One Hour first impressions review of the Nokia Lumia 900
My regular DHL man arrived late in the afternoon with a package. I knew what it was but I was against the clock to pack the house away before the removals people came to bring it to storage. Anyway, come late evening I manage to unbox the Nokia Lumia 900.
Now being a Nokia Lumia 800 user, I thought the experience would be pretty much the same, nothing too different or exciting, right? Well, for me, the answer was surprisingly NO. I’m really liking using the Nokia Lumia 900. The more I personalise and set things up and download my apps, the more I’m realising it’s going to be hard giving this thing back :/.
Screen:
Well, the first thing that strikes me is the display. That wonderful 4.3″ display that just pops. It’s even more markedly different when compared to the non-batman-lumia 800 that I have as it seems to have a problem with brightness being too low in auto and the colours looking a little off (batman one is ok)
My first experience of Windows Phone was on an Omnia 7. It had a real nice 4″ display. I noted previously that the bigger display there helped in typing as the keyboard was bigger. The WP keyboard was, fortunately, excellent, so I never really had a problem with it on a 3.7″ display. It’s just that on 4″ and now 4.3″ it’s just soo much nicer to use.
For some, 3.7-3.9″ may already be the sweetspot, but I like having bigger screens and this is the biggest yet for the current Nokia line up. It’s amazing that I already used to have a huge 4.13″ monster in my N800 but this doesn’t feel as unwieldy.
Apps look great in this 4.3″ AMOLED CBD display.
Responsiveness:
Lumias are really fast, and really responsive. But some more than others. We’ve noted before how the accelerometer in the 710 felt faster than the 800. It’s noticeably faster on rotation and to me that makes a difference. When I’m rotating a web page or an email, it rotates pretty much as soon as i begin to turn – none of that waiting. I’d say most will hardly notice it but when you get accustomed to his speed, it’s hard to go back.
Internet on mobile data seems oddly faster.
Set up:
Putting the MicroSIM in was really annoying. I dislike the fact that you need a tool (provided key) to get the SIM out before placing it in. This should be removed when you first have the 900 and then let the user place their card in. Allow them to find out at a later time how to remove it (assuming they won’t be removing their SIMs too often). I’ve already got a little scuff mark on the hole for the SIM port and the key is already slightly bent.
Signing into my services/contacts etc was a breeze. Once I log into Windows Live and Facebook all my contacts are there just like before. This was all automatically, no need to set up a backup. Username + Password, DONE. No faffing around trying to get settings here there and everywhere. All my calendar appointments all neatly into place, all the pictures from my contacts and their details, all my online albums. Verry nice.
HOWEVER. I would like to be able to perform routine backups and then apply them to my next phone. Now I’ve lost all my messages, all my call history, all my apps! I can redownload them but there should be a function to restore content. At least on the upside, I have all my contacts/calendar/email etc.
I want you to save my GROUPS dammit!
You can reinstall things manually from the web, just click and select what apps you want to reinstall and it will instruct your phone (without needing it to be connected by cable, just an internet connection) to download the apps
Helpful email to help get you started…
Vibration:
The vibrations when you’re pressing the capacitive keys are more obvious, they have a little buzz sound towards the top of the device. It’s more subtle in the 800. When it vibrates, say for an incoming text message, it kinda reminds me of a cartoon character laughing.
Design usability.
I have big hands so it’s not an issue for me. Something comparable, like the SGSII with the same screen size, is shorter and slimmer.
I think there’s plenty of room for improvement regarding minimising bezel space. And that sharp corner feels more obvious now that I have to span my hand around the device more (in comparison to the 800). For something this large, it would feel more comfy if it was slimmer.
As feared, swiping off the edge meets that little bezel. It’s not that pronounced but you can feel it as opposed to the bezel free 800. However, given the size of the screen, my thumb is rarely travelling outside of the screen space anyway.
One plus of the bezel is that when placed on a table, it should reduce the hairline scratches induced by surface to surface contact, as it does on the N9/800 because the curved centre touches the table.
White gloss looks nice, but I prefer the feel of the matte polycarbonate.
Having no hinge cover does mean the microUSB seems a little unprotected but there is an unexpected convenience of just plugging in without having to push that flap down.
Speaker
Speakers are louder. You can hear it when you’re typing on the keyboard, the tapping sounds are more prominent on the 900 than the 800 (which i felt was a little muted in comparison to my Omnia 7 – though some people hate the sounds anyway).
Listening quickly to some songs, the 900 is slightly louder and just sounds better, a little richer – though both have room to improve.
Camera:
Will need to test this more and with my batman lumia as I think my regular one is faulty but already I can see pictures coming out much better than 800 (even with the plastic cover on).
Battery Life:
There’s a bigger screen to eat up more battery but a there’s a bigger battery to compensate. I’m on a fresh install too so I have less things running in the background (less live tiles, less accounts trying to sync). Right now levels that would normally indicate 2-3h remaining on my Lumia 800 correspond to 7h on the 900. This is not a reliable measure. I’ve still only just started using the 900, and most of the time of ownership is actually writing this up. (Better right sooner than never as things that end up in my drafts/to finish end up being stuck there forever)
I’ve really enjoyed using my Nokia Lumia 800 a lot but the 900 for me is even more pleasant to use.
