With Windows Phone 7, Microsoft went from being a non-entity in the world of modern smartphones to becoming an important player. The old Windows Mobile operating systems had their fans, but they weren't as consumer-friendly as the iPhone and Android devices.
WP7 changed all that, bringing integration with Facebook, a clear, touch-friendly user interface, slick multimedia functionality and Xbox Live games and connectivity.
Of course, Microsoft didn't forget its roots either. There's email and Exchange support, and it's the only mobile OS with official Microsoft Office apps.
And now every phone should be running Windows Phone 7.5 (or Mango to its friends) with a raft of improvements including multi-tasking, improved efficiency and better live tiles than ever before.
But already Microsoft is looking to the upcoming Windows Phone 8, which brings with it more customization for its live tiles, dual core processor support, proper multi-tasking and more.
Of course the competition hasn't stood still either. Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) has launched with the Google Nexus 7 and has begun rolling out to other devices. Android is already a formidable operating system and Jelly Bean makes it even better by including a host of tweaks and improvements which finally makes Android as smooth to operate as iOS.
Speaking of iOS, Apple is preparing to launch iOS 6 which is packed full of new features. These include improvements to Siri, smart reminders, Facebook integration, a new version of Safari and plenty more besides.
Not to be left out, RIM is also building a new version of its OS: BlackBerry 10 (or BB10). It's a huge overhaul that requires a re-write of all the existing apps and features a whole new interface. Given the problems RIM has faced in recent times it's got a lot riding on this- so expect them to pull out all the stops.
The competition is tougher than ever and that can only be a good thing for consumers as the smart phone overlords go all out to be on top.
How Windows Phone 8 will stack up remains to be seen, but in the meantime here's the very best of the current crop of Windows Phone handsets – although it's important to note these will not be upgraded to WP8, rather being given a fancy homescreen update to Windows Phone 7.8.
7. Nokia Lumia 610
Despite being at the bottom end of the Lumia range, the Nokia Lumia 610 still has a lot going for it. With a solid build quality, loads of social networking options, a long lasting battery - and of course a low price tag - it's certainly a worthy entry-level smartphone.
That said, it's a budget offering right down to its operating system: the stripped down Windows Phone Tango. It's only got 256MB of RAM, which has the knock-on effect of meaning that certain apps are incompatible.
It also only has 8GB of storage (with no option for expansion), and a poor video camera. What's even more problematic is that it's actually possible to get its big brother, the Nokia Lumia 710, for around the same price, which makes this a tough sell.
So why include it in the list at all? Well, Nokia Lumia 710 not withstanding this is still a good handset for the money. It's a price drop away from being the definitive entry level Windows Phone.
6. HTC Radar
Despite being a relatively budget handset, the HTC Radar has a fantastic build quality, with a metal body that makes it look and feel much more expensive than it is.
Under the hood it's not too shabby either. The touch screen keyboard is one of the most precise around, battery life is good and it sports a solid 5MP camera.
Rounding out the package, the HTC Radar runs Windows Phone 7.5, which means that it's almost a given that contact integration is top flight.
But this isn't a top end handset, and that's reflected in the ever so slightly small 3.8 inch screen. HTC has also committed what almost seems like self sabotage by making it impossible to remove the battery and as standard with Windows Phone handsets there's no micro SD card slot.
The latter omission meaning that you're limited to a mere 6.54GB of useable storage. Still, for the price it's a solid little phone.
5. ZTE Tania
The ZTE Tania is interesting in that it bucks the trend of low cost equalling small screen by packing a large 4.3-inch screen into its fairly cheap shell.
That screen size combined with the mobile version of Microsoft Office makes this an attractive prospect for business users with most Windows Phone handsets having screens that are too small to comfortably edit on.
Even many comparatively high-spec phones such as the Nokia Lumia 800 find their screens dwarfed by the one on this.
While the ZTE Tania won't replace a tablet or laptop, the screen is big enough to make it a viable option for working on. Decent battery life means it also won't die on you while you're trying to work on the train.
Of course some corners have been cut to still achieve a low price. The screen while large isn't particularly great and can be hard to see in bright sunlight.
There's also only a paltry 4GB of storage, which for media or app hungry users won't go far at all.
4. Nokia Lumia 710
Thanks to the bizarre pricing of the Nokia Lumia 610, this is currently the go-to handset for budget conscious Windows Phone buyers. Being able to remove the battery is always nice, while a tough 3.7-inch gorilla glass screen and 1.4GHz processor mark this out as a solid mid-range phone.
It does lack in some areas though. Storage is limited to 8GB and the screen is a downgrade from the one in the Nokia Lumia 800 (ClearBlack TFT rather than ClearBlack AMOLED).
It also looks and feels quite cheap and it's a good thing the battery is swappable as it's unlikely to last more than a day between charges.
There's nothing game changing here, but it's a mid-range phone at an entry level price, making it great value for money.
3. HTC Titan
As if the name didn't already give it away, the HTC Titan is big. With a 4.7-inch display it stands tall as the biggest-screened Windows Phone handset available.
But its name is more than a statement of size; it's a statement of power, as this is also HTC's flagship Windows Phone. The Super LCD screen isn't just big, it's also vivid and vibrant.
The 8MP camera performs well and quickly for decent snaps, the build quality is good and happily the battery has a fair bit of juice in it too.
Storage of course isn't expandable but you do get a respectable 16GB to play with. Limitations with Windows Phone itself hold this handset back to some extent (lack of customization options, flaky multi-tasking etc).
But really the only complaints we have in comparison to other Windows Phone handsets is that it's just not quite as good as the other larger-screened player, the Nokia Lumia 900, and that some of the budget handsets listed here are arguably better value for money.
2. Nokia Lumia 800
Another handset with a fairly small screen (3.7 inches), the Nokia Lumia 800 still does plenty to mark itself out as a real contender.
With 16GB of storage, a good 8MP camera, a physical design that's both attractive and comfortable to hold and a 1.4GHz processor it's certainly got a lot going for it. Screen size aside it ticks a lot of the same boxes as the HTC Titan.
But being smaller has actually allowed the AMOLED screen to have a greater pixel density than on the Titan, making it slightly sharper.
Its battery life is slightly disappointing, but otherwise much like the Titan most of its problems stem from Windows Phone 7.5- not from the handset itself. With similar specs to others in this list, the Nokia Lumia 800's beautiful build gives it the edge.
1. Nokia Lumia 900
Here it is, the fourth Lumia handset to make the list and is it any surprise it's our number one?
The Nokia Lumia 900 is not just Nokia's flagship handset but the standard bearer for Windows Phone as a whole. Its 1.4GHz processor and 8MP camera are par for the course on a top end Windows Phone handset, as is its disappointingly limited 16GB of storage.
But it really is a thing of beauty and its stunning polycarbonate frame is as nice to hold as it is to look at.
Its screen is superb as well- a 4.3-inch AMOLED display with ClearBlack technology making it viewable outdoors at any angle, while gorilla glass ensures it stays protected.
It might not quite match the iPhone 4S or Samsung Galaxy S3, but it's not far behind and if you've been enticed by Windows Phone then this is as good as it gets, at least until Windows Phone 8 launches.
Source : techradar[dot]com
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