I might be leaving Windows Phone.......maybe
FYI this post may be a little long for some so feel free to just read the points that interest you. I might be leaving Windows Phone.......maybe. Let me start off by saying I have been with Windows Phone from the beginning, started with a LG Quantum in February 2011 so I have experienced the platform grow/mature. I have been an advocate for Windows Phone and believe it?s the best from an operating system standpoint. I am considering going to Android for a few reasons; I'll list them first in a random fashion (for those who don't want to read all this!) and then elaborate my points. 1) No flagship: My 1020 is messing up so I may need a phone soon, but I don't see anything I would want to upgrade to. 2) Concerns with app support (like Bank of America leaving). 3) Feeling compromised being a windows phone user. 4) Getting tired of waiting for the platform take-off 5) Competition.
Now that is out of the way, let's begin. I am actually happy with Windows Phone from a software/feature perspective, and prefer it to use it over the others. I feel we are on par with the competition as an OS, but software/features is only one piece of the puzzle.
1) No current flagship. I know everyone is tired of us complaining about this, but I don't see the problem with wanting to experience Windows Phone with technology better than the phone you've had for over a year. My 1020 came out at a weird time when WP didn't have the capability to do certain things (didn't support 1080p, screen size limited, processor limited, etc). All of these things are possible now with WP, but this somewhat limited the device from being future proof. I love my 1020, but it is not a perfect device. Small screen by today's standards, slow processing of pics because of an old chipset, no expandable storage in a phone where pictures take up a lot more space, and honestly I feel at least a 1080p screen would be ideal to few these wonderful pics I am taking. I say all that to say this: The technology is out there to make this the perfect phone and I have been patiently waiting. The issue now is that my phone has been acting up so I may be in need of a new phone soon. My plan was to wait until Microsoft revealed the next flagship, but it is taking FOREVER!!! You may ask why not just get another 1020? Phones have come so far since the 1020 has been released and I want to take advantage of these advancements (mainly screen size, resolution, and processing power). The one area my 1020 excels is the camera, makes it tough to pick anything to be honest. It's been over a year since Microsofts latest flagship and in today's climate I think that's far too long. I actually bought the Lumia 830, but ended up returning it because of the camera (wasn?t satisfied). I also had a 1520 briefly, but I?m not willing to live with a phone that big (personal preference). I know they are holding on to it until Windows 10 is released, but they could at least put out a thin refreshed 930 or something to satisfy the high-end market. People buy phones every day and if you don't have what they want when they need it; they may go elsewhere. If I switched to Android I would have PLENTY of options. Not just one (the HTC M8 is my one real option, but I prefer Lumias).
2) Concerns with app support. I tell people all the time that I am not really an app person. As long as the apps I need are there, I?ll manage. Bank of America pulling their support for Windows Phone recently was a big deal me since that is one of the FEW apps I consider a necessity. The problem is they are not the first major company to do this and situations like this are not good for the platform. It?s becoming hard for me to even recommend Windows Phone when essential apps are not available. The credit cards I use all have apps for iOS and Android, but not Windows Phone. I could deal with that, but the company I bank with is a different story. I?m a big Instagram user and luckily we have 6tag (great app) because our Instagram ?BETA? app has not been touched in over a year. One thing I have noticed is that apps are noticeably better in quality/development (in some cases) on competing platforms. CNN, ESPN, Instagram to name a few. We may have the best user interface (IMO), but their app quality is a cut above ours to be honest. I personally don?t feel an app gap (except with banking now lol), but that is important to a lot of people. We can beg developers all we want, but unless market share noticeably increases app support will not be first class (in some cases no app at all). Issue eliminated if I switched
3) Feeling compromised as a WP user. As stated earlier, I have been here since the beginning. Being a WP user I feel that I always have to compromise on something and after 4 years I?m really tired of it. At first it was features, then hardware limitations, developer support as usual, and now I feel compromised because there is no Windows Phone out now that I want to upgrade to. All these problems would be fixed if I switched
4) Getting tired of waiting for the platform take-off. I get really excited with every big update to the OS (Mango update, WP8, WP8.1) thinking ?THIS WILL BE OUR YEAR? and I have been let down every time. Now, I have never been disappointed with the Operating System just the overall success of the platform. Part of the problem is definitely bias tech journalist who in fact can influence their audiences very well. Also I feel from a marketing and supply chain perspective the push is just not there by Microsoft. Take the 920 for example: I feel that could have been a big driver for the platform, but the momentum was dulled at carrier exclusivity. A flagship phone only available for AT&T in the states (luckily I?m with AT&T). I understand it?s not easy to get phones on all carriers, but this for some reason is still happening (happened with the 920, 1020, Icon/930, 1520). Speaking about marketing, not one of these phones got the push it deserved (well maybe the 1020 did). It?s been exciting seeing the growth of the platform, but I?m tired of dealing with barriers to growth that can be resolved (but never seem to change).
5) Competition. I admit I used to be an Android hater. I thought it looked old/dated, too laggy, bugs, etc. The truth is, most of these problems have been fixed within the past 12 months. With the new Lollipop update for the first time I can actually say I am impressed with their operating system. I still think WP is the better of the two, but Android isn?t far behind. Problem is all the points I mentioned in this post as major concerns on WP would be a non-issue by switching to Android. I may be losing something in the user experience by switching, but the gains I would experience where Windows Phone lacks make me really question my loyalty.
Almost done guys, I know this is long lol. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and the HTC One M9 are really tempting since my phone is acting up. I want to stay with Windows to see the flagship they plan to release this year, but outside of giving me the flagship I?ve been waiting patiently for the other concerns are not resolved. Now here is what I may end up doing. I may buy the new Lumia 640XL if it?s not too big (so I?ll have a working phone) to hold me over until Microsofts new flagship(s) and FULL Windows 10 reveal this year and then make this VERY TOUGH decision (to stay or leave). I know I will be impressed with what Windows 10 brings, but I will do my best to muster this last bit of hope to stay?..
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