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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tolgerias - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
I currently have a Lumia 920 and have been waiting for the next flagship. Although the M8 looks gorgeous, I really like having a physical camera shutter button, glance screen and wireless charging. I don't really game on my phone, so the 830 looks like the best option for me if I were to buy today. But my 920 still works great so I think I will just wait to see what 2015 brings.Stephen Barrett - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
I'm in the same boat. agree on all countsLaxaa - Thursday, December 4, 2014 - link
Seconded. My 920 still holds up(even after several drops on concrete), but I'm eager to see whats next for Lumia. Either that or the successor to the HTC M8(I guess it'll be the M9)LarsBars - Tuesday, December 9, 2014 - link
I had a 920 since launch, and bought a Lumia 1520.3 off contract. I really like it, but I think you have to be willing to deal with the size.jrs77 - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
The best Windows-Phone currently is the Lumia 530, which can be bought without a contract for €70 incl VAT.Gunbuster - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
You should not link out to that 1520 on Amazon. The unlocked model with the correct US LTE bands is the 1520.3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...LarsBars - Tuesday, December 9, 2014 - link
I bought mine here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1036818-REG/...But it was cheaper and not back ordered.
BMNify - Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - link
Lumia 535 and 730 with dual sim are the best low-end and mid-range phones respectively, Both can be bought in India fro $130 and $220 respectively. Lumia 730 or 735 is now available globally in loads of countries and 535 will also be widespread within a month.Mugur - Thursday, December 4, 2014 - link
I have also to vouch about 730/735. Around $200 including VAT in my country (possibly 200 EUR without any discount :-) ). Same SoC as 830, 4.7" with 720p Amoled, Gorilla Glass 3, nice design. I got one for my wife (previously she used an HTC One Mini) and she's very happy with it. 730 is dual micro SIM/HSPA+ and 735 is 4G LTE with 1 nano SIM. Both have uSD and removable battery (2200 mAh).IMHO 830 is too expensive for what it offers.
cbf - Thursday, December 4, 2014 - link
In the US, unless you're on AT&T, there really is no mid-range Windows Phone option. And even if you're on AT&T, they want far too much ($450) for the Lumia 830.Note that the Lumia 830 RM-984 at Expansys linked to in this article support most (or any?) US LTE frequencies. And the price is too high -- it is not competitive with a comparably priced Nexus 5.
If Microsoft wants to know why Windows Phone is doing so poorly in the US, the answer is simple -- it's by and large simply not available for purchase.