The best smartphones on Windows Mobile

Microsoft Lumia 950/950 XL

Characteristics:

Screen: AMOLED 5.2 inches, 2560x1440 / 5.7 inches, 2560x1440
Processor: Hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 / Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
Memory: 3 GB RAM, 32 GB permanent
Cameras: Main 20 MP, front 5 MP
Battery: 3000 mAh / 3340 mAh

The list of the best Windows smartphones opens with the flagship from Microsoft – the Lumia 950 model, which is offered in two versions: regular and XL. They differ from each other in display diagonal size, processor and battery capacity. When producing flagship phones, Microsoft focuses on the business segment, so the Lumia 950 contains full-featured versions of Office applications and the Outlook email client, and also supports Continuum technology, which allows you to connect a Windows 10 smartphone to a special docking station and monitor, and work with it, as with a full-fledged computer - edit documents, browse web pages, communicate via video conference, and so on.

Advantages:

Large screen with WQHD resolution
Powerful processor
Camera with ZEISS optics
Convenient applications for business

Flaws:

Design inappropriate for flagship status
Case heating during load and charging

Model withdrawn from sale

Pros and cons of Windows Phone OS from Microsoft: help from Zuzako editors

Before you buy a new Windows Phone, you need to study the advantages and disadvantages of this device, and also compare it with iOS and Android models. Our editorial office will help you in this matter.

Main advantages:

High speed. Even budget mobile phones running Windows OS are faster than many expensive devices running Android and iOS.
Malware protection. Standard smartphones are more often attacked by viruses than Windows gadgets. This is explained by the fact that you can download applications, programs and games for Windows Backgrounds only from official sources, where the likelihood of “catch” a virus is reduced to zero.
Economical. Windows smartphones consume minimal battery power. Therefore, one charge can be enough for 2-3 days of active use of the gadget.
Continuous improvement of the OS. Microsoft constantly releases system updates. This increases network security, reduces the number of operational errors and virtually eliminates the likelihood of serious problems.
Ability to use MS Office. Popular office applications on smartphones running Windows OS are full-fledged programs that are not inferior in their capabilities to their computer counterparts.

Main disadvantages:

Standard design. Owners of Windows smartphones are limited in their ability to change the interface. They can only change the color of the design and screen saver.
Difficulty setting the ringtone. It will be quite difficult to set your favorite ringtone. To do this, you will have to perform many steps that only advanced users know about.
Single-tasking. Windows phones can open many different programs at the same time. However, only one of them will be able to work actively.
Minimum applications. The market offers a small number of programs and games that can be installed on a smartphone. In addition, many of them are sold for money.

If you decide to buy yourself a Windows Phone, then be sure to read our article. It describes the best devices that combine good quality, an excellent set of characteristics and a relatively low cost.

HP Elite X3

Characteristics:

Screen: AMOLED 6 inches, 2560x1440
Processor: Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
Memory: 4 GB RAM, 64 GB permanent
Cameras: Main 16 MP, front 8 MP
Battery: 4150 mAh

The company's flagship Windows 10 smartphone rightfully occupies a leading position in the rankings of the best mobile devices of 2016. The manufacturer installed the most productive hardware at the time of its release into the top gadget, and also added a number of useful functions, such as support for hot-swap SIM cards, wireless battery charging, a USB Type-C port and double biometric authentication using rainbow scanners eye and fingerprints. The powerful “filling” is combined with a nice design of the device.

Advantages:

Large display and WQHD resolution
Flagship design and high-quality assembly
Useful additional features

Flaws:

High price
Combined slot for SIM cards and memory cards

Model withdrawn from sale

Conclusions on the topic

Mobile devices based on Microsoft, like all others, have been actively integrated into everyday life. For work, conversations, storing information, this is one of the best options.

But when buying such a smartphone, you need to remember its limitations in terms of downloading applications. It is not very suitable for “heavy” games and similar programs.

Have you had experience using Microsoft Lumia or another device on this platform? Please share your impressions and write why you don’t want to part with (or, conversely, have already changed) this phone. There is a block form for feedback just below.

Acer Jade Primo

Characteristics:

Screen: AMOLED 5.5 inches, 1920x1080
Processor: Six-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
Memory: 3 GB RAM, 32 GB permanent
Cameras: Main 21 MP, front 8 MP
Battery: 2870 mAh

The Acer Jade line of smartphones comes pre-installed with Android OS, but one model in the line, the Acer Jade Primo, runs Windows Phone. The smartphone is made in a non-separable plastic case with rounded corners, contains a fairly powerful “filling” and supports Continuum technology, while the manufacturer includes a docking station for connecting to a monitor.

Advantages:

Monolithic body
Docking station for Continuum function included

Flaws:

High price
Not the most capacious battery

Model withdrawn from sale

Archos 50 Cesium

Little is known about this company's mobile devices. It never strived to become a leader in the mobile industry, so its devices did not have unattainable prices. All the more interesting is their new product from the category of “windophones”. The smartphone has average characteristics and a standard appearance. But in terms of price it is closer to state employees. Even the monsters of the mobile industry cannot create a cheap and powerful enough gadget, because they all want to get a kickback for the brand. But Archos doesn’t need this. Therefore, her latest creation may well top the best-selling list.

