I jumped from iPhone to Lumia!

[Wbutchart]

I have been a consistent iPhone user for about 6 years, never looked beyond them. However recently using an iPhone has not been as convenient, it crashes, it does not always do what is expected. At the same time, Microsoft has been releasing some impressive apps, the office apps and one drive are a great combination. So as I reflected on whether to go sim only when my mobile contract expired, a new alternative came to mind, try a Lumia.

So I got a Lumia 535 for a third of the monthly price I would pay for a mid range iPhone. Now I don't game on my phone or anything like that, the 535 would not like that, so this is speaking of using the phone as a communication device. I have been amazed by the 535, great phone, very fast, very cheap.

Overall my growing frustration was that recently I feel Apple spend their time drinking champaign and clapping one another on the back about how awesome they are, Microsoft seem to be working their tails off, one every front, iOS, android, windows, they are releasing software and frequently updating it (plus building windows 10 on pc and phone). They seem motivated, hard at it, Apple struggle to muster the energy to update their os when major bugs come to light. So I changed across, and I don't regret it. Still have my iPad, no plans to change that, through the new surface 3 is somewhat appealing.

 

[maflynn]

Windows phones are very good and underrated. I have a Lumia 830 for my kids as a "family" phone they can take from time to time.

iOS is much more robust and polished, as are the phones. While you may not like the direction of apple, they do have great products and the ecosystem is by far the best out there imo.

I'd love to see the windows mobile platform grow and be a contender, though right now the numbers are not supporting that.

Congrats on your new purchase.

 

[JaySoul]

Just wish that Microsoft had started 3 years earlier, and will be interesting to see if they partner with Cyanogen.

 

[maflynn]

Just wish that Microsoft had started 3 years earlier, and will be interesting to see if they partner with Cyanogen.

As they roll out apps/services to iOS, and Android, I feel like this is their "plan b" in the event windows fails. They seem to be working hard to investing in other platforms, which is decreasing the value of the Windows platform, i.e., no real differentiators that make windows phones special.

 

[rocknblogger]

I went to a Microsoft store a couple weeks ago and I must say that I was very impressed with their offerings. I was surprised to find that the Surface was very lite and very responsive. I don't know why but I expected it to be heavier.

The phones also surprised me in how smooth and intuitive the interface was. While I own many iOS apps I can live without if need be. At this point I'm waiting to see what the iPhone 6S is going to be like. I guess at this point I'm 50-50 as to which phone I'll get this fall.

 

[Savor]

My gf actually wanted to jump from her Android which has horrendous battery life with 20% losses just in standby mode overnight to my Nokia Lumia 635 which has OUTSTANDING battery life and louder external speaker than her Kata F1s. But I warned her about losing apps like SwiftKey, MoboPlayer, QuickPic, and games which are free on Android. So she decided to stick to Android and use the 635 as a backup. We both LOVE Nokia but the platform hasn't improved much in the app catalog compared to the other two. If Nokia can duplicate making an Android device next year with the same price and battery life as the 635, we would be all over it. Love Nokia, still wishy-washy with Microsoft Windows Phone...

But I love Windows 8.1 on my ASUS Transformer Book T100. I thought I would hate it but I find it much more useful than an Android tablet. I wanted a MacBook Air but I have never been invested in the whole Apple ecosystem to really care. With ASUS, I got it for a quarter of a price of a MacBook Air and can remove the screen if I like. I am alot more picky with apps on a mobile OS. On a desktop or tablet, I don't need that many apps or programs. That's why Windows 8.1 is more catered for me on a bigger screen for media consumption than on mobile where I need specific apps like SwiftKey, QuickPic, etc. So Android for mobile. Windows PC for desktop. Don't see it changing the rest of the decade.

 

[Wbutchart]

Thankfully I don't use a massive amount of the missing apps and love that the seedy snapchat is not there (a mark of integrity in my opinion!).

What I have found as mentioned batter life is bewilderingly good, even with heavy routine use, easily 50% left at the end of the day, and this is a low end device. For productivity it thrives, the word flow (swipe) keyboard it has by default means that doing actual work is a possibility. The 8.1 office version is not very advanced and freaks if tables are in a doc (won't open them!) but this will change in 10. However for word processing it is very useable. The integration to iCloud was a surprising bonus, all my stuff transferred, emails, contacts, the calander still syncs with shared iCloud ones.

So far I am surprised, a really cheap phone, but its holding its own as a smart phone and for the things I need.

 

[Savor]

I like Windows 8.1 on tablets/desktops because it can look good in portrait and landscape mode. Perfect for larger screens. With Android and iOS, I always want to use a Nexus 7 and iPad in portrait mode unless I am typing or watching a video. Metro UI is really slick. It interested me early on with the Zune HD in 2009.

