Is it Windows Phone that sucks? The slow Lumia 620? Or are all phones like this?

[Turbonium]

If I'm loading a larger page, even if it's mostly text/links (say a reddit comments thread), every time I scroll or re-zoom the page, the whole damn thing takes a long time to "reset" so that links and such are clickable again, during which time I can't reliably do anything, and everything looks a bit pixelated. If I try to click on something prematurely, I just add to the queue and it just does a bunch of catchup, very slowly, over the next 200 years, while thinking you clicked stuff you didn't, meaning you're better off closing the tab and opening a new one. It's downright infuriating.

And trying to reply to a comment or something on the page and having to open a textbox (and the associated page "reset"), the OS's onscreen keyboard, etc.? Good luck, you better have some time set aside for this monumental task.

It happens on WiFi and 3G, so really, same deal in this regard.

Lumia 620 (dual-core 1GHz), WP8 Black.

Thoughts?

 

[Crono]

Try WP 8.1 (sign up as a "developer" to get the preview), it seems a little faster overall on my 521.

It's definitely not Windows Phone alone, didn't have any issues with reflow on my 1520. I think it's just low to mid range hardware, unfortunately, if it's happening on large pages. Browsing can take up a good chunk of memory.

 

[Turbonium]

Try WP 8.1 (sign up as a "developer"), it seems a little faster overall on my 521.

It's definitely not Windows Phone alone, didn't have any issues with reflow on my 1520. I think it's just low to mid range hardware, unfortunately.

Yea I'm leaning towards that as well.

Often my phone will have a blank screen when I scroll down the page (if it's a larger page), and I have to wait a few seconds for the blank screen to load up into what is supposed to be there. It's as if it doesn't have enough space to store the whole page at once. I'm not sure if this is a CPU issue or RAM though, because on my netbook (1GHz dual-core AMD, 4GB RAM), it has the same issue at times, although it's only when the page is still initially loading, which points to a CPU issue I'd imagine.

 

[Crono]

Yea I'm leaning towards that as well.

Often my phone will have a blank screen when I scroll down the page (if it's a larger page), and I have to wait a few seconds for the blank screen to load up into what is supposed to be there. It's as if it doesn't have enough space to store the whole page at once. I'm not sure if this is a CPU issue or RAM though, because on my netbook (1GHz dual-core AMD, 4GB RAM), it has the same issue at times, although it's only when the page is still initially loading, which points to a CPU issue I'd imagine.

It could be the CPU, as well. Windows Phone doesn't have the best default browser out of the three major smartphone OS' (though average rendering time has improved a great deal) so it has that against, too. But yeah, the dual core, 512MB experience isn't perfect on Android or WP, though in general you don't notice the lack of power most of the time in Windows Phone, except when doing things like browsing on large/graphics-heavy pages.

 

[Turbonium]

It could be the CPU, as well. Windows Phone doesn't have the best default browser out of the three major smartphone OS' (though average rendering time has improved a great deal) so it has that against, too. But yeah, the dual core, 512MB experience isn't perfect on Android or WP, though in general you don't notice the lack of power most of the time in Windows Phone, except when doing things like browsing on large/graphics-heavy pages.

IE is infuriating at best on WP. It literally reloads the damn page every time you go back to it from another tab, I find.

This is my first smartphone, so I don't have anything to compare it to. It's bad though.

I wish I could replace this 620 with a 920. I really want that extra power at this point, and the unibody design. The physical buttons on this thing are already dead and dying, after just 1 year.

 

[Crono]

IE is infuriating at best on WP. It literally reloads the damn page every time you go back to it from another tab, I find.

This is my first smartphone, so I don't have anything to compare it to. It's bad though.

I wish I could replace this 620 with a 920. I really want that extra power at this point, and the unibody design. The physical buttons on this thing are already dead and dying, after just 1 year.

The 920 is a nice phone, had one for a short while over a year ago. You can find them refurbished right now for $135. The body on that is actually nicer than the 1520, which is way too glossy and slippery. Much prefer that matte polycarbonate of the other phones like the 920. Great camera, too, though even the low end Lumias have surprisingly good cameras versus even some of the more expensive Android phones.

 

[Turbonium]

The 920 is a nice phone, had one for a short while over a year ago. You can find them refurbished right now for $135. The body on that is actually nice than the 1520, which is way too glossy and slippery. Much prefer that matte polycarbonate of the other phones like the 920.

Yea. Matte. Unibody polycarbonate. And more power than this 620.

I'd never get a refurb, though. I'm thinking of getting one off eBay new. I don't know what constitutes a good deal at this point however.

 

[Canbacon]

To echo Crono, hop on the WP 8.1 dev preview. They definitely upgraded IE to be a bit more modern. However, on heavy image sites you will probably still get some page loading. A nice setting is to change the image compression in WP8.1.

