Is Windows Phone a great platform to take into consideration? Probably not as popular as Android or iOS operating systems, Microsoft’s platform has gained more and more consumers. With launch of Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, powerful smartphones devices have entered into the stage, competing against the large array of Android phones available on the market. Which are the best Windows phones? We’ve made a list with top rated Windows Phones.
1. Samsung Focus S is an incredibly thin, sleek and good looking device that runs Windows Phone operating system. Just like its smaller brother, it is available via AT&T for a higher price of $ 199.99 on contract. What you get for this extra amount? A larger screen, a better rear camera plus a more good looking form factor.
Running Windows Phone Mango, the Focus S comes with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with 480-by-800-pixels resolution, an 8 megapixel camera on the back coupled with a 1.3MP front-facing camera, 1.4GHz single core processor, 16GB of internal storage speca with no microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth plus HSPA+ connectivity.
Basically, this is a speedier version of the original Smasung Focus, improved with better internals specs. It impresses with its thin and attractive form factor, a good and bright touchscreen, excellent camera on the back and smooth performance offered by the new platform. Unfortunately, there is no dual core processor or 4G LTE network.
2. Samsung Focus Flash is a classy yet stylish Windows Phone 7.5 Mango available at AT&T for a reasonable $50 with a new two year agreement. Released in early November 2011, the Focus Flash is made out of durable plastic and features a smaller 3.7-inch Super AMOLED display, being smaller than its bigger brother, the Focus S. Samsung Focus Flash is a compact device that slips easily in your pockets.
Excepting its Super AMOLED touchscreen, it comes also with 1.4GHz processor, only 512MB of RAM, a rear 5 megapixel camera that can caputes videos at 720p along with a VGA front-facing camera and running Windows Phone 7.5 OS version. It has 4G” HSPA+ network, which is not 4G LTE, but is speedier than the 3G network. Like other handsets, it supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS.
The good thing about the Focus Flash is its crisp and right Super AMOLED display used on the most Samsung’s devices. Secondly, it is available for an affordable price tag, which can be a great bargain for those wanting to purchase a smartphone from AT&T. Paired with great specs for a Windows Phone, the Focus Flash has a poor camera quality and uses a plastic construction.
3. HTC Radar is another Windows Phone handset with a beautiful and high quality design. Designed to replace HTC Mozart or HTC Trophy, it comes with a form factor that ressembles with HTC Desire and is not the thinnest or the most attractive Windows phone you have ever seen, but it’s a nice one. HTC Radar has three standard WP7 buttons and comes in white and silver, or gun metal grey. It is available on the market via T-Mobile starting with November 2th 2011 for $100 after a new two-year contract and a $50 mail-in rebate.
It runs Windows Phone Mango, it is equipped with 3.8-inch 800×480 display, a 5 megapixel camera on the back cpupled with a front-facing cam, 720p video capture, 1GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, 8GB internal memory and 1520mAh battery. HTC Radar will come with usual connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, HSPA, Bluetooth, GPS and 4G LTE network.
In comparison with Android, you won’t have the freedom to change, customize, add or customize the user interface. Still the handset comes with a number of pre-installed apps and more de be discovered on Microsoft MarketPlace. There is no NFC feature or a dual-core processor. Optionally, you can get the docking station, which let you charge the phone, while sitting in a landscape position. Moreover, there is no expandable memory available.
4. Nokia Lumia 800 is one of Finnish company’s smartphones that run Windows Phone operating system and released to challenge other top rated devices available on the market. Announced back in October, to the Nokia World 2011 event, the Lumia 800 is considered to be “the first real Windows Phone”. In terms of design, it does look like the N9, being very stylish and catchy, in comparison with all Nokia’s previous phones.
Regarding the internal specs, Nokia Lumia 800 packs a a 3.7-inch AMOLED ClearBlack curved display, 800 x 480 pixel resolution, a rear 8 megapixel camera with no frontal camera, 512MB of RAM, a 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon processor, 16GB of built-in memory. Nokia Lumia 800 has been launched first in Europe in mid-November, followd by an US release date in 2012.
Nokia has finally announced a good phone with a fancy and good looking design. It has a great software with the integration of social network sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Furthermore, it has free streaming music with Nokia’s Mix Radio, the battery life is similar with other devices; after one day of using it, you’ll have to charge it. Sadnly, no front-facing camera included, no microSD card slot and not as many apps as Android or iPhone.
5. HTC Titan is another Windows Phone handset available at AT&T starting with November 2011 for $200 with contract. If the price is too high, you can check out Amazon’s website, where you can take the phone for half price, also with an agreement. Shipping with Windows Phone Mango, it has a large 4.7-inch touchscreen and more good specs inside.
HTC Titan comes with a premium and polished design. Excepting its large screen, you’ll find also a rear 8 megapixel camera, 720p HD video capture along with a 1.3MP front facing cam for video calling. There is a single core 1.5GHz Scorpion processor, only 512MB of RAM, compass and accelerometer, Wi-Fi, GPS, a-GPS, Bluetooth, 16GB of built-in memory.
Its 4.7-inch touchscreen can be a little too large for small hands and unfortunately, there is no microSD card slot available, meaning you are stuck with 16GB storage space. Overall, HTC Titan is a good phone with a stylish yet classic design coupled with a good rear camera.
