Any New Windows Phone in the Pipeline

[elitejp]

I used a windows 7.5 phone before that I thought worked pretty well and always thought it seemed pretty snappy so overall i liked what windows offered. Im currently on a samsung s4 that works fine for what I do,mainly social media apps, no gaming. I do like taking pictures and have built up a very expensive dslr kit that stays at home more than i would like but of course my phone is with me everywhere. So quality pictures from the phone is a big plus. I dont need to upgrade or switch phones but I am interested in whats out there. So are there any thoughts about windows ecosystem? Thanks

 

[mmntech]

I doubt we're going to see any new hardware until Windows 10 comes out.

I think if you want a phone to take pictures, the Lumina 930 will be your best bet. 20 megapixels, 1/2.5'' sensor, f/2.4 aperture, 4K video support. I don't know where it's sold though. Seems pretty hard to find. Which is a big issue with a lot of Windows phones.

The 830 is widely available. Has a 1/3.4'' sensor, 10 megapixels, and a f/2.2 aperture. Both phones get strong reviews for their camera.

As for the app ecosystem, well, it's not at good as iOS or Android. The most popular apps have been ported but you may have trouble finding others. Windows Phone is an "if we have time" platform for developers. Really boils down to what you need.

 

[Belegost]

Highly recommend waiting for WP10, which should launch with new handsets. MS has hinted at new flagship devices recently, so fingers crossed this includes a new camera focused model as an update to the L1020.

 

[notposting]

I would wait to see if they release a camera oriented flagship this fall. The Icon/930 are okay. But something including a) big arse sensor; b) xenon flash, damnit; c) modern hardware inside for blazing shot-to-shot time; d) another camera grip like accessory.

If they can do that, I (likely) buy. If not, I start hoping the iPhone 7 (Plus?) has wireless charging integrated and hopefully a xenon flash (they picked up some Nokia imaging people over the last few years).

(of course, with the complete gutting of everything that made Windows Phone, Windows Phone, and simply turning it into "Windows Mobile 10.0, Stylus not included" I'm not sure I'll be hanging around anyway /rant)

 

[Crono]

Wait until after Mobile World Congress next week, at least. I'm not aware of any flagship-level Windows Phones coming out right now, but it might be worth waiting at least that long just in case any other phone piques your interest.

If no new phones are launched soon, though, and if you can get a Lumia 929/930 (including AT&T's Lumia 1520 or Verizon's Lumia Icon) now, it will be pretty good for a while, I think. I had the 1520 and currently have an Icon and both have been excellent and are now up to date with Denim. You will be able to get Windows 10 on these phones when it launches, too.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Highly recommend waiting for WP10, which should launch with new handsets. MS has hinted at new flagship devices recently, so fingers crossed this includes a new camera focused model as an update to the L1020.

They did? Not being a contradick, I'm actually interested but didn't hear about that.

I'm very interested in seeing what they do. I'm hoping they'll try to release a legitimate flagship to compete with the iPhone and Android's top phones.

I've been kinda baffled that there hasn't been more rumors or evidence of something since Windows 10 is out in the late summer and fall so I'd expect there would be something being chattered about but I rarely see them mentioned at all, let alone for anything about nice new phones. I was really hoping they'd try to do a wow product to push Windows 10.

I've been disappointed in their new low-mid tier handsets too, they seem really disappointing like they effectively are almost skipping a year. But they made big changes for little reason and am not liking the case designs with the silver (aluminum supposedly on some) border and the other weird things they're doing.

Actually the best news seems to be that the HTC M9 should be likely to get a Windows Phone variant like the M8 did.

 

[Chrono]

Just got Denim for my 1520... feels great! I'm actually getting really excited for Windows 10 for Mobile... COME ON MS!!!!!

 

[Denly]

I believe 1020 still has the best camera amount any cel phone, if you can score a 1020 in the $200 range you can ride it out till 10x0 arrive in Q3.

I have seen a lot of people claim the current gen of 830/930 has worst lowlight performance than 920/925, if pic is #1 on your list go for 1020.

Also wp 8.x offer much greater performance and feature set compare to 7.5 but it also lost some of the simplicity of it.

 

[zokudu]

I'm waiting on a successor to my 920 on AT&T. I did hear they're planning a flagship style phone this year to coincide with the W10 release. If it's not too expensive off contract I could definitely find myself buying one.

 

[IamDavid]

I'm waiting for the next flagships. Hoping to support a non MS phone to start with, maybe an HTC. I love my past three Nokias but id like to try something new. Currently running the 1520 and can't give it up for anything inferior.. First phone that allowed me to fully drop non WP devices.

 

[Graze]

In other news Microsoft just closed two manufacturing plants in asia.

 

[notposting]

I believe 1020 still has the best camera amount any cel phone, if you can score a 1020 in the $200 range you can ride it out till 10x0 arrive in Q3.

I have seen a lot of people claim the current gen of 830/930 has worst lowlight performance than 920/925, if pic is #1 on your list go for 1020.

Also wp 8.x offer much greater performance and feature set compare to 7.5 but it also lost some of the simplicity of it.

I endorse this post fully

 

[lopri]

What is "icon" and what is "denim"?

 

[Skel]

What is "icon" and what is "denim"?

icon is a Windows Phone on Verizon, Denim is a Windows Phone update that added stuff.

 

[Belegost]

They did? Not being a contradick, I'm actually interested but didn't hear about that.

I'm very interested in seeing what they do. I'm hoping they'll try to release a legitimate flagship to compete with the iPhone and Android's top phones.

I've been kinda baffled that there hasn't been more rumors or evidence of something since Windows 10 is out in the late summer and fall so I'd expect there would be something being chattered about but I rarely see them mentioned at all, let alone for anything about nice new phones. I was really hoping they'd try to do a wow product to push Windows 10.

I've been disappointed in their new low-mid tier handsets too, they seem really disappointing like they effectively are almost skipping a year. But they made big changes for little reason and am not liking the case designs with the silver (aluminum supposedly on some) border and the other weird things they're doing.

Actually the best news seems to be that the HTC M9 should be likely to get a Windows Phone variant like the M8 did.

Check http://www.windowscentral.com/micro...ne-flagship-will-arrive-once-windows-10-ready

 

[Commodus]

So there are two new Windows Phones, the Lumia 640 and 640 XL:

http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/02/microsoft-lumia-640-xl/

Sadly low- to mid-range, but they're at least welcome replacements for the 630/635 (which felt unnecessarily hobbled). I wouldn't be surprised if any high-end models wait for Windows 10, or at least another interim Windows Phone 8.1 update.