HTC One v Nokia Lumina 928

[sinPiEqualsZero]

Hi fellow Anandtech readers,

I'm hard of hearing (wear hearing aids) and looking to get a new phone. I currently use a Droid 3 because I love the physical keyboard for texting. However, I can no longer stand 3G speeds so it's time to upgrade.

The two best options I've come across appear to be the Nokia Lumina 928 and the HTC One.

Both have good cameras, both have good call quality, both have good speakerphones (though the HTC One is clearly better in this aspect). Both have enough apps for my purposes.

The big difference in my eyes is that I can get the 928 for free. I don't know if that's worth it as Microsoft has now purchased Nokia's cell phone division but rumors are that the phones will get an 8.1 update.

The HTC One will cost $200 with the contract extension.

Any thoughts? Thank you for taking the time to read and reply.

 

[bearxor]

If you're not tied to a particular ecosystem, the Lumia 928 gets my vote.

The Lumia 1520 looks to be coming soon with its massive 6" screen, but that won't be free.

The recent purchase of Nokia's devices division is a good thing. Don't let it count as a negative towards a Nokia phone.

 

[Imaginer]

Yes, do not let Nokia's selling of their mobile division be a deterrent. And not to mention, the live tiles and tile start screen is much easier on the eyes in addition to having a white text on black background.

Though, if you do not mind the wait, HTC Harmony (or HTC One with Windows Phone 8) is said to be in the pipelines.

 

[BladeVenom]

If you want any special apps for the hearing impaired, I would stick with Android or iOS. You may not find what you need if you go with a Windows phone.

 

[desura]

If you want any special apps for the hearing impaired, I would stick with Android or iOS. You may not find what you need if you go with a Windows phone.

...such as?

Good point, though.

I would prefer the Lumina also to the HTC. Android phones focus too much on specs and not enough on overall integration.

 

[Bman123]

The HTC one is a really nice phone, I've got a unlocked HTC one XL on t mobile and I'm waiting on the HTC one with Windows

 

[Bateluer]

WP* devices should be avoided unless you're on an extreme budget(The Windows Phone app store is a ghost town), then the Lumia 520/521s are worth a look. But they aren't on Verizon, and I'm assuming you don't want to switch carriers. The One is a great phone, even 4 months late on Big Red though.

I'm curious why you'd eliminate the GS4 though? The Note 3 is right around the corner, so I can see striking the Note 2 off the list.

 

[lopri]

Between the two, the obvious choice for me would be the HTC One. Even with $200 premium.

 

[BladeVenom]

...such as?

Captioning and sound amplification apps. If you want specific apps, I don't have any recommendations since I don't have a hearing problem. I just know that there are apps for those that do.

 

[Deeko]

WP* devices should be avoided unless you're on an extreme budget(The Windows Phone app store is a ghost town), then the Lumia 520/521s are worth a look. But they aren't on Verizon, and I'm assuming you don't want to switch carriers. The One is a great phone, even 4 months late on Big Red though.

I'm curious why you'd eliminate the GS4 though? The Note 3 is right around the corner, so I can see striking the Note 2 off the list.

Presenting opinion as fact is deplorable, particularly on purely subjective matters.

 

[Crono]

I've used the Lumia 920 and currently have the HTC One.

If camera quality matters, go for the Lumia 928. Better camera across the board, without a doubt. But if you need a better selection of apps and like the hardware overall, go for the HTC One. It's hard to go wrong with either, I wouldn't stress about the choice.

EDIT: Read your post again, OP, and if it's free under contract, go with the Lumia 928. The One is good, but I would gladly save $200 by going with the 928 if it were me.

 

[sinPiEqualsZero]

Thanks for the thoughts! A few random notes:

1. I do 50% texting, 40% browsing, 5% apps, and 5% talking. I don't think that the lack of apps will make a real, functional difference in what I do with a phone.

2. There will always be better options if I wait just another month, etc., so no waiting for the Windows 8 HTC One.

3. The S4 irritated me with the in-your-face UI. That's why I narrowed it down to the HTC One and Lumina 928.

I think I'm going to pick up the Lumina in a few hours. Thanks again!

 

[Dari]

If you're a Windows type of person, stay away from Windows Phone. Go with Android. Windows Phone is too restrictive, small, and closed.

 

[Crono]

Thanks for the thoughts! A few random notes:

1. I do 50% texting, 40% browsing, 5% apps, and 5% talking. I don't think that the lack of apps will make a real, functional difference in what I do with a phone.

2. There will always be better options if I wait just another month, etc., so no waiting for the Windows 8 HTC One.

3. The S4 irritated me with the in-your-face UI. That's why I narrowed it down to the HTC One and Lumina 928.

I think I'm going to pick up the Lumina in a few hours. Thanks again!

You'll be happy with the Lumia 928 with that kind of usage. Texting and browsing work as well as other high end phones, and the UI is the cleanest and easiest to use out of the all the mobile operating systems.

Let us know how it works for you.

 

[bearxor]

Thanks for the thoughts! A few random notes:

1. I do 50% texting, 40% browsing, 5% apps, and 5% talking. I don't think that the lack of apps will make a real, functional difference in what I do with a phone.

2. There will always be better options if I wait just another month, etc., so no waiting for the Windows 8 HTC One.

3. The S4 irritated me with the in-your-face UI. That's why I narrowed it down to the HTC One and Lumina 928.

I think I'm going to pick up the Lumina in a few hours. Thanks again!

You'll be happy with the Lumia 928 with that kind of usage. Texting and browsing work as well as other high end phones, and the UI is the cleanest and easiest to use out of the all the mobile operating systems.

Let us know how it works for you.

I agree. Probably the best choice for your usage. WP is very straightforward and you'll probably really like the uniformity of the interface coming off of Android.

I would be pretty interested in a HTC Windows device with front facing stereo speakers, but would definitely pick a Lumia for the camera over that feature first.

 

[pantsaregood]

Three notes:

1. Every WP8 device should expect to receive WP8.1. It should be a major release in the same way WP7.5 was.

2. Microsoft's Nokia buyout is not intended to function like Google's purchase of Motorola. Microsoft has always worked closely with Nokia, and is only expected to work more directly with them going forward - Nokia is not dead, just a part of Microsoft.

3. The Lumia 928 is an excellent choice. The one odd design decision (likely by Verizon) was to place the speaker for speakerphone on the back of the device. The speaker is fairly powerful, but you may have to flip the phone on its screen to get the most out of the speaker.

 

[notposting]

Three notes:

*snip*

3. The Lumia 928 is an excellent choice. The one odd design decision (likely by Verizon) was to place the speaker for speakerphone on the back of the device. The speaker is fairly powerful, but you may have to flip the phone on its screen to get the most out of the speaker.

I find it actually kicks out pretty good sound on it's back (I do have an Incipio Feather case for it) but the best comes when you can prop it against something, like on a counter. Even just putting one end slightly elevated works well (like on a notepad). Works well in general with phones with rear facing speakers (which all of my phones have had).

OP, the WP Central forum (and the 928 sub-forum, obviously) is a good place for tips and help as well.