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Criteria
Comments
Rating
- Reception and call quality Skype works well
- Display Nice display, on a par with my wife' Galaxy Note, but just a bit smaller
- Battery life Too early to tell yet, but the charge time is fast.
- Camera Really easy to use and excellent results so far
- Ease of use Live tiles are way ahead of Android or iOS grids
- Design and form factor Good solid feel, big enough without being over the top
- Portability (size / weight) Just right for a jacket pocket
- Media support No SD slot, but 16Gb is enough for my needs anyway
- Durability Haven't thrown it around yet, but I suspect it could be a 5 out of 5
- Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.) Still a bit limited, but I can get most of the apps I use most of the time.
Detailed review
I decided to dive into the WP8 world after 3 years with a Nexus One, and although I am fairly happy with Android it was time for a change. I am a convert already after 3 days! I am much more impressed with the UI than I thought I would be, it is slick and stylish, and far more flexible than I could manage previously. The live tiles are great, and the ability to build a really effective home screen is going to be invaluable once I have experimented a bit more.
As for the hardware itself, it is a really solid bit of kit. The buttons and rocker switch are almost within the body itself, yet function surprisingly well. It feels as though there is nothing to bend or break. Both cameras have worked well so far, and the speaker is much better than my old Nexus in speakerphone mode. If I had to be picky I would have rounded the corners off just a little bit more, but the polycarbonate body has a nice grippy feel. Although there is no SD Card slot, I have no intention to use a lot of video, so I'm confident that 16Gb will be just fine.
For me the core apps are there, with nice integration with Office and Skydrive, as well as all the usual utilities. But yes it is missing some of the niches that have been filled in the more mature platforms. There is no Good Beer Guide or traffic/accident reports app from the RAC, and I'm sure most people would find one or two things they would miss if making the switch.
However, overall I can highly recommend the device. At £399 unlocked I am very happy with my purchase, and sure it will only get better as the eco system grows.
As for the hardware itself, it is a really solid bit of kit. The buttons and rocker switch are almost within the body itself, yet function surprisingly well. It feels as though there is nothing to bend or break. Both cameras have worked well so far, and the speaker is much better than my old Nexus in speakerphone mode. If I had to be picky I would have rounded the corners off just a little bit more, but the polycarbonate body has a nice grippy feel. Although there is no SD Card slot, I have no intention to use a lot of video, so I'm confident that 16Gb will be just fine.
For me the core apps are there, with nice integration with Office and Skydrive, as well as all the usual utilities. But yes it is missing some of the niches that have been filled in the more mature platforms. There is no Good Beer Guide or traffic/accident reports app from the RAC, and I'm sure most people would find one or two things they would miss if making the switch.
However, overall I can highly recommend the device. At £399 unlocked I am very happy with my purchase, and sure it will only get better as the eco system grows.
good review!
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