Windows Phone weak in Nokia 822 but contender in the Nokia 920

The Nokia Lumia 920 is another phone using the Windows Phone 8 operating system, but this smartphone offers a gorgeous screen, rich speaker and an excellent camera.

The Nokia Lumia 920 is another phone using the Windows Phone 8 operating system, but this smartphone offers a gorgeous screen, rich speaker and an excellent camera.

Monday, January 28, 2013

— I admit, I’m a bit of a Windows Phone skeptic, and last week’s review of Nokia Lumia 822 from Verizon didn’t do much to shake that skepticism. Sure, it had some nice features, but a so-so effort on some of its features left me less than impressed.

So when AT&T offered to let me try out the Nokia 920, I had to raise an eyebrow. Another Nokia phone, another Windows Phone 8 device. How different could they be?

Night and day, folks. Night and day.

It seems almost as if the Lumia 822 was a prototype and the 920 is the final version. Many of the features I found subpar in the 822 are greatly improved with the 920. It’s hard to believe these phones come from the same manufacturer.

One of my biggest complaints with the Lumia 822 was the “cheap” feel of the plastic on the outside. I was surprised to learn the Lumia 920 also had a plastic exterior, mainly because it doesn’t feel cheap. The back of the phone is textured to have almost a brushed-metal feel. While this makes it so much easier to grip, it also gives the phone a bit more sophistication. The 920 is also a bit heavier and taller with a bigger, more vibrant screen. It really provides a beefier feel to the phone, but not so much that it makes the phone uncomfortable to hold.

The screen on the Lumia 920 isn’t just bigger, it’s crystal clear and absolutely gorgeous. Colors are rich and images sharp on this screen. Photos look fantastic on it, especially when taken with the 8.7-megapixel camera. Yes, the camera is better, too. Unlike the 822’s camera, this one had no problem in low light. It also produces amazing macro shots and even good photos using the digital zoom.

The battery life is really impressive on the Lumia 920. The phone boasts over 18 hours of talk time, but realistically, you have to factor in checking e-mail, surfing the Internet and watching video. I easily got through the day using the phone. I can’t say the same for other phones I’ve used or tested.

Perhaps my biggest peeve regarding the Lumia 822 was the speaker. It was absolutely awful. Once again, the 920 blows it out of the water. The sound quality here is so much better. Music sounds like it’s coming out of a true stereo, instead of a cheap speaker made for a child’s toy.

The 920 is running the same Windows Phone 8 system as the 822, but a robust 1.5 Ghz dual-core processer makes it a lot smoother in the 920.

In use, the phone’s response just flies. Granted, it’s still Windows Phone 8, so it lacks the number of apps available for Android and iOS phones. And while it also can be confusing to navigate, it’s still better than the old Windows Mobile system.

The Lumia 920 also has that “tap and send” feature, which is often highlighted in commercials. It allows users to take a file, such as a photo, and send it to a compatible phone by holding the phones together and tapping on the photo. Both Lumia phones have this feature, so I was able to transfer files easily. While it is a nice feature, in reality it uses a common method of wireless transfer - Bluetooth. Still, it is kind of nifty to use.

The 920 has another very interesting feature: It can charge “wirelessly.” That means you don’t actually plug a power cord into the phone to charge it. Instead, you lay it on a flat device called a “charging plate,” which enables it to charge through contact with that device. The charger, however, does have a wire that connects it to a power plug.

This is a cool feature, but it does have its faults. Specifically, if you need to charge your phone in the car, you’re out of luck charging it wirelessly because the charging plate is incompatible with standard car chargers.

Luckily, Nokia thought about the fact that automobiles still have to catch up to the concept of wireless phone charging. A Micro USB port in the bottom of the phone will allow you to charge the phone with a wire - which users must supply on their own. That shouldn’t be a problem: Micro USB wires are available at most retailers.

The Nokia Lumia 920 really turned around my opinion of Windows phones. Lovely screen, great camera, amazing sound and a speedy processor make this phone a contender. Those interested in giving a Windows Phone-based device a try should start with this phone.

That will teach me to be skeptical.

Melissa L. Jones can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

Business, Pages 19 on 01/28/2013