 

[gmaster456]

Sounds like more of a hardware issue than a windows phone issue though it could be both. I had similar issues with web browsing and some apps on my lumia 520. Sometimes we have to remember they are low end phones.

The 920 is a decent choice. It is a bit older at this point but the hardware is till up there as far as windows phone goes. Only the icon and 1520 have better CPUs if I remember right. And the 920 still has a decent camera and a great, solid build.

 

[notposting]

I found IE11 in WP8.1 to be terrible on my 520. Have a 928 running WP8, much better (probably going to roll the 520 back, actually). Gonna dump WP and go to iOS I think, WP is turning into a feature and app poor Android copy.

 

[IamDavid]

I've been running WP for years and haven't experienced any slowdown like you're talking about. To me the experience is opposite compared to other OS's. I haven't used the lower end devices so it could very well be a hardware issue but definitely not the OS.

 

[Turbonium]

I've been running WP for years and haven't experienced any slowdown like you're talking about. To me the experience is opposite compared to other OS's. I haven't used the lower end devices so it could very well be a hardware issue but definitely not the OS.

It probably is.

True story: I've literally thrown my phone across the room at the wall about 5 times total the past month, at a carefully estimated moderate speed, out of anger. I do it at a moderate speed so that it still feels like I'm punishing/breaking it, without actually ending up breaking it (the cover and battery flying off tend to absorb a lot of the shock too, which is good).

It's seriously that infuriating. I throw it, nothing breaks or gets worse, but IE continues to suck, and a few other things run slow. The hardware is really bad.

 

[mikegg]

It probably is.

True story: I've literally thrown my phone across the room at the wall about 5 times total the past month, at a carefully estimated moderate speed, out of anger. I do it at a moderate speed so that it still feels like I'm punishing/breaking it, without actually ending up breaking it (the cover and battery flying off tend to absorb a lot of the shock too, which is good).

It's seriously that infuriating. I throw it, nothing breaks or gets worse, but IE continues to suck, and a few other things run slow. The hardware is really bad.

Why did you even get a Windows phone in the first place? To be different?

 

[Turbonium]

Why did you even get a Windows phone in the first place? To be different?

Lol?

First ever smartphone. I like Nokia. I hate the iPhone, and didn't want an Android for my own reasons.

 

[lakedude]

I've got 2 Android smart phones, a Motorola Admiral 1.2GHz single core and a Moto-G 1.2 GHz quad with 305 graphics. Both phones worked fine on a quick test browsing Reddit so I don't think hardware is the issue.

Could the issue be the network/poor signal? Maybe hook up on WiFi and see if that changes anything?

Can you install another browser like Opera Mini?

I'm pretty happy with the Moto-G and the cheap plan I've got at Republic Wireless, only $10 a month for unlimited text, talk and picture mail (no data). The hybrid phone works anywhere there is a cell signal or a WiFi signal. Adding 3G data is $15 more a month ($25 total).

 

[Turbonium]

I've got 2 Android smart phones, a Motorola Admiral 1.2GHz single core and a Moto-G 1.2 GHz quad with 305 graphics. Both phones worked fine on a quick test browsing Reddit so I don't think hardware is the issue.

Could the issue be the network/poor signal? Maybe hook up on WiFi and see if that changes anything?

Can you install another browser like Opera Mini?

I'm pretty happy with the Moto-G and the cheap plan I've got at Republic Wireless, only $10 a month for unlimited text, talk and picture mail (no data). The hybrid phone works anywhere there is a cell signal or a WiFi signal. Adding 3G data is $15 more a month ($25 total).

I tried Wifi, makes a bit of a difference at times, but only on initial load. Honestly, whatever. I'm going to be getting another phone soon enough anyway.

 

[AstroManLuca]

So let me get this straight.

You're complaining about your phone being too slow. Yet you refuse to even consider a used/refurbished phone, even if it's cheap and represents a significant improvement over your current one. You claim to hate IE so much that you have actually thrown your phone against the wall, MULTIPLE TIMES, yet you also refuse to even consider something different.

Maybe you need to step back and look at your options. You've physically beaten your own phone to hell by throwing it against a wall, yet you only want a new one as a replacement? Who cares if you're just going to throw it against a wall again? You're better off buying used if you're going to do that. May as well save some money.

Your current phone irritate you so much that you're prone to fits of rage, yet the prospect of keeping it is somehow more attractive than replacing it with an iPhone, Android, or a refurb 920?

You're insane. Maybe put your money toward anger management classes instead.

 

[darkewaffle]

On my Lumia 928 I can't say I've experienced any noticeable browsing problems - at times it's unresponsive/uncooperative when my connection is very poor but that's to be expected.

 

[mikegg]

So let me get this straight.

