[katamari201]

This is honestly the biggest hack of a phone I've seen in years. Even in today's market of rushed out phones, I've never seen one so half-baked and carelessly thrown out to the public. At&t has the exclusive rights to the actual phone, the Lumia 820, that debuted with the 920 as part of Nokia's actual lineup. Since it needed to increase its footprint and availability on other networks even though most of its R&D went into making the now exclusive 820, it released this one night cobbled together sorry thing from some old prototype of the 820 instead. Having variants similar to a standard released phone on other networks isn't anything new. The Galaxy S phones did it. The HTc One X did it. The Optimus G did it. The thing is, each one is uniquely built and has their own merits.

The 810 does not. It's a bigger, bulkier, far far uglier, by the far the ugliest and most stage one prototype rudimentary phone I've seen to date. The 820 made the blocky aesthetic look classy. The 810 just looks like a thick brick, a blackbox, that you test software with. The very first 820 prorotype. No design at all. How Nokia can even release anything of this sort and have their brand stamped on it is beyond me. They have really fallen into disrepute. Even Chinese knockoff companies that operate in the back of hte butcher's stall are jeering. If you buy an aftermarket high capacity battery with cheap, boxy, and hideous cover for the 820, you will basically come out with an 810, but with much better battery life than the paltry 150mah difference the 810 offers.

T-mobile really got the shaft when they were picking up their 820 variant. How they even greenlit such a half-baked brick phone just shows how terrible their management is. They also have the worst phone lineup of any of the carriers. As a T-mobile customer, I routinely have to buy and unlock At&t phones (no 1700mhz band FYI) because T-mobile carries nothing but budget phones at poorly subsidized prices, as well as cast off children from other carriers.

I really advise anyone looking for a smartphone on T-mobile to completely ignore the Lumia 810. Don't use your buying power to continue this travesty. It will only embolden them even more. Next time it will be an actual brick with phone guts and a screen.

[jgbstetson]

I kinda feel your pain as an 810 user. Ultimately, though, I decided to keep it because Nokia does make some great apps and I don't want a purple 8x. Upgrading shouldn't be a choice you fear making, but with tmo's wp8 lineup, it is/was. They're android all the way, and now they're giving a tug job to apple on the side. Great service prices, but you have to live with a crappy selection.

[sravanv]

Wow.

First of all, your comparison in the title makes no sense. 810 is the exact same as the 820. It would be "ostracized twin brother" or something on those lines. But I digress. While I understand that your post is based on PURE opinion, what few facts you DID use are completely off base. You don't seem to be understanding T-Mo's strategy here.

First, I don't believe the phone is ugly. In fact, when the 820 was introduced I was kinda put off by it. Lumia 920 looked nice but for some reason, something about the 820 just didn't turn me on to it. When I saw the 810 I thought it was gorgeous. Yeah it's a little bulkier but I personally love the pure rectangular design. In fact, it reminds me of the iphone's design but a little thicker which I also like. I came from an HTC 8x but while that phone was beautifully designed, the thinness made me uncomfortable.

Second, this phone is built to last. But let's just say that everyone disagrees with me and also thinks this phone is ugly. Let's take a look at T-Mobile's strategy. They focus more on value than features. In order to compete against the bigger AT&T and Verizon, they have to offer plans that cost far less for (relatively) decent service. Of course, we're not talking about T-Mo being on the same stage as Verizon, but for what you're paying, the idea is that you get acceptable service. So far, they have provided that. They continue to emphasize this strategy by completely doing away with subsidized phones and providing lower cost "value" contracts with phones that you purchase for full price.

Turns out, you save a ton more that way anyways. In order for this to work out, they have to keep costs as low as possible. Since they're not going by features, many of the phones that they receive are considered mid-tier. Of course, they do receive a few flagship products (Galaxy S series, Note series, HTC 8X, etc.), but they do get second dibs on everything. That's because it's CHEAPER. Part of their whole we-charge-way-less-than-our-competitors shpiel.

That takes me to my last point. You're talking about your personal thoughts on design. Opinion aside, it's design. Get over it. Nokia has done just about everything else right. I can appreciate wanting a good looking phone but selecting one over another because it LOOKS better is beyond me. You're not gonna look any cooler by bashing one phone's design while touting yours. Get over yourself.

