Best Windows Phones: Holiday 2014
by Brett Howse on December 3, 2014 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- HTC
- Microsoft
- Mobile
- windows phone
- Blu
Low-Cost Device: Blu Win Jr
There is far more competition on the lower end of the price scale for Windows Phones now, with several companies launching devices this year. Going into this guide, people who follow Windows Phone might have guessed I would put the Nokia Lumia 630/635 here. The Lumia 630 is a good phone, and for the right price, it is not going to be a bad choice, but for me the 630 had too many compromises. There was no flash, no ambient light sensor, and on-screen keys. The Blu Win Jr delivers all of these features missing on the Lumia 630, and undercuts it on price as well.
Though we have not tested it here, the Win Jr is a lot of phone for the less than $90 unlocked asking price. The four inch display is a bit small compared to the norm now, but it makes the 800x480 resolution a bit sharper. The Snapdragon 200 is certainly low end, but carries the same quad-core Cortex A7 at 1.2 GHz as the higher priced Snapdragon 400 models. Although the GPU is not as strong, with only 512 MB of RAM the low cost phones are not going to be great for gaming anyway.
| Blu Win Jr | |
| SoC | MSM8212 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 200 |
| RAM/NAND | 512 MB LPDDR2, 4 GB NAND + microSD 32 GB |
| Display | 4.0” 800x480 display |
| Network | GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSPA up to 42 Mbps |
| Dimensions | 124.5 x 62.5 x 10.2 (mm) |
| Weight | 122.5 grams |
| Rear Camera | 5 MP CMOS, Autofocus, LED Flash |
| Front Camera | VGA resolution |
| Battery | 1950 mAh |
| OS | Windows Phone 8.1 |
| Connectivity | 802.11 a/b/g/n + BT 3.0, USB2.0 |
| Location Technologies | Qualcomm IZat Gen7A |
| SIM Size | Dual Micro SIM |
There are certainly some corners cut to get to this price, but you still get a front facing camera, ambient light sensor, 5 MP rear camera with LED flash, capacitive navigation keys, and microSD to compliment the paltry 4 GB of onboard storage.
So there you have it. If you are a Windows Phone fan looking for the next flagship, it is there, or if you maybe just want to check out the platform, jump in for less than $100 with the Blu. The number of devices has expanded quite a bit since the last time we took a look at the platform, and hopefully this will continue into 2015 with some exciting new models.
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Drumsticks - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
Yeah, I saw the 1030 rumors. It's part of what is making me willing to wait. I also saw something somewhere that it might be looking at a MWC reveal.The 830 I think definitely could have had a 610. That SoC was already shipping in several HTC phones $50-100? Less expensive, so I think they just dropped the ball there.
Penti - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
The consolidation was with WP8.1 and W8.1, and it's still two different OS's and will continue to be. You will not be able to build WP-Silverlight apps for Windows 10 desktops.JoBalz - Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - link
Drumsticks: I agree with the 2nd part of your post. While I didn't like using the METRO UI much on a desktop, I absolutely love it on my phone (and on the Windows tablets I've tried). There as far as I'm concerned the OS shines. And I know people are going to get tired of me posting this, but CORTANA is the crown jewel of Windows Phone 8.1. Having read of it and seen the commercials, I had figured it would be an interesting "toy" but now that I've used it, it has very accurately provided answers to every question I've thrown at it (even a few I selected to see if it would 'understand' some of the words. Looks like Cortana is pretty fluent, especially with my Texas/Arkansas 'twange'. She and I are going to become best buds, I can already see that (and think this might be one Windows Phone feature that I actually would like to see available for the PC desktop as well as tablets. Android has never captivated me and iOS, while it may be a good mobile OS, I refuse to pay the 'Apple Tax' just for the bragging rights for using an Apple product. My little Nokia Lumia was as sleek and useful to me as any $500 plus iPhone.kspirit - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
Desperately waiting for the global release of the M8 with Windows. The 930 with it's lack of glance and the heating/battery issues doesn't justify the $650 pricetag it has in my country. HTC usually gets it right, and all the reviews for this M8 are very positive!Luc K - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
I would have added the 730/735. At least it brings something 'new' with the 24mm wide-angle front camera and it has a better display I believe than the 830. Pricing is around $200 so great value. Only issue is delay being available in US.kspirit - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
This. The 730 is much more bang for buck than the 830 is, if you can forgive the lack of glance and camera button. And IMO, Microsoft did this poor phone wrong; if the 720 could have those things, so could the 730, since they were launched at near identical price points, and that was TWO years ago.Brett Howse - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
I just got the 735 in for review. It's a nice little phone I love the size and the in-hand feel is great. We'll see if the display is "better" but I am a big fan of OLED on Windows Phone. The camera doesn't seem as good from initial impressions (which isn't a surprise of course) and the lack of a camera button is a big omission. The biggest to me though is Glance. The 830 also has the bonus of worldwide availability whereas the 735 may not even come to North America.The 830 brings a lot to the plate over the 735, but that doesn't make the 735 a bad phone for the right price.
kspirit - Thursday, December 4, 2014 - link
Oh, then I'm very eager to see your review for it. I am hoping to get it as a second phone for my work SIM + I am a selfie addict! haha.With all the details AnandTech articles contain, I look to this site for the best reviews on the web!
Thanks. :)
3ricss - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
Finally gave up on my 2 year old 920 and just jumped into HTC's One for windows on AT&T. Love this phone. I can see why it was so loved by the Andriod community. Unfortunately for me this might be my last venture with WP. I love WP UI/UX but the app scene which made huge improvements during 2013 has since gone down hill a bit. Obviously it's because developers are holding out for WP10. So, I guess I'll hold on one more time. If it doesn't work out than iPhone 7 will be my next. Fingers crossed though.sorten - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
I don't see anything to tempt me away from my 920. I don't want a 5" or larger phone. I'm probably waiting for the WP10 devices at this point.