Xiaomi Mi4 Windows 10

Characteristics:

Screen: IPS 5 inches, 1920x1080
Processor: Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801
Memory: 2 GB RAM, 16 GB permanent
Cameras: Main 13 MP, front 8 MP
Battery: 3080 mAh

The Chinese company Xiaomi also decided to release a smartphone on the Windows platform. The result of the engineers’ work was the Mi4 Windows 10 model, equipped with a good, although not the most productive hardware to date, and made in a thin (only 8.9 mm) monolithic metal case. Among the features of the smartphone are the fast charging function and the presence of an infrared port, which allows you to control household appliances using proprietary applications.

Advantages:

Monolithic body
Capacious battery

Flaws:

Non-removable battery
Lack of memory card slot

Model withdrawn from sale

Alcatel POP2 Windows

A gadget that was announced back in 2014. However, its release is scheduled for 2022. The device is a budget phone based on Windows 8.1. Its power is sufficient to solve all everyday problems. You can also play, but not the coolest games. The device is too weak for them. But there is support for the latest generation cellular networks. And it is absolutely impossible to imagine a modern smartphone without this. The gadget will appeal not only to students. Many will find him attractive. And if we take into account that the price will not be particularly burdensome, then POP2 may even become a bestseller.

Alcatel has been known for its phones since the early 2000s. However, in the era of smartphones, the manufacturer was left behind and could not break into the mobile device market. Perhaps POP2 Windows will somehow change the situation? I would like to believe this, since the company is not bad. Her devices have always been of high quality.

Nokia Lumia 930

Characteristics:

Screen: OLED 5 inches, 1920x1080
Processor: Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
Memory: 2 GB RAM, 32 GB permanent
Cameras: Main 20 MP, front 1.2 MP
Battery: 2420 mAh

This Windows smartphone was launched under the Nokia brand, and became very popular among Windows Phone fans. Gadget lovers were attracted by the monolithic body with a nice design, high-performance hardware at the time of release, a bright OLED display with FullHD resolution, a camera with ZEISS optics and support for PureView technology, which allows you to shoot high-quality photos and videos.

Advantages:

Monolithic body
Bright display made using OLED technology
Camera with ZEISS optics
Original design

Flaws:

Non-removable and not the most capacious battery
Lack of memory card slot

Model withdrawn from sale

Acer Liquid M220

Another brainchild from Acer. The company tried to make a high-quality, inexpensive and productive smartphone based on Windows. Did they succeed or not? It's up to the users to decide. But externally the device looks very decent. There are no complaints about performance: we have before us a confident “average”. And for the price it is very pleasant. It is worth noting that Acer is one of the few that provides all its devices with timely updates. And this is another plus in the company’s track record. By choosing Acer products, you will definitely always be in trend, despite the “antiquity” of your smartphone.

Microsoft Lumia 640/640 XL

Characteristics:

Screen: IPS 5 inches, 1280x720 / 5.7 inches, 1280x720
Processor: Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400
Memory: 1 GB RAM, 8 GB permanent
Cameras: Main 8 MP, front 1 MP / Main 13 MP, front 5 MP
Battery: 2500 mAh / 3000 mAh

A budget model that has become truly “popular” thanks to its affordable price and good hardware characteristics. Available in two variations, differing from each other in the size of the display diagonal, the resolution of the main and front cameras, and battery capacity. Microsoft has also released a newer model, the Lumia 650, with similar specifications but a less powerful processor.

Advantages:

Capacious battery
Affordable price
Separate slots for SIM cards and memory cards

Flaws:

Dull design
Slippery plastic body

Model withdrawn from sale

Dexp Ixion W5

A smartphone from a little-known and not entirely clear manufacturer. According to some information, Dexp is a Russian company that sells equipment from “leftist” Chinese manufacturers under its own brand. Knowing this, you need to be extremely careful. However, the device looks very tempting. For a frankly low price, the user is offered a gadget with average characteristics. This alone should be alarming. And reviews about the manufacturer in general, and about the model in particular, are not encouraging. Owners complain about clumsy assembly, constant firmware glitches and a complete lack of updates. Even though it runs Windows.

Judging by the reviews of the owners of this company’s equipment, it does not deserve trust. However, smartphones from this manufacturer can be purchased by those who care about the price of the device, not its quality. If you are guided only by this principle, then Dexp products are very, very attractive. But nothing more.

HTC Mozart 7

The next device from the category of “Windows phones” is HTC Mozart 7. It has Windows Phone 8.1 firmware. At least version 7.5 is supplied from the factory. So there is no need to panic. The device is positioned as “musical”, although there is nothing musical (by modern standards) in it. In general, the device is from the category of “ancient”. But some people will like it. Because of the appearance. Gadgets from NTS from the past have a unique design. Their appearance stands out among the faceless modern soap boxes.

The smartphone, meanwhile, can be successfully used as a regular dialer, GPS navigator and MP3 player. But it is not suitable for surfing the Internet. The screen is too small. But for the money that is now being asked for this gadget (used, of course, since it has already been discontinued), the set of functions is quite adequate. Well, beautiful and functional gadgets have always been HTC's specialty. Windows Phone 8 on board (after updating) is also a good bonus.