First smartphone: HTC Windows Phone 8X? Also: Windows Phone 8 in general

[flyboy84]

I've been thinking of upgrading to a smartphone for a while now (currently have LG Chocolate Touch, wife has Droid Incredible 4G LTE), and I'm actually considering going with Windows Phone 8.

It sounds like it's a bit of a risk given the tepid support thus far by third party developers, and only Nokia phones have a good competitor to Google maps (Nokia Drive). I have to say that I find the general styling of the OS attractive. I'm hoping now with WP8 supporting C++ development, it will lower the barrier for more high quality third party apps showing up.

With that said, I'm on Verizon, so I'd be going with the HTC 8X, which looks absolutely lovely (I'd want the red one). I know the Nokia 920 has some nice features, but it's too big for my tastes, and it won't be on my carrier anyway.

What do you guys think?

 

[Red Storm]

I had pretty high hopes for WP8, because I thought that it shared the same app store with Win RT/Pro. However I'm told that is not the case, the app stores are different. That's a real shame and a wasted opportunity by Microsoft. They would definitely attract developers if they could say: "Develop one app and it will be seen by every new Windows device be it a desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone." That's a huge market with great cross platform advertising. As usual they screwed it up.

If you rely on certain apps, I would check to see if they're available on WP8 before making the jump.

 

[Face2Face]

You should wait until it's in the stores so you can touch and play with it. I like Windows Phone 8 and the 8X, but I am going for the Droid DNA next week. So far reviews look very good.

 

[s44]

Well, as far as devices go, I think the HTC is at least as good as the Nokia. The WP8 mapping apps all have the same Nokia back end now anyway.

As far as OS... you seem to know what you're getting into. If you don't mind your wife having apps you don't, WP8 should handle the smartphone basics elegantly.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Based on the other threads on Windows Phone 8 it really seems like the platfrom needs another year or so to mature as well as a couple of update before it is truly competitive with Android and iOS.

Verizon has a particularly strong Android lineup at the moment that is worth at least considering , the Droid Razr Maxx HD us unrivaled battery life and great build quality while the Droid DNA is in a league of it's own as far as screen quality is concerned.

There is always the iPhone 5 as well but there really isn't anything to say about it that hasn't been said and debated 100x at this point.

 

[Nintendesert]

I really like WP7 and am looking forward to WP8. I'm deciding now if I want to buy the phone outright to preserve my Unlimited data on Verizon or upgrading on the cheap.

As for apps, there's only been a few times where I wanted an app and couldn't get something. Most other stuff I can find and use. Just don't go in expecting 60,000 fart apps.

The best part of the OS to me as always been how fluid and responsive it is. I runs circles around Android and IOS even when it had inferior hardware. Now the hardware is every bit as good.

 

[smartpatrol]

My GF has the Lumia 920 and it's awesome. It has a lot of cool functionality baked into the OS. E.G. all the photos you take are automatically uploaded to Skydrive.

Xbox live integration is another selling point if you use Xbox. You can earn achievements/points on live-enabled games, view and customize your avatar, send messages via Xbox Live, etc.

The one glaring omission for me is Pandora, but they've already announced it will be coming to WP8.

I guess it depends what kind of apps you need, but for most people WP8 would be a fine choice. I'd take it over Android any day.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

The best part of the OS to me as always been how fluid and responsive it is. I runs circles around Android and IOS even when it had inferior hardware. Now the hardware is every bit as good.

What Android and iOS devices are you comparing it to? The latest Android flagships are buttery smooth (pun intended) and I can't see WP8 being smoother than the iPhone 5 seeing how A6 is pretty quick and iOS has always been fairly efficient.

My GF has the Lumia 920 and it's awesome. It has a lot of cool functionality baked into the OS. E.G. all the photos you take are automatically uploaded to Skydrive.

My Android phones have been doing that with Google+ for ages now.

 

[Chrono]

WP8 is really really snappy. I've been an Android user for the past 3 years almost and an iphone user for the past year+ prior to that. WP8 has made me really happy that I have tried it out. I say that I want more apps... but in reality I only use a few when I need it (yelp, maps, movies, music, video, banking, emails, etc) and they're most there. As for the xbox games, they're pretty much mostly ports now... and unlike iOS/android, most are paid only but you can try it out of course.

