[AndroidJay]

Personally, I love everything about the 920 except for the carrier that Nokia decided to go exclusive with in the US. If Nokia would have released their flagship phone on Verizon, I would have purchased it day 1.

However, that is not going to happen for 1 reason or another. I have to look at what is best based on a carrier that simply just works where I travel in the US. I really want to support Windows Phone 8. The HTC 8X looks like a great phone over all. Granted it will lack Nokia Drive and other Nokia exclusive apps.

I like having the top of the line phone. I have to decide if I upgrade now or hope that the rumored Feb/March release for a Flagship phone on Verizon from Nokia is true.

[PG2G]

I thought they were in a transition?

If they're not going all-in, I might have to look into a different company (barring Nokia Drive being Nokia-only, I forget if it will be).

I'm guessing the 8X doesn't have the oh-so-wonderful microphone problem that the original Titan had where everyone said I sounded like I was in a tunnel.

They are all in. They haven't had a new Symbian phone since the 808 as far as I know. They continue to make Asha (S40) phones, but those compete at a price that even wp 7.X phones have a hard time reaching.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Goodness.

I'm likely going with the 8X. My mind may change. Yet here's what I know unequivocally: Windows Phone 8 is coming to market with three excellent phones on the top end.

There. Nokia, HTC, and Samsung have all delivered. Samsung's offering isn't particularly unique, but it brings some S3 gravitas with it and that's a popular phone.

Nokia has beautiful designs and some great features.

And so does HTC.

Frankly, I think Android fans will look at both the 8X and 920 and drool. Apple fans might, but they usually have some pretty heavily shaded glasses that prevent them from seeing greatness in anyone but Apple, though I think privately they will have doubts about Apple's ascendency.

It appears to me that the 8X and 920 have both climbed to the top of the smartphone heap. They have great design, both have great exclusive features that cater to different audiences, and their mobile OS is second to none.

[brmiller1976]

They are all in. They haven't had a new Symbian phone since the 808 as far as I know. They continue to make Asha (S40) phones, but those compete at a price that even wp 7.X phones have a hard time reaching.

The vast majority of their smartphone volume is non WP.

[PG2G]

The vast majority of their smartphone volume is non WP.

I think "all in" has more to do with product planning (all lumia) than it does sales of previously released devices.

[cckgz4]

Christ. What we have here is a much needed ace review to push wp8 forward and there are people whining about it. Pretty sad.

It was a joke

[cckgz4]

Overall the whole "debate" is stupid. Personally I'm glad that there are positive reviews out there versus the other subtly negative ones

[bilzkh]

Honestly I really like the 8S, just wish it had 1GB of RAM.

[jabtano]

What Thurrot said is his point of view, HTC 8x is one nice looking device yes, But so is the Nokia L920 if Nokia hadn't done the exclusive thing with AT&T placing it on Verizon, AT&T, T-MO it would have been hands down lights out. If Samsung had brought the ATIVs State side and done the same it would be the second best selling WP8 device behind the L920. But the factors that are in motion now place the HTC 8X at the top tear on T-MO and Verizon. L920 is exclusive the ATIVs is not coming state side. I'm on T-MO sporting both the HTC HD7 and the Nokia L710, for me the best step would be the HTC 8x

HTC has given equally to Windows Phone. True they don't have the special apps that Nokia does, then HTC has never been known for kick *** apps. Granted the L920 is better than the 8x some people are saying that the L810 IS BETTER THAN THE 8X because of the app features even though overall it's close I don't have a mind supporting HTC as a personal snub to Nokia for making the best WP8 device Exclusive only and then passing out the watered sown version on everyone else

[Old_Cus]

Brother, brothers (and sisters) we need to cut the Nokia/HTC fanboyism (sp?). Brmiller1976 mentioned it twice and I'm going to repeat it. Paul is a major figure whether you agree with him or not and he said that a WINDOW PHONE is the best smart phone in his opinion. I see this a a major win for our platform. After just reading the 920 review in Boy Genius which pretty much said the Lumia fell short because it weighted too much it's refreshing to see an opinion that is so positive. Nokia, HTC or Samsung, it doesn't matter. Positive exposure for ANY phone is a win for the platform. :excl:

[pjs37]

Brother, brothers (and sisters) we need to cut the Nokia/HTC fanboyism (sp?). Brmiller1976 mentioned it twice and I'm going to repeat it. Paul is a major figure whether you agree with him or not and he said that a WINDOW PHONE is the best smart phone in his opinion. I see this a a major win for our platform. After just reading the 920 review in Boy Genius which pretty much said the Lumia fell short because it weighted too much it's refreshing to see an opinion that is so positive. Nokia, HTC or Samsung, it doesn't matter. Positive exposure for ANY phone is a win for the platform. :excl:

To be fair Paul Thurrott covers Microsoft on a whole and he was advocating the Windows Phone way back when it first came out. So its not that big of a deal to be honest. I do usually like what he says and what not but lets be blunt what he likes doesn't really matter on a whole. He started out with a Samsung Prototype device when Windows phone 7 came out.

[brmiller1976]

He's owned a lot of WPs. But he's never claimed they were "the best phone out there." Until now.

[pjs37]

He's owned a lot of WPs. But he's never claimed they were "the best phone out there." Until now.

Sure he has: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/...rapping-142841

Now don't get me wrong I think this barrage of devices is getting more attention than any of the old WP7 devices ever did and I am glad to see it, but I wouldn't quite be saying the battle is won yet.

[brmiller1976]

So, the Lumia 900 is fantastic. Best of breed. Beauty and powerful. And Windows Phone is fantastic. What’s the problem?

The problem is that there’s no apparent place for Windows Phone in the market, no matter how good the device.

That doesn't sound the same as "There is the HTC Windows Phone 8X, and then there is everything else" to me.

[adriel623]

Besides his platform reviews and news digs I don't really care which device he thinks is best. The Lumia 920 has been my choice since day 1. I think the Lumia looks better, the camera is better, the screen and screen tech are better, the integrated apps and exclusive apps are better so therefore regardless of the weight, the Lumia 920 is better.

[brmiller1976]

That's fine. So far, nobody has argued that the 920 is "the" phone, however. Nobody has argued that any Windows Phone is "the" phone up to Paul's article on the 8X. Typically, the only phone labelled as "the" phone is made by a company in Cupertino, CA.

[cckgz4]

The 8x nor the 920 are "the" phones IMO

[adriel623]

Plus, they haven't gone "all in" with WP, either. They actually sell more Symbian and S40 handsets than Windows Phones. The proportion of total WP sales to overall smartphone sales for Nokia in 2012 will be lower than HTC's.

Symbian is their own product. It would've been a different story if they has went with Android. So I do consider them to have gone the full hog.

[Smg-Uk]

Besides his platform reviews and news digs I don't really care which device he thinks is best. The Lumia 920 has been my choice since day 1. I think the Lumia looks better, the camera is better, the screen and screen tech are better, the integrated apps and exclusive apps are better so therefore regardless of the weight, the Lumia 920 is better.

Everything that's "Better" is open for debate the camera and screen ain't better all round.

I hate the way Nokia have taken the Apple approach as in giving things cheesy marketing bs names like "puremotion" & "pureview" at least HTC doesn't come up with all the cr*p.

[brmiller1976]

Symbian is their own product. It would've been a different story if they has went with Android. So I do consider them to have gone the full hog.

Symbian, like Android, is an open-source OS that is used by multiple OEMs. Sony Ericsson was another major producer of Symbian handsets.

[brmiller1976]

The 8x nor the 920 are "the" phones IMO

Says the guy with the scratch-n-dent-out-of-the-box phone :D

[cckgz4]

Says the guy with the scratch-n-dent-out-of-the-box phone :D

LOL dents and all, it's still sexy


Sent from something AMAZING using my pinkie

[BBMINI]

"From a tech specs perspective, the HTC 8X is fairly leading edge for a Windows Phone." This caught my attention as 16GB and lack of gyroscope is far from leading edge.

Just to clarify, does the 8X actually lack a gyroscope? Engadget, AllAboutWindowsPhone and other sources seem to think it has one, but other sites (and comment posts) seem to say otherwise.

From Engadget review Engadget "Finally, you'll find the usual collection of sensors on board: proximity, ambient light, compass, accelerometer and gyroscope."

