New cell phone

[CharlieKasper]

Okay, my phone's getting old. It's a Samsung GT S-3310 Metro. Really old. I've been wanting to get a new phone for approx. $200. I have the following phones in mind. They both come under $200. No, my budget cannot increase.

• Nokia Lumia 520 - My primary choice
  
  • 4.0 inches - IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen (480 x 800 pixels - 16 M colours); Multi touch: Up to four fingers
  • Qualcomm MSM8227: 1 GHz Dual Core; Adreno 305 GPU
  • 512 MB RAM; 8 GB Internal Memory (4.4 GB user available), expandable up to 64 GB
  • Camera 5 MP, autofocus - 1/4'' sensor size, geo-tagging; Video - 720p @ 30FPS
• Sony Xperia E
  
  • 3.5 inches - TFT capacitive touchscreen (320 x 480 pixels - 256K colours); Multitouch: Up to 2 fingers
  • Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon: 1 GHz Cortex-A5; Adreno 200 GPU
  • 512 MB RAM; 4GB Internal Memory (2 GB user available), expandable up to 32 GB
  • 3.15 MP, Geo-tagging; Video - VGA@30fps

Now it's obvious that the Nokia Lumia 520 is the most powerful here, but the question remains at the operating system. I know about Android but I've got no idea of Windows Phone 8. There are not many applications for Lumia but the current line up is fine for me as I will be using only a few applications (Skype, Whatsapp, Outlook, Facebook, and a few games that I'll be happy to pay for). I've got a few questions still.

• I couldn't find any Facebook messenger in the app store but I read that there already comes an inbuilt Facebook messenger in the phone, is that true?
  
  
• Will my social applications (Skype, Whatsapp, Facebook, Facebook messenger) run on the background and keep receiving updates and notifications jut like any Android/iOS device even when I'm not using my phone?
• Will other third party applications be added sooner or later?
• Microsoft announced that windows 8 users can update their OS to Windows 8.1 (Blue) for free. Does it include the Lumia users?

Now I always was an Android fan boy but ever since I read about the Lumia series, my interest for the 520 has increased and I like it more than an Android device now. Also, I maybe able to get the Lumia 520 at a real cheap price ($120-$150) as a family friend works in Nokia. If nothing actually works out as I want, I'll go for Xperia E.

Please respond, thanks.

[cchipscookies]

I would say go for the Xperia. I use an Xperia Z. It's good. And you WILL be promised for future updates.

As for the Nokia, it's not so good anymore. (Nokia started to suck since they made those S60 phones...). Windows app store is quite crap and you can't upgrade your windows phone version. (eg- you have windows phone 7, you can't upgrade to windows phone 8.) While android can be upgraded (e.g- 2.3 to 4.1 JB).

Also the music player in Sony is AWESOME. Lots of bass, 3d sound etc...

As for software updates, Nokia uses Windows PHONE and the 8.1 update you mentioned was for Windows 8 (Desktop OS).

Just go for the xperia. You won't regret it.

[CharlieKasper]

I chose Nokia for its specs. The Xperia Miro comes closest to the Lumia but it costs $40 more. I can buy the Lumia within in a month as I would get a discount by asking the friend I spoke about.

Anyway, thanks for the input. I'll be buying a phone within three month, definitely take your input into consideration.

I want opinions of Windows Phone 8 Users!

[jannik852]

BUY AN IPHONE 5!!!    :banana: :rules:  :banana:

[CharlieKasper]

I would have got it if I had the money.

[cchipscookies]

Actually don't. iPhone 5s/6 is coming out in 2-3 months 

[Ricardo_Banderaz]

About the Nokia Lumia, I dont know if i used this exact model or not but Lumia's first expression was totally crap to me. It's touch screen and dimension of the mobile was not my type.

I've also used Sony Xperias. I've used Xperia U, SL that I guess are much cheaper than the one you are talking about and It was good enough.

I'll suggest you to go with Xperia, that's my opinion. 