Again, just my opinion.

[fifthGear]

I personally think the 810 is the best looking of the Current Win Phone 8 phones. I just happen to like the simple clean conservative design over something that, from my perspective, looks like a box of crayons (i.e. colorful and child-like looking). I don't really see the OP's reason for posting. Reason would have it that one might do a little research then get the product that best suits you personally; thereby passing by the remaining products. Hence, the OP's purpose of this posting downright eludes me. Quite simply, if you don't like the product pass it by. There are many of us who DO like the product. So, OP, in bashing this device in the very particular way that you do, you judge those of us who have found the device to be a nice fit to our own lives. You may like Rock and I may prefer Classical. Doesn't make Rock better just because it happens to be YOU who likes it. Perhaps your high horse is more a figment of your imagination than any aspect of reality?

[Mystictrust]

Interesting opinion on the 810 you have there... you made it sound like it was some kind of fact. Lumia 820 was never an exclusive to AT&T by the way.

[Cellus13]

If you think the Lumia 810 is ugly then I fear for the condition of your eye sight.

[jgbstetson]

Most of these forum posts are a matter of opinion. I think this post was written out of frustration with tmo more than anything. I was so incredibly pissed about the att exclusivity on the 920. If Nokia has 3 designs, my guess is that tmo gets last pick based on preference for larger markets. Even Nokia can't hit a home run every time. But overall, I'm very pleased with this hardware.

[Guzzler3]

WOW!!

Why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel?

Beauty is really is in eyes of the beholder. I personally really like the 810 over the 920, 820/2, or HTC's offering's.

Whenever someone asks me why I picked the 810, I now tell them it matches my laptop (ThinkPad). Seriously, they really compliment each other.

I buy things for their utilitarianism. Not how much "bling" they have. If a brick functions as well as polished stone, I'll pick up the brick. But again, that's just me.

[MDak280]

I honestly prefer the design of the 810 to the 820. I'm not a fan of the 820's form factor, but I do enjoy the color variety. The 810 has a clean, simple look that I love. The only thing about its design that I don't like is the front of the phone. I think the bezel is unappealing, it should be smaller to match the phone's screen size. But overall it's a very good looking phone - especially in cyan!

[calfee20]

The 810, 820, and 822 are all almost the same except for the visual design.

822 16 gig mem; 1800 mah bat; 1280X960 front camera and Gorilla Glass 2

810 ,,8 gig mem; .......ditto ....................ditto .................................ditto

820 .... ditto .......1650 mah bat; ..640X480 front camera and ...NOOO GG2

There are other slight differences but IMO these are the most important. I will take the bigger battery any day and the lack of Gorilla Glass in the 820 is shameful. Based on looks alone I rate the 810 first 820 second and the 822 last but that is "my" opinion.

[Alex Rodriguez]

810 and 822 have better front camera than the 820

[jiayit]

IMHO 810 looks better than 820, coming from an owner of an 820.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions though.

[katamari201]

Wow.

First of all, your comparison in the title makes no sense. 810 is the exact same as the 820. It would be "ostracized twin brother" or something on those lines. But I digress. While I understand that your post is based on PURE opinion, what few facts you DID use are completely off base. You don't seem to be understanding T-Mo's strategy here.

First, I don't believe the phone is ugly. In fact, when the 820 was introduced I was kinda put off by it. Lumia 920 looked nice but for some reason, something about the 820 just didn't turn me on to it. When I saw the 810 I thought it was gorgeous. Yeah it's a little bulkier but I personally love the pure rectangular design. In fact, it reminds me of the iphone's design but a little thicker which I also like. I came from an HTC 8x but while that phone was beautifully designed, the thinness made me uncomfortable.

Second, this phone is built to last. But let's just say that everyone disagrees with me and also thinks this phone is ugly. Let's take a look at T-Mobile's strategy. They focus more on value than features. In order to compete against the bigger AT&T and Verizon, they have to offer plans that cost far less for (relatively) decent service. Of course, we're not talking about T-Mo being on the same stage as Verizon, but for what you're paying, the idea is that you get acceptable service. So far, they have provided that. They continue to emphasize this strategy by completely doing away with subsidized phones and providing lower cost "value" contracts with phones that you purchase for full price.

