Phone Suggestion

[devlin525]

I'm not really sure if this is the correct place to post but since this is the general part might as well try.

I'm currently using Lumia 520 for almost 2 years now with Windows 10. I admit it is laggy cause it just have 512MB of ram but not unusable. I'm currently using it as my daily driver just fine.

Now I'm planning on buying a new Lumia phone (but I've read too many articles saying the WP is dying but nahh, who cares, I like the phone). I'm currently looking at the 550 but most reviews say it is bad and that it is a downgrade from the previous generation. I just like how it looks like and the logo on the back. There's also the 830 but it is too expensive.

So can anyone suggestion a phone? What i'm looking for is the following factors:

• Not too big or wide
• Not too expensive
• Not really going to play games on it
• Not laggy with Windows 10
• I don't really care with continuum
• Has Flash, I really like the 520 but I hate it does not have Flash for the light purposes
• I will just be using it for communication, music, take photos occasionally

 

[prasanna moholkar]

For all Lumia 640 DS or Lumia 640 XL is best.

 

[Pacus1x]

You can't go wrong with the 640.

Coming from a 920, in some ways is even better like the size, much conformable to hold and the performance is good as long you perform a hard reset after the W10m update. Since you're coming from the 520... you will note a lot of difference.

 

[libra89]

I think the 550 would be great for your purposes, but if you can find a 640, that would be even better.

With the 550, forget about taking pictures in low light, it just isn't going to work out.

 

[EspHack]

640 822 1520 and icon are the best bang for the buck right now on ebay, if you don't live in the US get the 640 then

 

[devlin525]

Thanks for the input. Seems like 640 is really nice. But the brand new price here in my country (Philippines, 46.71PHP = 1USD) is quite expensive ($470, $513) and is shipped locally, there is also a $171 but is shipped from abroad which might pose some problems.

I have searched for some used WP and I have found some so maybe I can ask input regarding these devices.
Lumia 1520 - $278
Lumia 1320 - $118
Lumia 830 - $182

 

[devlin525]

I think I will be going with the Lumia 830 instead, would is still be a great choice?

 

[RumoredNow]

Lumia 830 gets dismissed a lot, mainly due to the over-inflated cost at release.

It's a fine phone with a top of the line camera in a slightly reduced MP format. The 10MP shooter has all the bells and whistles though: Zeiss, OIS, .dng capable. I also like the styling.

1320 has that dual core SoC going against it and is an evolutionary dead end in terms of W10M.

1520 remains a Beast of a phone.

1520 would be most capable, but budget seems to be a prime deciding factor. 830 is a very worthwhile device. You could rock it proudly, IMHO.

 

[mark233]

I agree with RumoredNow. The 830 is a good choice (now) if budget is a concern. The Lumia camera is very impressive (at least on Win 8.1). Also I want to add that I've yet had a phone that has the sound quality that this 830 has in video recording. I know there may be some but I'm just speaking of the phones I personally use.

 

[devlin525]

That explains why these used 1320's are being sold at a low price.

Thank you so much guys.

I will be looking out for the 830 and 640. And if I somehow manage to increase my budget then I will not think twice of buying the 1520.

 

[RippyD]

Adding to this thread rather than creating a new one. Similar issue: need a new Windows phone. Can't really afford the 950, as much as I would like it. Sorry missed the buy-one-get-one deal in April. I want a phone that will run Win 10 well. Open to any opinions.

New prices in the U.S.:

950: $375. Some people have gotten them below $300. Wish I had not missed the buy-one-get-one offer in April.
1520: $210. People here seem to love this phone. A little larger than I want.
830: $150. Seems like a bargain.
930: $230. Not sure why I would get this rather than a 1520
640: $80. Fantastic price, but the XL looks like a much better phone.
640XL: $150, but not sure about warranty. Looks like $210 to get one with a warranty

 

[RumoredNow]

950: $375. Some people have gotten them below $300. Wish I had not missed the buy-one-get-one offer in April.
I sometimes think the same. Then I remember I have a 1520, shrug, and get on with things.

