Best Windows Phones: Holiday 2014
by Brett Howse on December 3, 2014 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- HTC
- Microsoft
- Mobile
- windows phone
- Blu
Phablet: Nokia Lumia 1520
Although the Lumia 1520 has been out for over a year now, there still is no real competition to it if you are after a Windows Phone phablet. The 6 inch behemoth still packs a punch too with the Snapdragon 800 SoC inside, which we found transformed the Windows Phone experience when we reviewed the Lumia 930. Also shared with the Lumia 930 is the excellent 20 megapixel 1/2.5” camera coupled with optical image stabilization and a six element lens with Zeiss optics.
The six inch display has a 1080p LCD with Glance support, a ClearBlack polarizer layer, and per pixel Content Adaptive Backlight Control for superior outdoor visibility. With 368 pixels per inch, it does not quite reach the insane 500+ ppi of some devices, but should still provide a crisp clear image. Nokia also includes Super Sensitive Touch, which allows the touchscreen to be operated with gloves on – a great idea at this time of year.
| Nokia Lumia 1520 | |
| SoC | MSM8974VV 2.2 GHz Snapdragon 800 |
| RAM/NAND | 2 GB LPDDR3, 32 GB NAND + microSD 128 GB |
| Display | 6.0” 1920x1080 IPS ClearBlack LCD Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Network | GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSPA/LTE up to 150 Mbps |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 85.4 x 8.7 (mm) |
| Weight | 209 grams |
| Rear Camera | 20MP, 1.1 µm pixels, 1/2.5" CMOS, f/2.4, 26 mm focal length, Dual LED Flash |
| Front Camera | 1.2 MP wide angle, f/2.4, 1280x720 video resolution |
| Battery | BV-4BW 3400 mAh, 3.8 V, 12.92 Wh |
| OS | Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Cyan Firmware |
| Connectivity | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac + BT 4.0, USB2.0, DLNA, FM Radio |
| Location Technologies | Cellular and Wi-Fi network positioning, A-GPS, A-GLONASS, BeiDou |
| SIM Size | Nano SIM |
The 1520 has 32 GB of internal NAND, and support for an additional 64 GB through microSD if you find yourself craving additional storage.
The large form factor allows Nokia to pack a 3400 mAh 3.8 V battery into the 1520 as well, so all day computing on your smartphone should be no problem at all.
If you want a phablet, and you want Windows Phone, this is the device to get, and you can find it for less than $500 now.
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Drumsticks - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
Yeah, I saw the 1030 rumors. It's part of what is making me willing to wait. I also saw something somewhere that it might be looking at a MWC reveal.The 830 I think definitely could have had a 610. That SoC was already shipping in several HTC phones $50-100? Less expensive, so I think they just dropped the ball there.
Penti - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
The consolidation was with WP8.1 and W8.1, and it's still two different OS's and will continue to be. You will not be able to build WP-Silverlight apps for Windows 10 desktops.JoBalz - Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - link
Drumsticks: I agree with the 2nd part of your post. While I didn't like using the METRO UI much on a desktop, I absolutely love it on my phone (and on the Windows tablets I've tried). There as far as I'm concerned the OS shines. And I know people are going to get tired of me posting this, but CORTANA is the crown jewel of Windows Phone 8.1. Having read of it and seen the commercials, I had figured it would be an interesting "toy" but now that I've used it, it has very accurately provided answers to every question I've thrown at it (even a few I selected to see if it would 'understand' some of the words. Looks like Cortana is pretty fluent, especially with my Texas/Arkansas 'twange'. She and I are going to become best buds, I can already see that (and think this might be one Windows Phone feature that I actually would like to see available for the PC desktop as well as tablets. Android has never captivated me and iOS, while it may be a good mobile OS, I refuse to pay the 'Apple Tax' just for the bragging rights for using an Apple product. My little Nokia Lumia was as sleek and useful to me as any $500 plus iPhone.kspirit - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
Desperately waiting for the global release of the M8 with Windows. The 930 with it's lack of glance and the heating/battery issues doesn't justify the $650 pricetag it has in my country. HTC usually gets it right, and all the reviews for this M8 are very positive!Luc K - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
I would have added the 730/735. At least it brings something 'new' with the 24mm wide-angle front camera and it has a better display I believe than the 830. Pricing is around $200 so great value. Only issue is delay being available in US.kspirit - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
This. The 730 is much more bang for buck than the 830 is, if you can forgive the lack of glance and camera button. And IMO, Microsoft did this poor phone wrong; if the 720 could have those things, so could the 730, since they were launched at near identical price points, and that was TWO years ago.Brett Howse - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
I just got the 735 in for review. It's a nice little phone I love the size and the in-hand feel is great. We'll see if the display is "better" but I am a big fan of OLED on Windows Phone. The camera doesn't seem as good from initial impressions (which isn't a surprise of course) and the lack of a camera button is a big omission. The biggest to me though is Glance. The 830 also has the bonus of worldwide availability whereas the 735 may not even come to North America.The 830 brings a lot to the plate over the 735, but that doesn't make the 735 a bad phone for the right price.
kspirit - Thursday, December 4, 2014 - link
Oh, then I'm very eager to see your review for it. I am hoping to get it as a second phone for my work SIM + I am a selfie addict! haha.With all the details AnandTech articles contain, I look to this site for the best reviews on the web!
Thanks. :)
3ricss - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
Finally gave up on my 2 year old 920 and just jumped into HTC's One for windows on AT&T. Love this phone. I can see why it was so loved by the Andriod community. Unfortunately for me this might be my last venture with WP. I love WP UI/UX but the app scene which made huge improvements during 2013 has since gone down hill a bit. Obviously it's because developers are holding out for WP10. So, I guess I'll hold on one more time. If it doesn't work out than iPhone 7 will be my next. Fingers crossed though.sorten - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
I don't see anything to tempt me away from my 920. I don't want a 5" or larger phone. I'm probably waiting for the WP10 devices at this point.