Windows phone

Peter2

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Hello
I am interested in the Nokia Lumia Icon with Windows 8.1 preinstalled.
I am also trying to weigh the pros and cons of plans.
if I buy the phone outright then go to a carrier for activation with no contract would that be a viable way to do this?
I would get 1 GB data as this phone really gets WI FI quite good and I am in the DC area.
I would also look for free voice and text.
I can't seem to coordinate this with carriers as each is trying to get in my pocket.
I do realize the phone is expensive but with insurance I would think that once the initial obligation is out of the way I have more flexibility and I have to pay for the phone sooner or later.
Am I on the right path?
Peter
 

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Not knowing your exact situation, I'll just tell you what I did a couple days ago.

Looked at the Icon and the HTC One M8 for Windows after reading all over the 'net about both. Ended up getting the HTC One M8 as it just 'felt' better in my hands and does all I want to do. The Icon was very nice too and I wouldn't have been upset if I ended up with that one either.

I'm with Verizon on the Single Line plan and got the phone on the Edge program.

Bill breakdown is:
$60/Month Unlimited talk/text, 2Gb Data
-$10/month some deal they have going now
$29.99/month for 20 months on the phone itself.

Note that the Icon is $24.99/month.

Frankly it was the best deal they have right now imo.
 

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Well your choice is quite logical and practical. I too looked into the Edge program and it is a good one.

I think I wanted to avoid high monthly bills so suggested paying for the phone up front. It really is one end or the other.
Then paying about $60. a month without a contract for as long as I wish.
I don't know if that is possible but will continue to drop in stores to see about it.
Thank you
P.S. Was it basically the feel of the HTC One M8 that led you to choose it over the Icon and did 8.1 come preinstalled or is it an update?
 

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Yeah, paying with Edge monthly or paying it all upfront is the same cost as there is no interest charged.

The look and feel of the HTC One was a very big factor in my choice. I had read reviews and the only negative about it was the camera. And even that wasn't very negative.

Also the fact that you can put a microSD card in it to expand the storage was a big plus for me.

Yes it came with 8.1 installed on it already, or at least I assume so since it was there before I got back from the store!! :)

I just checked my Buick Bluetooth setup and it shows the Cortana phone entry automatically. I haven't tried it in the car yet as I see Cortana as something to play with. I might find something valuable to do with it, I just don't know what that would be.
 

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phone

The HTC One M8 having storage capacity has me re thinking my choice. I am glad you told me about it. I will check it out. I need a good camera as my wife is an artist/photographer so i have work to do.
Check the about to see if you have 8 or 8.1 and my $ is on 8 as 8.1 is yet to be released unless to previewers and developers.
Please let me know.

I checked the HTC out and it is Android -I said I wanted the Windows phone.
 

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It is running Windows 8.1 out of box, I just checked it.

Verizon is currently the only one with the Windows version of the HTC One M8, but AT&T is taking pre-orders and I've read T-Mobile is getting it also. I suspect others will along the way too.

Do a search on HCT One M8 Windows and you'll get a slew of hits, reviews and comparisons.
 

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Apologies; I Googled without the word "Windows" and the Android OS came up.
Thank you
 

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I have the 635 (newest) and it does everything I want. It's space sucks but you can get a SD card Great phone!!
 

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My wife has the 520 and I recently got the 925. I'm very happy with it.
The prices of 920/25/30 series came down after the launch of Nokia 1000 series.
 

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batterries

I just read in the fine print that the battery in the Icon is not replaceable. If most phones have non replaceable batteries that would be ok but if others have a replaceable one , a good question would be," What do you do if a faulty battery was installed so that in a few months it did not function?"
The phone would be useless correct?
What do you think of a phone with a battery that cannot be replaced?
 

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I've never worried about the battery replacement issue, or at least not for many years.

But I wonder if it really is just not user replaceable? Like the iPhone, never had a user replaceable battery yet Apple and others are more than will to do the service for you.

Is that the same for the Windows phones? I don't know.
 

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You make a good point. I read that the thinking is a sealed gasket provides for better functioning and sleeker design.
But as you say, the manufacturer may be able to replace the phone.
I will likely be buying my last phone due to age and health so that is why I was concerned about the battery.
But who knows who will outlast what? No guarantees there.
I am going to look at the Huawei Windows for the fun of it just to gather more information. I have the entry level Prism[no data] now with T - Mobile but their coverage is not that great. Sprint is making a come back but the don't vary the windows phones.
 

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Frankly it was the best deal they have right now imo.

Welcome to Windows EightForums, lparsons21. :)

Working in construction, I’ve had a cell since bags back in the 90’s. I was with Vz for about 7 or 8 years and changed over to AT&T after the New Year when I bought my Lumia. I’m not a fan of any U.S. carriers. They’ll have to toe the line now that we can unlock our phones.