You're complaining about your phone being too slow. Yet you refuse to even consider a used/refurbished phone, even if it's cheap and represents a significant improvement over your current one. You claim to hate IE so much that you have actually thrown your phone against the wall, MULTIPLE TIMES, yet you also refuse to even consider something different.

Maybe you need to step back and look at your options. You've physically beaten your own phone to hell by throwing it against a wall, yet you only want a new one as a replacement? Who cares if you're just going to throw it against a wall again? You're better off buying used if you're going to do that. May as well save some money.

Your current phone irritate you so much that you're prone to fits of rage, yet the prospect of keeping it is somehow more attractive than replacing it with an iPhone, Android, or a refurb 920?

You're insane. Maybe put your money toward anger management classes instead.

This. Get an iphone or android.

 

[quikah]

Don't see this problem on my wife's 521, which has very similar specs to 620, or my 925. Maybe you should reset your phone?

 

[Turbonium]

So let me get this straight.

You're complaining about your phone being too slow. Yet you refuse to even consider a used/refurbished phone, even if it's cheap and represents a significant improvement over your current one. You claim to hate IE so much that you have actually thrown your phone against the wall, MULTIPLE TIMES, yet you also refuse to even consider something different.

Maybe you need to step back and look at your options. You've physically beaten your own phone to hell by throwing it against a wall, yet you only want a new one as a replacement? Who cares if you're just going to throw it against a wall again? You're better off buying used if you're going to do that. May as well save some money.

Your current phone irritate you so much that you're prone to fits of rage, yet the prospect of keeping it is somehow more attractive than replacing it with an iPhone, Android, or a refurb 920?

You're insane. Maybe put your money toward anger management classes instead.

Are you serious?

First off, thanks for insulting me and calling me "insane". I'd love to see you say this to my face, in-person, especially with any witnesses around who you typically like to put on a façade for. Typical internet baddie. Pat yourself on the back. You might as well, since you clearly have no qualms with looking at yourself in the mirror after comments like this.

Secondly, I have my own perfectly good reasons for not getting a refurb/used phone, iPhone, or Android, and I don't owe anyone an explanation, especially you. Enjoy your ignorance on this matter as well.

Thirdly, I'm obviously not going to throw a 920, or any properly functioning phone, at the wall, given it will work a lot better than this, not to mention I only started throwing this at the wall after the physical buttons stopped working weeks ago. This thing is already a write-off and will be replaced soon anyway, whether or not I break it by throwing it is irrelevant. If it broke, I'd just get another phone, likely the 920.

And I have no idea where you got the impression that I was "keeping" this phone. Was this thread not a bit of a hint that I was exploring my options? Lol.

 

[HumblePie]

Damn, missed that refurb priced yesterday I guess. It's showing $335 now.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Secondly, I have my own perfectly good reasons for not getting a refurb/used phone, iPhone, or Android, and I don't owe anyone an explanation, especially you. Enjoy your ignorance on this matter as well.

You're the one asking for advice. You've laid out a set of very specific criteria, and you've also complained about the features of your existing platform while excluding other platforms without explanation. If you don't want to share the reasons why you aren't considering an iPhone, Android, or refurb, fine, but don't expect to get much help.

And I have no idea where you got the impression that I was "keeping" this phone. Was this thread not a bit of a hint that I was exploring my options? Lol.

Reading back through your posts, you said you "wish you could just get a 920," implying you couldn't. After also excluding iPhones and Androids, it gave the impression that you had nowhere left to turn. But that was reading too much into it.

I suppose my experience with refurb phones has always been positive, so I've never had a problem going refurb. But it largely depends on cost difference. I did find someone on eBay selling new 920s for $200 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-N...78131?pt=Cell_Phones&var=&hash=item461f31f3f3 Not sure if it'll work in Canada. Nokias can be hard to unlock.

Another option is the upcoming Lumia 635, which is supposed to be coming to the US and Canada very soon. It's a budget device with just 512 MB of RAM, but it has a faster quad core CPU than the 620 and a much bigger, better screen, and it runs WP 8.1 out of the box.

 

[Bateluer]

My Lumia 521 does what the OP describes. I'd attributed the effect more to the slower clocked Krait CPU and 512MB RAM than any deficiencies with the OS or browser. Never really did much hands on with the high end Windows Phones.

 

[Turbonium]

You're the one asking for advice. You've laid out a set of very specific criteria, and you've also complained about the features of your existing platform while excluding other platforms without explanation. If you don't want to share the reasons why you aren't considering an iPhone, Android, or refurb, fine, but don't expect to get much help.

Is it Windows Phone that sucks? The slow Lumia 620? Or are all phones like this?

Clearly, I'm asking about other phones from the beginning. It was quickly established afterwards that it's likely the phone model, so I have no reason to switch from WP.