 

[TheStu]

What Android and iOS devices are you comparing it to? The latest Android flagships are buttery smooth (pun intended) and I can't see WP8 being smoother than the iPhone 5 seeing how A6 is pretty quick and iOS has always been fairly efficient.



My Android phones have been doing that with Google+ for ages now.

Skydrive isn't the same as Google+. It is more like Dropbox, and since it is baked into the OS, if you have to restore your device, or get a new one, it will just connect once you plug in your credentials. The facebook and twitter updates integrated into the people hub was my favorite thing, plus all the other built in stuff. Local Scout is actually really handy, and good. The built in OCR with language translation, and barcode reading is nice as well. And this is all from 7.5.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Skydrive isn't the same as Google+. It is more like Dropbox, and since it is baked into the OS, if you have to restore your device, or get a new one, it will just connect once you plug in your credentials. The facebook and twitter updates integrated into the people hub was my favorite thing, plus all the other built in stuff. Local Scout is actually really handy, and good. The built in OCR with language translation, and barcode reading is nice as well. And this is all from 7.5.

I know what skydrive is but Google+ has the same effect, it automatically uploads all of your images and videos to the cloud for easy access and sharing. Dropbox for Android can do the same and no setup is required other than installing the app, you have to remember Android doesn't need to have apps baked into the os for them to function like they are.

Additionally Android has far better app and game support and you don't have to keep the phones screen on just to be able to download them (an absolutely moronic design choice on Microsofts part)

 

[dagamer34]

Go check out the HTC 8X at a best buy near you. I would certainly say that the 8X is one of the best designed phones ever made and the really good thing about it is it's 4.3" 720p display, which is rather rare in a phone (you usually have to go up to 4.5-4.8").

I would recommend it to you. I personally got the Lumia 920 because the unlocked price of $450 is cheaper than the 8X, but that only applies to AT&T.

 

[flyboy84]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I am glad to get some reassurance that Windows 8 at least a shot, and that I'm not the only one who thinks the 8X is a badass looking piece of kit

I'll probably dive in after Thanksgiving, maybe wait for a sale on it.

 

[Dominato3r]

I had pretty high hopes for WP8, because I thought that it shared the same app store with Win RT/Pro. However I'm told that is not the case, the app stores are different. That's a real shame and a wasted opportunity by Microsoft. They would definitely attract developers if they could say: "Develop one app and it will be seen by every new Windows device be it a desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone." That's a huge market with great cross platform advertising. As usual they screwed it up.

If you rely on certain apps, I would check to see if they're available on WP8 before making the jump.

It's a different model. MS thinks the tablet is a PC, and so you share applications on your tablets and PCs. That versus the android/apple model of the tablet and phone going together.

 

[TheStu]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I am glad to get some reassurance that Windows 8 at least a shot, and that I'm not the only one who thinks the 8X is a badass looking piece of kit

I'll probably dive in after Thanksgiving, maybe wait for a sale on it.

I am definitely excited about the HTC 8x, I just wish that all the colors were available on all the carriers. The blue looks good, but Dat Red...

 

[darkewaffle]

I'm on Verizon as well and my first choice will probably be the 8X for my upgrade, though I'm going to take a look at the Samsung ATIV as well though before I decide. You definitely have at least two (three if you count the Lumia 822) really solid choices for WP8 on Verizon however, which is a really nice change.

 

[dagamer34]

I'm on Verizon as well and my first choice will probably be the 8X for my upgrade, though I'm going to take a look at the Samsung ATIV as well though before I decide. You definitely have at least two (three if you count the Lumia 822) really solid choices for WP8 on Verizon however, which is a really nice change.

The Samsung ATIV Oddessy is closer to the Lumia 822 than the HTC 8X in terms of size.

 

[vi edit]

Yes, Samsung seriously gimped the Oddessy. The Ativ S looked like a nice phone. This shrunk down 4" thing just looks...meh.

If you read the Lumia 920 thread you'll see my fairly blunt experience with the product.

I'll summarize it like this: A wonderful and ambitious product that was far too rushed(Both the OS and the device). If you can live with the shortcomings of the OS, ecosystem and hardware then it should be a wonderful product for you. I tried it and just couldn't deal with so many compromises.