I am really ROOTING for NOKIA to really kick butt next year in whatever OS they choose to use. Nokia is one of the all-time greats. This is why Apple avoids suing them or they will lose in court. Respect the pioneers like Motorola and Nokia. My first GSM phone, color screen phone, and smartphone were all Nokia. I still love this Finnish company. I want to see them succeed just as much as Windows. My gf and I rank Nokia in our Top 3-6 favorite phone OEM's ever. Nokia is just RELIABLE to us. I have a buddy who owned a Nokia for over SIX years. He lost it and was buried in the sands of Qatar. He retrieved it and still works. Nokia's STAYING POWER.

Imagine the Lumia 635 only has a 1830 mAh battery with a 9 hr & 35 min rating from Phone Arena? As good as the OnePlus One and many other flagships at 10-15x the price! Nokia managed to squeeze alot out of a sub-2000 mAh battery. Many Androids have the same resolution and battery capacity but can only get half the SOT. Nokia have made some of the best phones at under $50. This is the real genius from Nokia. Not Microsoft.

 

[I7guy]

I have been a consistent iPhone user for about 6 years, never looked beyond them. However recently using an iPhone has not been as convenient, it crashes, it does not always do what is expected. At the same time, Microsoft has been releasing some impressive apps, the office apps and one drive are a great combination. So as I reflected on whether to go sim only when my mobile contract expired, a new alternative came to mind, try a Lumia.

So I got a Lumia 535 for a third of the monthly price I would pay for a mid range iPhone. Now I don't game on my phone or anything like that, the 535 would not like that, so this is speaking of using the phone as a communication device. I have been amazed by the 535, great phone, very fast, very cheap.

Overall my growing frustration was that recently I feel Apple spend their time drinking champaign and clapping one another on the back about how awesome they are, Microsoft seem to be working their tails off, one every front, iOS, android, windows, they are releasing software and frequently updating it (plus building windows 10 on pc and phone). They seem motivated, hard at it, Apple struggle to muster the energy to update their os when major bugs come to light. So I changed across, and I don't regret it. Still have my iPad, no plans to change that, through the new surface 3 is somewhat appealing.

A windows phone would be my second choice after iphone, the one problem the phone is not supported in the BYOP program.

 

[maflynn]

Thankfully I don't use a massive amount of the missing apps and love that the seedy snapchat is not there (a mark of integrity in my opinion!)..

I think its less about integrity and more that snapchat decided to not develop the app on that platform. I agree though, its definitely a positive thing. I have two girls, and that's one app they'll never have on their phones.

 

[csixty4]

But I warned her about losing apps like SwiftKey

The native Windows Phone keyboard supports swiping if that's what you're worried about giving up.

 

[Even Longer]

I have been a consistent iPhone user for about 6 years, never looked beyond them. However recently using an iPhone has not been as convenient, it crashes, it does not always do what is expected. At the same time, Microsoft has been releasing some impressive apps, the office apps and one drive are a great combination. So as I reflected on whether to go sim only when my mobile contract expired, a new alternative came to mind, try a Lumia.

So I got a Lumia 535 for a third of the monthly price I would pay for a mid range iPhone. Now I don't game on my phone or anything like that, the 535 would not like that, so this is speaking of using the phone as a communication device. I have been amazed by the 535, great phone, very fast, very cheap.

Overall my growing frustration was that recently I feel Apple spend their time drinking champaign and clapping one another on the back about how awesome they are, Microsoft seem to be working their tails off, one every front, iOS, android, windows, they are releasing software and frequently updating it (plus building windows 10 on pc and phone). They seem motivated, hard at it, Apple struggle to muster the energy to update their os when major bugs come to light. So I changed across, and I don't regret it. Still have my iPad, no plans to change that, through the new surface 3 is somewhat appealing.

Congrats!

I was in a similar Situation as well: using iPhone exclusively (and Apple in General). I was at a decision point about switching to Windows Phone vs Blackberry.
I went the Blackberry Passport road (and couldn't be happier), but I will certainly check the upcoming WP Flaghship out.

 

[Breaking Good]

Just my $0.02.

Apple sells smartphones (the iPhone) and accessories for their smartphones.

Everything Apple is doing now is designed with maintaining and improving iPhone sales.

Since Apple and Google knocked Microsoft off their high horse a few years ago, they've realized that they really need to compete using their strengths.

Microsoft's strength is the prevalence of their OS (especially in Enterprise) and their productivity suite of products.

Microsoft will never catch iOS or Android, but they can position Windows phone as an accessory to Windows based PC's and use it to enhance sales of their Windows OS.

From what I've seen, the Lumia phones look like great value for the money. Hopefully Microsoft will keep with that model and not try to release some $800 flagship phone the flagships from other smartphone makers (i.e. Apple, Samsung, HTC, LG, Motorola).

 

[sracer]

Congrats to the OP. I'd still be using my Lumia as a phone if it wasn't so difficult/impossible to use Google services on it.