From AAWP review Windows Phone 8X by HTC unveiled in New York listing "Key Hardware Features": "GPS, Compass (magnetometer), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity and ambient light sensors"

[keizka]

Just to clarify, does the 8X actually lack a gyroscope? Engadget, AllAboutWindowsPhone and other sources seem to think it has one, but other sites (and comment posts) seem to say otherwise.

From Engadget review Engadget "Finally, you'll find the usual collection of sensors on board: proximity, ambient light, compass, accelerometer and gyroscope."

From AAWP review Windows Phone 8X by HTC unveiled in New York listing "Key Hardware Features": "GPS, Compass (magnetometer), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity and ambient light sensors"

Gyroscope and uk release date questions

According to that one poster, there's no Gyro. Then again, I don't know whether the apps he used are updated to work with WP8?

[Mr. MacPhisto]

I don't see any fails or even outright bad phones hitting at launch. We have some lower end phones, a necessity to expand the smartphone market.

The 8S and 810/820/822 are those entry or near entry level phones. Lower MP cameras, lower internal storage to keep costs down, and micro SD expansion. The 8S benefits from the Beats software and is heralded by many as the best looking of all the phones, a perspective I tend to agree with even though I won't get that phone. It has the lower resolution display, but a good enough res that non-techheads will be fine. The Lumia 800s are similar with the ability to run the Nokia apps. Nokia's advantage on the lower end is their apps. HTC's 8S has Gorilla Glass, so it appears to be a bit more durable.

Then there's the high end and WP8 has something for everyone. You want Drive+, City Lens, Pureview with OIS, and 32GB built-in storage, and the highest resolution possible in WP8? The 920 is the only phone for you then and, right now, AT&T is the only carrier for you. It's going to be a great phone and I have no doubt that those who pick it will love it.

Then we've got the HTC 8X. Extra amps, a little bit lighter, good camera (probably just a notch below the 920 in low light, but appears on par with iPhone 5 - and of course does not have OIS). Have heard it sounds about as good as a phone can when playing music out of the phone speaker. Great 720p display and a dedicated photo processor that appears to make it the fastest snapper. Does not have the Nokia apps, but does have Nokia Maps - a huge plus for all of WP8. Stunning phone. Frankly, the 920 and the 8X will cause a lot of phone envy from other users based on their looks. Both phones are stunning. WP8 has the two best looking phones on the market.

Then there's the Samsung. Biggest display size, ultra thin, removable battery, 32GB on board storage and the only premium WP8 device that is able to also use micro SD expansion. If you want a high end phone with a good camera and the ability to store a ton of data/pictures/music locally then this is your phone.

We can debate which is better, but I think its a matter of what each person wants. These phones shows us why Windows Phone 8 is the superior platform, not just because of the OS itself, but by the selection.

With iPhone, you get what Apple wants you to get. With Android, you have tons of variety but there will be a learning curve if you go from manufacturer to manufacturer because there can be a lot of variety in buttons, widgets, skins, etc. You can't pick up someone else's Android and instantly navigate the phone necessarily. You can do that with iPhone, but there's no variety with the phone.

Windows Phone finds the happy medium. If you end up with an 8X but have a friend with a 920, you will be able to work the 920 without any effort if you pick it up. It will have a two stage camera button, just like your phones. You'll know all the functions of the back, start, and search buttons. You'll know what tapping the power button does. You'll know what's in the settings tile. Yet both phones will also look the same and different because the live tiles will tell a lot about who you are. And so will the phone. Different shapes, different colors.

Android can get different colors too, but it's not going to replicate the WP8 experience. Will the Android phone have a physical camera button or not? You know the iPhone won't (hate that - the two stage button is genius).

So let's celebrate diversity. There are hardly any reasons for someone not to get a WP8 over iPhone or Android outside of "but it doesn't have THAT app!". We're getting phones that cover the spectrum and it is only just beginning. It's going to get even better from here. And WP8 can rock iOS and Android quad cores with just dual cores. Wait until the quads come. We've got the best kernel of them all, the best security, the most stability, and the best looking phones. No need to quarrel between different phone fans.