[PhireSideZA]

Hi all

I have an opportunity to get a Lumia 1320 phablet for a really good price on contract, the thing is that I don't know the Windows Phone OS too well as I have been an Android fundi for the past 4 years.

I am a bit worried as the apps seem limited compared to say iOS or Android.

Anyone here with one care to share the pro's and con's about these phones?

Ta!

[Mike SX]

I use a Windows Nokia 635, perfect for my business needs, It has all the apps I require😉 Wife uses Android Motorola, uses very few apps. Mostly used for reading the papers......if you want all those imo unnecessary apps. get Android. We both use Viber. Radio best on Motorola. She prefers hers, I pay for both.

[PhireSideZA]

Thanks Mike!

My main gripe would be the fact that I need to run the iParadox app (alarm system) and as of yet there is no support for it on WP, so sadly this would be a very big limiting factor for me. I could probably load it onto my Nexus but then I still am limited to Android where I would like to have a Lumia 1320 to converge my usage on my current Moto G and Nexus 7.

Decisions, decisions...

[AlanHo]

I have recently acquired a Microsoft Lumia 640 smart phone and I am in the process of getting used to it. Unlike my previous Samsung Galaxy Ace phone this one has connected to the car Bluetooth with no problems - and my full address book (contacts) has transferred to the car sweetly.

I also like the HERE Maps and sat nav App that comes with the phone because you download the maps to the phone and henceforth you don't need to use your data allowance or be connected via WiFi to use the maps or sat nav.

I am also comforted by the ability to dictate a text message and for the phone to convert the audio to text with surprising accuracy

Overall I find the Windows 8.1 OS solid and easy to use - and at an excellent pay-as-you-go cost.

[PhireSideZA]

Thanks AlanHo for your insight.

My main gripe as I mentioned would be the lack of particularly the iParadox app, but other than that I don't really use any other apps on my Moto G - a few games here and there, the Gridwatch app to monitor rolling blackouts, a password vault, Evernote and Torque Pro. Oh, and Whatsapp of course.

I might give it a month and see if I still want it. Rather that than buyer's remorse

[AlanHo]

I have no idea what I am talking about - but would this app do the job.

App iParadox ? Alarm Control APK for Windows Phone | Download Android APK GAMES & APPS for Windows phone

[The Gonz]

Poor English but seems to be the ticket.
Let go button and see where it takes you.

[PhireSideZA]

Alan, I had a look at that site but my AV software went nuts so I closed it down again

But thanks, I will have a look around

In any case, I went and ordered the phone for a princely AU$9 a month which gives me 1GB of data to use per month. I figured since my current Nexus 7 data bundle runs out at the end of August, I could use the new SIM in there and keep the Lumia as a backup device in case family or friends are in need of a cellphone.

It should arrive tomorrow so I will post up here once it arrives

[Mike SX]

Using apps other than those obtainable from the Microsoft  Lumia Store disrupts & causes conflictions. Not recommended at all😈

[Phil №❶]

Using apps other than those obtainable from the Microsoft  Lumia Store disrupts & causes conflictions. Not recommended at all😈

What  another monopoly, I hate that. 

[The Gonz]

Hopefully not a monopoly, just a case of software compatibility. Either way, at least Android devices allow you to accept apps from other than the Play Store.

[Phil №❶]

Which is the way it should be, Gonz. I'll go Android when the time comes, I think.

[PhireSideZA]

Update:

Phone arrived today and it is MASSIVE!

I set up Wifi and started downloading some apps...it doesn't seem as hobbled as people make it out to be and it may just become my daily phone soon. The size is something to get used to (that's what she said), but I like the interface and the little features here and there. Camera quality is decent - also 5MP like my Moto G - but the flashlight is dimmer by a big margin.

I will update here with my findings as I go along

[Alasama]

I use Lumia 925, just to be different from my friends. I found Nokia phone interface is always easy for people. 

[CraigB]

A bit off topic but this new OnePlus One phone has some pretty impressive specs for the price OnePlus One - OnePlus.net snapdragon 801 quad core 2.7GHz with 3Gb ram and 13mp camera, not sure if it's available here in Aus yet though.

[rustynutz]

Instead of faster and bigger processors, ram & cameras, I just wish they'd make a mobile phone that doesn't need charging every day...

Remember the good old days when you could get nearly a week out of a single charge??? 

[CraigB]

If you turn off unnecessary features then you should still get good battery, I'll get 4 days out of my iPhone with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi disabled, 6 days if I put it in flight mode my brother will get 4 to 5 days out of his Samsung Note by disabling the same features.

The old phones would regularly last longer because they didn't do anything other than call an message.

[Mike SX]

Hopefully not a monopoly, just a case of software compatibility. Either way, at least Android devices allow you to accept apps from other than the Play Store.

Windows Mobiles (8.1 - can be upgraded to 10) will accept alternative suppliers apps.
Best to avoid risks; over confliction with banking protection apps. 

[PhireSideZA]

Feedback:

I set my phone up nicely last nice to kill the battery and got a nice red theme and a nice wallpaper to match it, only to not find one matching red protective cover in town today!

However, I did find a semi-translucent blue one for AU$6 that I bought and despite being a cheapy knock-off cover, sits really well and the build quality seems decent. Popped a 32GB microSD card into it and wagged my chin with customer care to get my SIM activated, as it didn't do it automatically for some reason.

4 hours before I can turn the handset on again and it should be setup good and proper

[rustynutz]

If you turn off unnecessary features then you should still get good battery, I'll get 4 days out of my iPhone with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi disabled, 6 days if I put it in flight mode my brother will get 4 to 5 days out of his Samsung Note by disabling the same features.

The old phones would regularly last longer because they didn't do anything other than call an message.

Thanks Craig, yes, I know I can do all that but really, if you're gonna turn everything off or put it in flight mode, then what's the point of having all those features?
After a quick browse of some of the more popular smart phone reviews, most seem to be lucky to get one day out of a charge...pretty damn woeful if you ask me. 

[The Gonz]

Battery technology has always been the thorn in the industry's side, from mobile devices all the way to submarines!

[rustynutz]

Not helped by the ever larger screens they are putting into phones these days...and, in some cases, smaller batteries... 

[PhireSideZA]

If you turn off unnecessary features then you should still get good battery, I'll get 4 days out of my iPhone with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi disabled, 6 days if I put it in flight mode my brother will get 4 to 5 days out of his Samsung Note by disabling the same features.

The old phones would regularly last longer because they didn't do anything other than call an message.

Thanks Craig, yes, I know I can do all that but really, if you're gonna turn everything off or put it in flight mode, then what's the point of having all those features?
After a quick browse of some of the more popular smart phone reviews, most seem to be lucky to get one day out of a charge...pretty damn woeful if you ask me. 

I personally use gsmarena.com as they have a nice endurance rating where they use the phone reviewed in a set way and compare it across devices. But as others have said on here, battery tech has been standing still and that is the biggest bugbear of modern smartphones