Are you sure about the deal? Your plan actually costs $80.00/mo due to monthly Line Access charge. After 20 months tack on $10/mo after the offer expires. It may the best deal they have right now, but it’s not the best deal around. Buying outright with prepay is best.

If one buys the M8 outright with a prepay plan at a cost of $60/mo (matches your plan) > Over 20 months > $600 + $1,200 ($60/mo x 20 months) = $1,800.

Your plan: $600 + $1,600 ($80 x 20 months) = $2,200. What could you do with $400? Perhaps money towards a new Icon. :p

In reality they are still charging you to subsidize the phone. That's what it is with carriers > They get you one way or the other.

Both phones have their pros and cons. To me the Icon camera makes up for the nonexpandable storage and of which can be made up via OneDrive or any Cloud. It’s also $100 less. Here’s a fair review:

Nokia Lumia Icon vs HTC One M8 for Windows, class leaders » Phone Reviews

Either way, your choice of a Windows phone is really what counts! :thumb:
 

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You need to keep up with the plans!! :)

I have the Single Line plan. 2Gb for $60/month with no additional charges for equipment access. Right now I'm getting $10/month off of that.

THEN, I pay for the phone. And I'm paying exactly what I would pay anywhere, $600. Well not Ebay, but then Ebay phones can be very hinky. It is a crapshoot on Ebay.

So your figures are a little outdated... :)
 

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OK, but you need to calm down!! :)

Well they certainly changed their tune in the past few months then, although I went through their buying process as a new customer this morning and I thought I saw a monthly access charge of $30, which is what it was when I was with them. However, to double check, I went through the process again and there was none.

Anywho, I did peak into their prepay plans and saw they have a little better deal for $5/mo more than AT&T, but I’d never fulfill it, so it’s not worth it to me.

I’m liking all the competition going on due to the unlock law. Now they want to keep us knowing we can unlock our devices and go elsewhere.

To each their own, but after watching the comparison video again I would’ve picked the Icon instead. But then again, I may be partial because I have a 1520. :)
 

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The single line plan just started this month I think. Works well for us singles that don't need shared data plans.

The shared data plans are $40 per smartphone access fee and then whatever the data cost is. Not bad for those that need/want a shared plan. Works best for families that use a pretty good amount of data each month.

In my case, before the single line plan, it cost me about $60/month total for a 250Mb plan. Now for the same total I've got 2Gb.

As to the Icon vs the HTC One M8, well all my reading showed the only really negative thing about the HTC was that the camera isn't as good. For me that wasn't an issue because I don't use the camera all that much.

Skype (and FaceTime when I had the iPhone), calls, receive some texts and run my Golf GPS app pretty much is it. I just liked the look and feel of the HTC One over the Icon. But the reality is that I would have been just as happy with the Icon I think.

Now I'm calm!! 2 cups of coffee with a beer chaser... :)
 

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I have read about many people who were sorry the battery could not be replaced. I found the Nokia Lumia 820 ATT which has a replaceable battery. The Samsung ATIV S also has a battery that can be replaced. I hope I can buy the phone then get a plan for unlimited talk/text with 1 GB data and rely on Wi-Fi heavily. Perhaps the phone is about $450 and the monthly plan about $60.
Any criticism appreciated.
 

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@ lparsons21

I see MS is featuring your handset over their Nokia this month's commercial: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nRV76VbTq-8

@ Peter2

Depending on how much you use the camera and how important pic quality is to you, you may want to consider one with a 20 mega pixel rather than the 8MP. It makes a lot of difference. Along with that you'll get a handset with a more powerful CPU.

Both handsets are a good deal for the money, but the 820 has 2GBs of RAM, whereas the Samsung ATIV S only has 1. Basically the only difference I saw.

The most important thing is that both come with 8. Make sure either are upgradable to 8.1 otherwise you're buying old tech, therefore not such a good deal after all IMO.
 

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options

I think I have boxed myself in with this battery issue.
I wanted the Icon which is a sealed unit and the battery cannot be changed.
The camera is very important as my wife is an artist and photographer.
I have to get to the store and sort this out in person as there are too many surprises.
I have a hard time reconciling this inability to replace a battery but I may have to give in in order to get a phone. The 820 and Samsung i mentioned could replace batteries but were not really the phones I wanted..
 

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I think you are possibly worrying too much about the battery issue. Early on with phones, having a user replaceable battery was very important as battery life was so short. I used to take a few extras with me on trips to conventions and such because the phones just couldn't get through the day if you actually used them. Hell, some wouldn't get through the day if they were just sitting idle!

These days battery life is much improved and I actually haven't had an issue of not having enough juice to go a full day. Even after 18 holes with my golf GPS app that is pretty hungry, the useage is less than 50% battery used.

Check to see if the Icon's battery is replaceable by a tech, if it is that should allay most of your concerns I would think.
 

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