 

[BigRed1]

Looks possible that the about to be released lumia 640 might be $89. If that's the case, I'm trading in my android phone for it as soon as possible.

 

[Breaking Good]

Looks possible that the about to be released lumia 640 might be $89. If that's the case, I'm trading in my android phone for it as soon as possible.

Is that on contract or off?

 

[BigRed1]

Is that on contract or off?

Off!

Apparently Microsoft accidentally posted the price early for a while on their own website. Keeping my fingers crossed that the price stays the same on T-Mobile.

 

[Breaking Good]

Off!

Apparently Microsoft accidentally posted the price early for a while on their own website. Keeping my fingers crossed that the price stays the same on T-Mobile.

At that price I think I will have to get one.

It really seems like Microsoft has decided to play a game of undercutting Apple's premium pricing on the iPhone.

I don't think Apple has anything to worry about in the short-term. But I can't help but wonder how long people will be willing to pay $650 for an iPhone when you can get an acceptable smartphone for $89.

Yes. I know Apple doesn't compete on price. But Enterprise/business is very price (cost) conscious. It's hard to justify paying $650 for something acceptable can be had for $89, especially when you have to buy hundreds or thousands of them.

 

[maflynn]

I'm waiting and hoping MS does introduce some flagship phones once windows 10 comes out. I am happy with the Lumia 830, even though it is for my kids, I frequently pop my sim in it

 

[Mildredop]

I have been a consistent iPhone user for about 6 years, never looked beyond them. However recently using an iPhone has not been as convenient, it crashes, it does not always do what is expected. At the same time, Microsoft has been releasing some impressive apps, the office apps and one drive are a great combination. So as I reflected on whether to go sim only when my mobile contract expired, a new alternative came to mind, try a Lumia.

So I got a Lumia 535 for a third of the monthly price I would pay for a mid range iPhone. Now I don't game on my phone or anything like that, the 535 would not like that, so this is speaking of using the phone as a communication device. I have been amazed by the 535, great phone, very fast, very cheap.

Overall my growing frustration was that recently I feel Apple spend their time drinking champaign and clapping one another on the back about how awesome they are, Microsoft seem to be working their tails off, one every front, iOS, android, windows, they are releasing software and frequently updating it (plus building windows 10 on pc and phone). They seem motivated, hard at it, Apple struggle to muster the energy to update their os when major bugs come to light. So I changed across, and I don't regret it. Still have my iPad, no plans to change that, through the new surface 3 is somewhat appealing.

I really wanted to try out a Lumia - they look great and it's often the underdogs (Android and, more so, Windows Phone) that tend to innovate more.

But there were a few things I couldn't get on Windows Phone. Namely Google Maps, Chrome, Sonos and HSBC banking and Swype - all of which I use daily.

How are you finding the app situation?

 

[Savor]

Good to hear Nokia is releasing some Android smartphones next year. Give us a proper Android flagship, Nokia. Nomore of the Nokia X crap. Had Nokia just chose Android back in 2011, they wouldn't be in position they are now while watching Samsung take over the mass market and Xiaomi clean up the lower-end. The N1 tablet was a great start for a proper Android device.

Nokia was once great in both flagships and low-end. If it wasn't an N-series, Nokia would come out with a rock solid feature phone for under $50. I think the Lumia 635 is one of the best bargain phones ever. Cheap, fast, and long battery life, Nokia have alway made great dispensable phones. Nokia was once on top. Unlike Sony and HTC, Nokia knows what it feels like to be top dog for so long. I hope they comeback next year with a vengeance. Like Xiaomi, they release solid phones for good prices. Nokia may never be as popular like before, but they are the company to watch for again in 2016...

 

[Vegastouch]

Off!

Apparently Microsoft accidentally posted the price early for a while on their own website. Keeping my fingers crossed that the price stays the same on T-Mobile.

If it does, ill go buy one as well for that price. When is it supposed to land at T-Mobile?

 

[BigRed1]

If it does, ill go buy one as well for that price. When is it supposed to land at T-Mobile?

No idea. Can't wait to replace this crappy android phone, though. It can't get here soon enough.

 

[Wbutchart]

I really wanted to try out a Lumia - they look great and it's often the underdogs (Android and, more so, Windows Phone) that tend to innovate more.

But there were a few things I couldn't get on Windows Phone. Namely Google Maps, Chrome, Sonos and HSBC banking and Swype - all of which I use daily.

How are you finding the app situation?

Swype is there by default, the keyboard already has that. It's here maps which is Nokia and they seem great (especially as they can be downloaded so no data usage) no google apps at all really, through iCloud integrates seamlessly, Google really works hard to be incompatible with windows phone. Banking apps I don't have much off but they can be rare I think.

App gap for me is fine, main app I use is one note followed by office, all there and work really well.

 

[Vegastouch]

Why would you want Chrome to use on a Lumia? Or Maps? They have their own browser and maps.