it appears the ones available are pretty decent for basic usage.

Facebook App a joke? Strange, works fine for me. Haters going to hate I guess. I use what works well and for me, it is a Windows Phone 8 phone. Whatever you get OP, let use know please, I am kind of curious.
Click to expand...

The android and ios versions are almost like being on a desktop. The WP8 version of facebook is horrific compared to the others. Again, the complaints in the reviews section is long.

If a person wants a simple phone just for text, simple surfing (I mean very simple), the ability to make calls and doesn't need a plethora of apps... WP8 is fine. Otherwise, stay away. I would even suggest a BB over the WP, yes lol
 
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