There’s also the addition of:
- Front Facing Camera for Skype/Tango calls. Not tried yet. I’ve managed with the main camera as all I tend to use it for is to show friends/family something I’m already looking at. I prefer to not be on camera. Might have to start getting used to it now :/
- WiFi sharing. I’ve just bought an additional 6month wifi bundle as I was gonna need some mobile internet when I’m on the go to keep my laptop connected. This meant firing up Joikuspot on N8 but now there’s another option that means I can stick to using one device. Though it is terribly nice having the N8 there to take nice photos and videos
Category: Nokia, Windows Phone
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I like the notification messages and sound when there is something new…and incoming calls sounds are so nice.
It’ll be interesting to see in-depth comparisons between this & the L800.
And hopefully also the N9 if they can spare the time.
The design is really nice of course. I think it would have looked better with the curved screen of the lumia 800 though Nokia may have their reasons for making the screen flat.
The only reason why Lumia 800 had curved screen was N9. As it’s the must for Swipe (if you compare swipe experience on N950 with flat screen and N9 – you will understand). For WP there’s no need for the swipe gesture from the edge of the display and the curved glass does not match rectangular UI.
Yeah though for me, the curved glass adds more style or should I say finesse. Either way, it’s still a gorgeous looking phone.
Hi, where can i buy the Lumia 900 in the USA unlocked?
Hi, http://www.atgsm.com has the imported unlocked versions in stock ,Not USA unlocked version.
If you do considering getting this one, I would suggest waiting a little bit, as the price has been going down consistently since they listed stock.
Ok thanks XD
Hi, http://www.atgsm.com has the imported unlocked versions in stock ,Not USA unlocked version.
If you do considering getting this one, I would suggest waiting a little bit, as the price has been going down consistently since they listed stock.
Jay, few notes:
Lumia 900 has a gyroscope, 800 does not. Maybe this helps with rotation. (Or maybe rotation is faster just for the same reason it is faster on 710.)
Mobile data IS faster. Lumia 800 supports 3G speed up to 14k where as euro-900 supports 3.5G speeds to around 46k. Yes, really.
Oh and the Lumia 900 screen is RGB AMOLED where as 800 is less sharp PenTile AMOLED, which means text is sharper and color surfaces are more even on the 900.
People often think the 900 is 800+FFC, but that is not really fair. It is more and it makes it significantly better. I love mine.
Typo: 46k => 42k
I own both & your enthusiasm seems exaggerated to me.
The overall improvements are not that huge at all.
The screen in day-to-day use is not “hugely” better for me.
There’s only a few use cases where it’s notably better, but not hugely so.
The cellular net connection speed increase is the most significant change IME.
But even it isn’t hugely noticeable in many instances.
I’ll be expecting MUCH MORE in 4mth, any longer than that & I may wander.
Oh and the improved (wide angle lens) FFC is a nice touch.
Does mike a very slight but useful difference.
“make”
John:
Your opinion is valued and valuable, of course. My views are just my own. So thanks for sharing!
As for “my enthusiasm”, it is just a reflection how I think many people have missed the subtle differences 800 and 900 have. If they were more widely acknowledged, I think I wouldn’t make any fuss of it. These small differences (RGB screen, HDSPA+ dual speeds, gyroscope) are adding up quite a bit – in addition to the obvious FFC and 4.3″. Alone they are small things, but do separate the 900 significantly from the launch range (I have both 800 and 700).
So I think people haven’t really paid attention to the 900 specs enough. There are differences and they do matter, like the gyro when taking panoramas – or the data speeds. Of course how much they matter is subjective and your view on it is completely as valuable as mine is. Personal mileage will vary.
So to me the difference between 800 and 900 is that the 800 was beautiful but slightly flawed first attempt from Nokia. I think 900 is the perfected 800. More robust (no USB cover, no curved screen), has the missing hardware features (FFC, gyroscope, HDSPA+) that do matter and finally has a really solid screen without compromise (4.3″ RGB) – as far as Windows Phone currently allows. The only thing I can think the 900 would need more is a 64 GB version and a better camera, but other than that I feel it really is *perfected* 800.
For me anyways.
Agreed the 800 is slightly flawed, the N9 is still a better option “overall”.
To me the 900 is still only a incremental improvement, not enough to switch permanently from my N9.
I’ll be expecting MUCH more, & it better not be out later than October.
Otherwise my eyes may have wandered to Android, iOS, or maybe even BBX.
Own both.
Looooove the 900. Screen is beautiful (the non pentile screen difference is VERY obvious).
Curved screen not a big deal (actually like the flat square lines in keeping with the rest of the design).
My favourite phone thus far.
I thought I’d hate the flat screen but it actually looks great in person.
Also after seeing the destruction on a few N9 and 800 bulging screens – easy scratches and all that – it is nice to have screen that is recessed a tiny bit. Also the screen in 900 can fit a screen protector with ease instead of a hassle.
900′s RGB screen is way superior to 800 PenTile.
