SOFTWARE
Because Phone 8X was made primarily because of the wishes of Microsoft, it stands to reason that there would be no extra elements in the mix as far as software is concerned. The Phone 8X is as close as you can get to a pure Windows Phone 8 experience. If you are upgrading from Windows Phone 7, you’ll quickly be able to find your way around the device. If you’re a recent Android convert, you’ll be slightly confused at the array of tiles that’s presented before you, but believe us when we say you’ll be able to get into the swing of things quickly.
Like we mentioned earlier, Windows Phone 8 looks extremely similar to Windows Phone 7. Most of the changes on the OS is largely for optimization purposes and hidden under the hood. There’s now support for multiple processor cores, which has been sorely lacking in the previous incarnation of the mobile operating system. Windows Phone 8 also brings higher resolution support for displays on devices using the OS, breaking the WVGA restriction set on the previous version. Windows Phone 8 now also supports NFC natively this time around.
The Modern UI looks familiar if you’re an old Windows Phone user, but this time around Windows has allowed developers to use different sizes of Live Tiles. Like other smartphones, you can sync your social networks to the device.
Speaking of social networks, they get a bit of a different treatment on Windows Phone 8 – instead of stand-alone apps, Windows Phone 8 has integrated Twitter and Facebook into the People tile. You’ll see updates from your friends and the people you follow on Twitter and Facebook straight from the People app, although you’re free to download the dedicated Facebook and Twitter app straight from the Microsoft Store if you please.
You will also have to set-up your own Microsoft account before you can link your Twitter account with Windows Phone 8 devices, so that’s something to think about as well.
Microsoft has managed to improve the app side of the equation as well, but is still lacking compared to iOS or even Android. Many of the most popular apps on both mobile OSes has still not appeared on Microsoft’s Store – apps like Instagram and Dropbox for example are still nowhere to be found, and until Microsoft addresses this problem, they’ll be hard pressed to find converts from either iOS or Android.
Unfortunately, there are still some pieces missing from the overall Windows Phone 8 experience, most notably the lack of XBOX integration. We’ve been chewing the ears off of local Microsoft execs in regards to this for a long time now, and will continue to do so until they officially support XBOX here. It’s a small thing, but it’s something to dwell on when making your choice if you were considering this device.
While our general experience with Windows Phone 8 is pleasant to say the least, it’s not possible for us to use it as a primary device for now. The reason is that there’s no way for the device to support advanced settings for Gmail, and come January 31, Google will be removing support for Microsoft’s Exchange ActiveSync protocol for new devices, which is very bad news for prospective users who rely on Gmail to get anything done. Google has already said that it will not be making a Gmail app, or any other other app for that matter for Windows Phone 8 aside from the token search app. The short version of it is that if you rely on any kind of Google services to get things done, you’ll have a very difficult time adjusting to Windows Phone 8.
CAMERA
While the Phone 8X essentially posseses the same 8-megapixel BIS camera present on the One X+, the device lacks many of the software enhancements that’s present in its larger Android sibling. Burst shooting is largely verboten, as the only way you can take multiple shots of whatever you’re shooting is to mash the camera key as fast as you can. You don’t get artsy lenses as well, or the ability to take panoramic shots. Also forget about shooting HDR, or taking pictures while recording HD video. After using the feature laden camera that we reviewed on the LG Nexus 4, the Phone 8X’s camera feels extremely simple by comparison.
As far image quality is concerned, the Phone 8X did not disappoint. Images are clear and colors are bright with a lot of detail. There’s hardly any noticeable noise in the pictures we took, although we did notice that the camera on the 8X doesn’t perform quite as well in low-light as other devices.
(Click on the images below to see the unmodified, full resolution image)
BATTERY LIFE
The Phone 8X has a non-removable Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery. On normal use, we were able to extract about a day’s worth of useful battery life before the device needed a trip back to the charger. You’ll probably get better battery life if you decide to be more miserly about how you used the device, of course. You do need to remember though that if something happens to your device’s battery, you can’t just can’t take a screwdriver to the device and fix it yourself – you will have to send it back to wherever you got it to get it repaired.
AVAILABILITY
Right now, Smart is the only telco that carries the Windows Phone 8X in the Philippines, so if you want a subsidized device, like it or not they’re the only game in town as of now. You’ll be able to get it for free with Smart’s Plan 2000 with a 30 month lock-in. Not a fan of the long commitment period? You will have to drop down cash to get it down to 24 months – Php 4,000 to be exact. It’s also available in Plan 1500, though you will have to pay Php 8,000 for it to get it.
If you don’t want to go the telco route, you can always buy it straight from any authorized HTC dealers for a suggested retail price of Php 26,490. That’s a fair bit of coin to ask for the device, but some retailers have shown that they’re willing to sell the device at a lower price point. Research is your friend here.
CONCLUSION
Windows Phone 8X by HTC is the finest Windows Phone 8 device in the land. Unfortunately, that’s not saying much because as of writing, it’s currently the ONLY Windows Phone 8 device in the land that’s being sold. Therein lies the problem – if Microsoft is really serious about trying to compete with both iOS and Android, it needs to show it. The lack of Windows Phone 8 devices here, specifically the absence of Samsung’s ATIV and Nokia’s Lumia 920 (or heck, we’d settle with the 820 at this point) is disturbing and certainly isn’t doing the OS any favors. Judged on its own merits, the Windows Phone 8X by HTC mostly hits all the right notes.
WHAT’S HOT
Excellent design
Powerful hardware
Windows Phone 8 OS is easy to use and learn
WHAT’S NOT
Mediocre camera app
Has issues with integrating with Google services
Windows app ecosystem is still pretty weak, lack of apps is a real concern
Buymeter: 4/5
Tech Specs:
- Operating System: Windows Phone 8
- CPU: Qualcomm S4 Plus MSM8960 dual-core processor, 1.5GHz, Adreno 225 GPU, 1GB of RAM
- LCD size: 4.3-inch S-LCD2 capacitive touchscreen, 720 x 1280 pixels
- Physical Dimensions: 132.4 x 66.2 x 10.1 mm
- Weight: 130 grams
- Band: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
- Internal memory : 16GB