[Hevar.]

I love my Samsung Galaxy S4 <3


Best phone ever, soo fucking awesome !!!

[CharlieKasper]

I need opinions of people using Windows Phone 8!

[Marcel]

Windows Phone 8 is a fine OS. Needs some upgrading here and there and some more diversity in the appstore.

[Ted]

Answer to all of your questions: Yes.

On paper the Lumia 520 beats the Xperia E but just remember what's on paper does not always equate to real world usage. Android has more options/capabilities for modifications to the operating system both visually in regards to theming and software. Whereas Windows Phone is pretty much what you see is all you will ever get especially in terms of theming. You can still get custom roms with Windows Phone as you would with Android if that's your thing.

As mentioned above the store for Windows Phones can be rather lacking, some apps which exist within Android, Ovi, Appstore may not exist within Windows Phone. One thing about any Windows Phone is that the operating system appears totally smooth and seamless which I really loved when I used my Lumia 710(which with the help of a custom rom was updated to 7.8 from the original 7), Comparing that to Android which can have very noticeable lag even on phones with oomph.

That's my waffle anyway. What I suggest you do is try both phones out I'm sure there is a shop around you somewhere which has both of these in stock and have demo phones to hand, that way you can see for yourself which you'd prefer... if any.

[Mikal]

It's called a mobile!

[Giuseppe]

I need opinions of people using Windows Phone 8!

Windows 8 is really, really good.

[CharlieKasper]

About the Nokia Lumia, I dont know if i used this exact model or not but Lumia's first expression was totally crap to me. It's touch screen and dimension of the mobile was not my type.

I've also used Sony Xperias. I've used Xperia U, SL that I guess are much cheaper than the one you are talking about and It was good enough.

I'll suggest you to go with Xperia, that's my opinion. 

The Xperia U & SL cost more than E. If I had the extra $40, I would have gone for Miro, atleast. Right now, my budget limits me to Xperia E and Lumia 520.

Answer to all of your questions: Yes.

On paper the Lumia 520 beats the Xperia E but just remember what's on paper does not always equate to real world usage. Android has more options/capabilities for modifications to the operating system both visually in regards to theming and software. Whereas Windows Phone is pretty much what you see is all you will ever get especially in terms of theming. You can still get custom roms with Windows Phone as you would with Android if that's your thing.

As mentioned above the store for Windows Phones can be rather lacking, some apps which exist within Android, Ovi, Appstore may not exist within Windows Phone. One thing about any Windows Phone is that the operating system appears totally smooth and seamless which I really loved when I used my Lumia 710(which with the help of a custom rom was updated to 7.8 from the original 7), Comparing that to Android which can have very noticeable lag even on phones with oomph.

That's my waffle anyway. What I suggest you do is try both phones out I'm sure there is a shop around you somewhere which has both of these in stock and have demo phones to hand, that way you can see for yourself which you'd prefer... if any.

I like the windows 8 theme, especially the live tiles, kind of why it chose it over Android. Yes, it lacks applications but right now I would be fine with it. I honestly hope though developers soon start making their applications for Windows P8 in case I buy it.

What do you mean by custom roms? I've never heard of it before. :o

P.S. You know anything about these? :-

• I couldn't find any Facebook messenger in the app store but I read that there already comes an inbuilt Facebook messenger in the phone, is that true?
  
  
• Will my social applications (Skype, Whatsapp, Facebook, Facebook messenger) run on the background and keep receiving updates and notifications jut like any Android/iOS device even when I'm not using my phone?
• Will other third party applications be added sooner or later?

[Ricardo_Banderaz]

The Xperia U & SL cost more than E. If I had the extra $40, I would have gone for Miro, atleast. Right now, my budget limits me to Xperia E and Lumia 520.

Well, E is much expensive than U here though, I'll still go with Xperia and yes, I agree with Ted. It's not what on the paper. I'll give you an advice, go and try out both before buying if possible.