Turns out, you save a ton more that way anyways. In order for this to work out, they have to keep costs as low as possible. Since they're not going by features, many of the phones that they receive are considered mid-tier. Of course, they do receive a few flagship products (Galaxy S series, Note series, HTC 8X, etc.), but they do get second dibs on everything. That's because it's CHEAPER. Part of their whole we-charge-way-less-than-our-competitors shpiel.

That takes me to my last point. You're talking about your personal thoughts on design. Opinion aside, it's design. Get over it. Nokia has done just about everything else right. I can appreciate wanting a good looking phone but selecting one over another because it LOOKS better is beyond me. You're not gonna look any cooler by bashing one phone's design while touting yours. Get over yourself.

Again, just my opinion.

Bashing another user and adding "it's my opniion" doesn't really make for a good argument in online etiquette. This forum is designed to both rant and rave about the 810. If one cannot rant about it, it becomes another yes man fanboy forum. I never said anything was a fact. It is pure opinion. You implied all that, defensively I assume. I never attacked any other user, nor even any specific person outside of the forum. I reserved my criticism solely to the company, to the phone, and the carrier. My post also contains many facts. The phone is very overpriced at $549 unsubsidized, and at $99 subsidized you can get the Lumia 920 and many other top tier flagship phones that are better specced and better built than this one. Furthermore, the 820 is exclusive to At&t in the US. That is also a fact, contrary to what you say. The 810 and 822 are variants of the 820, because Nokia does not have the clout to have the same phone on all carriers. You are sounding silly by dwelling over trifling things like child and twin brother labels. I welcome you to disagree with me, but your aggressiveness towards refuting my "opinions" and your constant rhetorical sneers makes me believe you really need to "get over it" way more than I do.

[Mystictrust]

Additionally, the original AT&T press release specifically mentioned the 920 as being an exclusive. Aside from talking about the 820, no mention of exclusivity was given for that device.

[MSFTisMIA]

OP, breathe...

Now that you've gotten that out, I'd say this: the 810's design does have that polarizing effect as some of the reviews have pointed out - either you like it or you hate it, as you do. It's a solid device, no doubt, and for those who like it, think it is the best looking of the 810/820/822 bunch. I wish mine had the 16 GB onboard memory like the 822 does though - otherwise, I have no major beefs with this phone. I passed on the 8X because it just didn't do it for me...I had decided that removable battery and memory card slots were more important.

By the way WPCentral, why is the Lumia 810 NOT listed as one of the PRIMARY PHONE OPTIONS when you first register for this site? If you want to talk about the 810 being a ******* child, it's little things like that and how SLOWLY accessories have become available for this phone are what really grind my gears...

[sravanv]

Bashing another user and adding "it's my opniion" doesn't really make for a good argument in online etiquette. This forum is designed to both rant and rave about the 810. If one cannot rant about it, it becomes another yes man fanboy forum. I never said anything was a fact. It is pure opinion. You implied all that, defensively I assume. I never attacked any other user, nor even any specific person outside of the forum. I reserved my criticism solely to the company, to the phone, and the carrier. My post also contains many facts. The phone is very overpriced at $549 unsubsidized, and at $99 subsidized you can get the Lumia 920 and many other top tier flagship phones that are better specced and better built than this one. Furthermore, the 820 is exclusive to At&t in the US. That is also a fact, contrary to what you say. The 810 and 822 are variants of the 820, because Nokia does not have the clout to have the same phone on all carriers. You are sounding silly by dwelling over trifling things like child and twin brother labels. I welcome you to disagree with me, but your aggressiveness towards refuting my "opinions" and your constant rhetorical sneers makes me believe you really need to "get over it" way more than I do.

Re-read what I wrote about the child metaphor that you used. If you can't understand a second time that it was a side comment then it's not worth it.

You're right, this forum is meant for both bashing and praising. It's certainly not a fanboy forum. You actually DID raise a semi-valid point about the unsubbed and subbed pricing. However, AT&T most likely has some sort of contract with Nokia that allows them to provide better pricing on their phones (with a flagship device included).

