YA(Phone upgrade)T: Replacing lumia 920

[SketchMaster]

I jumped on the Windows phone band wagon when the Nokia 920 came out. The OS had gotten great reviews on its usability and performance, while the camera on the 920 stomped on everything at the time. It has been long enough that I have the option of upgrading, but I'm not sure if I want to go back to iOS (switched from a 4s), give android a try, or maybe see what new window phone is coming out. I figured I'd see what you guys think since you've been keeping up a lot more than me.

What I like about the 920/WinPhone OS:
1. Awesome camera. I do photography as a hobby, so I like having a good bit of glass on me.
2. Physical camera button. Love being able to pull the phone out and snap a pic in less than five seconds.
3. Native support for contact linking. Way more intuitive and seamless to link my outlook, facebook and Linked-In contacts together. I'm not really a fan of iOS for this, feels clunky and some info I have to manually enter.
4. Music store. Yes, I've owned a Zune since they came out and have a Music pass. Yes, I know I'm throwing money away because I've built a collection that will vanish if I forget to give MS $10 next month. Yes, I own a Ford as well so I can use Sync. I still like it.
5. Live Tiles. I know they have gotten mixed reviews, but I like being able to check calls, messages, news and weather at a glance. I have my screen sorted by most to least important.
6. Wireless charging. I love being able to plop my phone down and have it charge. No cables, no hassle.
7. Perfect screen size for me. Maybe at times I think it'a a little too big, but for the most part it's the right amount.

What I DON'T like about the 920/WinPhone OS:
1. GPS can be infuriatingly slow/inaccurate. If I'm not in a Nokia GPS app the phone will assume I haven't moved since it last checked. I have to go to Nokia Here, wait up to a minute for it to realize I moved, then I can go back to the other app to use the GPS features (like Yelp). I had the phone swapped out for a different issue and the GPS sucks on this one also, so i know it's not hardware.
2. Headliner Apps missing/glitchy. I was one of those people that said "I don't care about apps!", until I couldn't deposit a check from my phone. Songza just came out and it's already broken, and when I'm driving to work I setup a hot-spot to use Waze on my iPhone so I can get live traffic updates. (For real, if you're not using that app you need to get it.)
3. No cool Bluetooth gadgets. Seems like there is a BT add-on for just about anything you could want, unless you have a windows phone.
4. Damn back-lit buttons... Nokia, fix this.
5. Battery life could be a little better. It's not the worst, but come 5PM I'm looking for a charger if I didn't keep my phone plugged in during the day.

So that's a quick list off the top of my head. I am tempted by the Nokia 1020 since I've played with it and really enjoy the sensor on it. That being said I'd like to get back my apps and a working GPS, I'm a die hard Waze user and would love to get it back on my main phone; which means Droid or iOS (since google just bought the company who made the app).

So given the list above, what phone would you say I should check out as a replacement? I'm not in a big rush, so I can wait if there is something coming out in the next couple months that will be a perfect fit.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dlock13]

I would say if you want stock Android, wait for the Nexus 5. If you want a complete all-in-one device, go for the Note 3. If you like that screen size, then I say go with the Moto X (customizable, Google owned, solid device/feel). If you like iOS7 at all, then get an iPhone.

Now, the thing about it really is how much do you rely on certain services (not apps). Say Google services are all on Android and iOS, not WP as you already know. iOS, can't set default apps still. Android, well, if you've used an Android device, you know their shortcomings.

The 1020 looks amazing by the way. I've been looking for one for cheap, and I cannot find one at all. It's either so great that no one wants to sell it or it's that bad that no one purchased one.

Either way, I suggest waiting till the end of the month to see what the Nexus 5 brings or what Nokia brings.

One more thing, I'll gladly take that 920 off your hands.

 

[bearxor]

The 1020 is just too new with too little availability to be widespread on the used market. Maybe in another 3 or 4 months.

But the 920 to the 1020 isn't a upgrade unless you just want the nicer camera.

My advice would be to wait. We should have several new Windows Phone devices with better hardware announced soon and, of course, the Nexus 5 anytime now. You'll have a lot to choose from by the end of November.

 

[SketchMaster]

The Note is just way too big, my friend has one and I couldn't lug that thing around with me (If I need to work, I'll have my surface pro out). The nexus 5 could be interesting, but I'll wait for a hands on review before I think of buying.

The HTC One grabbed my attention a couple months ago while at Bestbuy, I really liked the feel of it and the customized OS seemed to have a lot of what I was looking for as far as "at a glance" experience. THe only gripe I would have is Linked-in doesn't really work very well with HTC sense. The Camera seems to be pretty decent however. No wireless charging isn't a huge deal breaker for me, but it is a pretty useful feature. One big worry would be if the One will be supported by Kit-Kat.