1520: $210. People here seem to love this phone. A little larger than I want.
It is still a beast. Going on 2 years with mine and it keeps me from spending on a flagship.

830: $150. Seems like a bargain.
Had an 830 and Loved it. At times I wish I hadn't passed it on.

930: $230. Not sure why I would get this rather than a 1520
I'd never pay more than a 1520 to get a 930 and you have LTE compatibility issues with a 930 in the States.

640: $80. Fantastic price, but the XL looks like a much better phone.
Jumped on one at $30 and it was the best phone value I ever scored... But I agree with the second part if you want a new daily.

640XL: $150, but not sure about warranty. Looks like $210 to get one with a warranty
By all accounts the 640XL rocks. Camera is nice except no OIS or Pureview, no camera button either. 830 ticks all those boxes.

What's your budget? Who is your carrier?

Have you looked at any non-Lumia Phones?

What about built for W10M?

 

[RippyD]

What's your budget? Who is your carrier?

Have you looked at any non-Lumia Phones?

What about built for W10M?

About $200. Could go $250. T-mobile is my carrier. Looked briefly at non-Lumia phones, didn't see much of interest. Maybe I missed something. W10M (or not) isn't important to me.

 

[peachpie]

I have the 640 from Cricket Wireless and also purchased the AT&T 640 model for $30 bucks at best buy. It's a really good low budget phone. Takes great pictures. Love the size and the word flow keyboard. I'm not a heavy app user, but love pinning pages,to my start screen. Will wait to get a new phone when win10 is more stable. Heard there may be a Surface phone coming.

 

[RumoredNow]

About $200. Could go $250. T-mobile is my carrier.

If WiFi Calling is important to you then you need to stick with a T-Mo Branded phone... Non Lumia in a Branded Phone they have the Alcatel Fierce XL. Check that forum for user comments: Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL - Windows Central Forums The Alcatel is the only Windows Phone of any kind they stock right now.

Otherwise, if WiFi Calling being absent is alright I'd say 1520 or 830 are good bets. Non Lumia you may want to look at BLU Win HD LTE or Moly W5.

I drove the BLU for awhile (both 1st and 2nd gen) and it's a decent phone. See my review of the HD LTE along with some others here: http://forums.windowscentral.com/blu-win-hd-lte/352997-[real-users]-my-blu-win-hd-lte-review.html

On the Moly W5, I've not seen much and the only reviews seem to be on Amazon. I always take those with a grain of salt. It does have the same Snapdragon 210 as the 550, but my understanding is the built for W10M phones in that class are pretty smooth. I think 550 gets knocked more for on paper spec than in the hand. And at 5" the Moly W5 is thin and pretty small in terms of height/width. I like the design language of it and it is really a mix of 550 and 650... Sort of 550 internals with 650 glam and camera.

 

[RippyD]

Very helpful info, RumoredNow - thanks for that. I'll look a the stuff you mentioned and make a decision.

 

[RippyD]

No way to know, but I'd guess the Surface phone is not coming soon, especially since Intel just killed off the SoFIA SoC that was presumably going to be the platform for the Surface phone. Will take a look at Cricket 640. I'm sure it has a lot of compromises, but I'd be thrilled with a $30 phone!

EDIT: Cricket won't work. Looks like the $30 640s are gone, but I can get close to $50. Not a bad option.

 

[digitaldd]

If you are in the USA check the model # of the Nokia 830 you plan to get. The RM-983 & RM-985 models will get 4G/LTE service on T-Mobile, The RM-984 variant will not. I have the RM-983 version (the AT&T model) on T-Mobile but I had to get a friend with an active AT&T account to get ATT to unlock the phone.

 

[RippyD]

^ Great info on the 830. Thanks for the help.

 

[mark233]

If you are in the USA check the model # of the Nokia 830 you plan to get. The RM-983 & RM-985 models will get 4G/LTE service on T-Mobile, The RM-984 variant will not. I have the RM-983 version (the AT&T model) on T-Mobile but I had to get a friend with an active AT&T account to get ATT to unlock the phone.

Yes sir. I've only owned the RM 985 model and where I live I get great T-Mobile 4G LTE coverage and signal strength. Good thing to mention.