Here's what I find hilarious about you. You put your thoughts about the 810 on a forum. Me and a few others called you and your opinions out on it. While you may or may not have meant it, you inferred a lot of incorrect things about Nokia and T-Mobile. I called you out on it. Why are you getting so butthurt? If you can dish it out then you better be able to take it. You're posting on a public forum, you better be ready to get called out when people disagree with you.

As for the "better specced and better built" argument. Is that opinion? Is that fact? I'd call it a hybrid. And the fact portion of it is definitely wrong as mentioned by the others. Re-read the posts dude and quit crying that you got called out.

[Micah Dawson]

I personally dislike the look of the 820 and 822.
the 810 is a lovely looking phone. I love black slabs...teehehee.

[aced411]

Hold it....wait a minute here.... The only thing the 820 has over the 810 is LTE. The 810 has built in wireless charging (we have to buy a shell), the front facing camera is better, more internal storage, weighs less and in my opinion looks better. As an 820 owner, I'm jealous man

[jgbstetson]

Hold it....wait a minute here.... The only thing the 820 has over the 810 is LTE. The 810 has built in wireless charging (we have to buy a shell), the front facing camera is better, more internal storage, weighs less and in my opinion looks better. As an 820 owner, I'm jealous man

all true, but your first two words sum up my only real complaint nicely. Hold it and (for many people) you'll see that it's aesthetics over ergonomics.

[aced411]

all true, but your first two words sum up my only real complaint nicely. Hold it and (for many people) you'll see that it's aesthetics over ergonomics.

Can't say I've held an 810. Fine, we should at least call it even

[snowmutt]

I personally dislike the look of the 820 and 822.
the 810 is a lovely looking phone. I love black slabs...teehehee.

I see what you did there....

I have been having a blast playing with the WP 8's. I have always been extremely bummed that T-Mobile is not available to me. I really don't dislike any of the Nokia 8XX designs. I loved the feel and performance of the 822 at Big Red. I certainly do not mind the looks of the 810. Most of the comments I remember LOVED the look of the 810, thought the 822 was dull, and the 820 is the "I don't love it, but I don't hate it either" response. I am going to make it my mission to get to the T-Mobile store in Champaign IL and try one out. I just like it as an option. T-Mobile has a very clear carrier vision, and I do appreciate what they bring to the table.

Let's hope the addition of the iPhone and iPads do not ruin a good thing.

[metalchick719]

The 810 is far from "bulky" or "blocky." Oh, please... It's the perfect smartphone for T-Mobile users. Don't like it? Then just go with something else instead of whining about it when many of us are pleased with the phone.

Wanted to add that I just finally saw the 822 at the Nokia kiosk at the mall when I was there on Monday with my boyfriend... Just like the 810, it's a LOT nicer looking in person.

[dainla]

Bashing another user and adding "it's my opniion" doesn't really make for a good argument in online etiquette. This forum is designed to both rant and rave about the 810. If one cannot rant about it, it becomes another yes man fanboy forum. I never said anything was a fact. It is pure opinion. You implied all that, defensively I assume. I never attacked any other user, nor even any specific person outside of the forum. I reserved my criticism solely to the company, to the phone, and the carrier. My post also contains many facts. The phone is very overpriced at $549 unsubsidized, and at $99 subsidized you can get the Lumia 920 and many other top tier flagship phones that are better specced and better built than this one. Furthermore, the 820 is exclusive to At&t in the US. That is also a fact, contrary to what you say. The 810 and 822 are variants of the 820, because Nokia does not have the clout to have the same phone on all carriers. You are sounding silly by dwelling over trifling things like child and twin brother labels. I welcome you to disagree with me, but your aggressiveness towards refuting my "opinions" and your constant rhetorical sneers makes me believe you really need to "get over it" way more than I do.

It was a ridiculous, childlike, churlish "rant."

I honestly don't know what the point was.

[unstoppablekem]

Did you know the 810 and the 822 have better front cameras than the 820? :)

[markdotinc]

I hate to say this, but your opinions are straight up poorly formed. Your only argument seems to be that you subjectively dislike the design-- one that the majority of L810 users have touted. It's not a prototype and it's not half-assed; it does. however, have an aggressively minimalist design which you are clearly not capable of appreciating.

You are welcome to have your opinions, just keep it to yourself if its a dumb one.