The iP5S is on my list but it's maybe at the middle, just after the 1020. iOS7 is a welcome refresh to the iOS system, but left me pretty underwhelmed since my Nokia and most Droids offer more of what I'm looking for in an OS.

I may sell my 920, but it's pretty beat up. When I got it replaced they didn't give me a new screen protector and I never got around to buying one thinking this case would keep it safe. It didn't, it actually tore the back up and rubbed the protective coating off the screen right in the middle so oil builds up on it now. There are also some nice scratches, so I'd sell it for parts or as a fixer-upper. :-/ Every one of my iPs spent their lives in a Otter Box, I wish they had come out with a case for the 920 at the time.

 

[maevinj]

I would definitely wait a little while. Nokia is having a big show on the 22nd of October to announce new devices. You can check them out and check out the Nexus 5 when it comes out.

 

[RandomFool]

I'd wait to see what Nokia comes out with and/or the Nexus 5. I wouldn't buy a non-Nexus without knowing it's going to get timely updates for the next two years.

There is technically a Waze WP app but it's a closed beta. They got bought by Google right after accepting a bunch of people into the program and popular opinion is that it'll never be officially released now.

 

[bearxor]

There is technically a Waze WP app but it's a closed beta. They got bought by Google right after accepting a bunch of people into the program and popular opinion is that it'll never be officially released now.

Yep. I remember posting somewhere at the time that I bet Google bought Waze just to shut down the WP port.

I don't really believe that, but it's funny when I think about it.

It will be a pleasant surprise should the app ever officially make it.

Edit: Just like there's a HBO Go app on WP too, but it's only available in some weird European country where they can't even afford a television to begin with.

 

[notposting]

It doesn't really help, but I've seen that GPS behavior in Zillow as well. But not in all apps that find a location...not sure what's up with that.

edit: have a 928

 

[notposting]

Also, it is sounding like WP8.1 realistically won't be hitting until spring time, so if you don't want to wait that long WP is probably out of the question for now.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Given your list I vote you buy a 5S.

 

[dlock13]

I'd still take that 920. I don't mind beat up phones!

Also, what notposting said, it makes sense to wait till 8.1 drops before even considering a WP unless you want the 1020 that bad (MS is giving them away for free at their store w/ a 2 year contract).

Regardless, I feel your 2 main options then would be Nexus 5 or an iPhone 5S. Those are realistic IMO.

 

[vi edit]

The Note is just way too big, my friend has one and I couldn't lug that thing around with me (If I need to work, I'll have my surface pro out). The nexus 5 could be interesting, but I'll wait for a hands on review before I think of buying.

Eh. I went from a 920 to a Note and find the note easier to handle and not any more bulky than the 920. 920 is a very wide phone and due to the shape and weight was very awkward using one handed.

That said, the camera on the 5s is *VERY* good. I thought the camera on the 920 was terribly overrated and only "special" under very low lighting conditions. In everyday use an iPhone will spit out better images for most people.

 

[pantsaregood]

There's honestly nothing out right now that's going to be a worthwhile upgrade (on any of the three operating systems) over a Lumia 920. The Nexus 5 and whatever Nokia's new devices (likely running Snapdragon 800s) will probably be pretty nice, but they aren't going to make you go "damn, that Lumia 920 was slow."

 

[Crono]

I had a Lumia 920 for a short while and loved it. Only replaced it because it was damaged (screen defect) on arrival, ended up waiting for the One back in March. Love the HTC One, and I have a feeling most other WP users will like it, too. I've got a Lumia 521 right now, too, and have owned a bunch of other Windows Phone devices, but the One is my current favorite smartphone. The 920 does have a better camera, though, even for low-light it's better (but they are similar enough).

Nexus 5 might be worth it, but the One still has enough features and virtually zero lag to make it a very good choice. Xbox Music app is on Android now, albeit without the option to keep music on device - yet. Google Play Music is an acceptable alternative, as is Spotify. I've been using Zune/Xbox Music since the days of 30GB original Zune, and it's one of the reasons I picked up the Kin One, several Windows Phone 7 phones, and the Lumia 920 and now a 521. I still prefer using the 521 w/32GB microSD as a separate device for my music, but I also stream a ton whenever I'm on WiFi over my One (hate to go too much over my 3GB data on AT&T).

As far as I am concerned, having both a WP8 device and a HTC One is the best of both worlds. Now if Microsoft is successful at getting HTC to make their phones with dual boot Android/Windows THAT would be perfect.