Finally, also after having witnessed many bent N9 and 800 USB port covers (although mine survived), I love the exposed USB port on the 900.
900 is sort of the 800 done right!!
Just a pointer, app called reinstaller cones in handy swapping between WPs
Really love my white 900. Display is great and the flat screen is good though I would prefer the 800 curve one. The design/outlook is way better than my wife’s Xperia S.
Erhm… is that a pink tinted Lumia 900 display?
I thought it was the only true phone(considering others were only beta-phones). I’m so downright confused now.
It’s just the photo.
I’d much rather an implementation with a curved screen.
Issues there are overstated, having both the 800 & N9 I’ve not had an issue, then again I’m not a clutz.
Some for the USB door, no problem there whatsoever, I prefer it.
The FedEx guy is supposed to come and give me my new cyan Lumia 900 in the next 3 hours :-p
I wanted the white one, but after giving it much thought I figured that there are too many white and/or black devices around so if I want to distinct myself from the others I better take the cyan
I payed an almost outrageous amount of money to get this device, but I’m pretty sure it’d be well worth it
Can’t wait!!!
You chose wisely, the white N9/800/900 models while beautiful have a clear coat that will scratch. Cyan is probably the most robust of them all and will look the best longest.
So congrats and enjoy!
Kinda Off-topic: Lumia 900 won’t receive WP8 Apollo Update!!! This statement comes straight from T-Mobile Germany, due to this they won’t offer the Lumia 900 in Germany, cause paying so much money for a high-end device and not getting a major software update a few month later would cause immense costumer-frustration.
Yes, because German operators customer service have proven to be such a reliable source of information. Not.
Having said that, I think it is fairly likely 900 won’t get the full WP8, but I’d expect a major feature update for it in any case.
Maybe we’ll know more after tonight’s Microsoft event?
We are taking about T-Mobile and not O2! There is a major difference between these two operators! And several other people at costumer service has now confirmed that it won’t receive the Update
http://feedback.telekom-hilft.de/questions/wann-gibt-es-das-lumia-900-bei-euch#
Yes, and we know how reliable customer service are when it comes to stuff like this. Or PR people for that matter. They usually don’t know shit, just parrot some data from intranet or colleagues.
Let’s wait and see, I can agree full WP8 won’t probably come, but no major update at all? I wouldn’t take some customer-reps quote as any kind of proof – any more than of 808′s pentaband.
Oh and my recommendation has always been, if you need WP8, wait for fall devices.
Even dsmobile stated several times that current lumias won’t get Apollo, so where the problem to believe this. When it comes to Nokia rumors, dsmobile was always a reliable source. There were even several posts based on his comments, but when it comes to negative info, suddenly nobody listens to him.
zymo:
People had both reason to believe dsmobile is now a fake and even if he is real, he has admitted to no longer having the inside access he did before. Also, when you have access to leaks, you may only have access to partial information – not the full picture.
Having said that, I can believe Lumia 900 won’t get Apollo. Indeed, I believe we have heard enough rumors to believe it likely. So, this is perfectly possible, hence my recommendation that wait for fall devices if you must have it.
However, as always, the devil is in the details – and it is this type of detail that is most susceptible to suffer from the limited knowledge of customer-reps who parroting a broken telephone message as well as limited leaks with partial access to informaiton:
What if Lumia 800 will get something other than Apollo, which will be feature-wise comparable? Sure, that is less good than getting a full Apollo, but it also would be quite different from no update at all.
BTW: Just to be clear, I am not saying the information from T-Mobile can’t be correct. It can. I am just giving reasons why shouldn’t take it as the last word on the subject until we know more.
Other possible factors to be considered, and that wouldn’t be covered by said leaks or customer-reps, are what kind of transitional policies Microsoft and Nokia might have in place to help with transitioning the product-line from WP7.5 to WP8. This range from update offers to managing the marketplace requirements to many possible things that might make a difference.
While possible, I don’t think it is in any way certain that some minor updates (and some Nokia apps updates) over the summer – and then full abandonement – are the last thing Lumia 900 have to look forward to. At least I don’t think we have yet heard from a source or leak that would confirm it in this scope.
Yeah… so what?
Not an issue for most people especially since a hybrid OS will allow WP7.5 users to use the features of WP8 their hardware will support.
So what? This is real bad marketing for Nokia!
Microsoft’s Windows Phone Summit is today (kicks of at 18 CET in Europe, 12 EET in U.S.), so I’m sure we won’t have to wait for too long for some more insight into this matter. Live blogs can be found from all the major tech-blogs.
12 pm ET that is.
Well since hardly anyone cares, no it isn’t.
Aaahhh again I see.
Yes people do care and it IS an issue for the Lumia 900 costing GBP499 (for the reasons I’ve expounded with you before) much less so for me and my GBP99 Lumia 710 (can’t get it at that anymore hee hee – can’t get it at all at Voda and CPW come to that) obviously I’d like an update but I have little right to expect one at that price point. Whereas at the GBP 400-450+ price point there is a right to expect that device to be kept at forefront for first year of ownership and current with mid market and for second year of likely two year contract. WP is a very iOS-like walled/hand holding platform, this is the standard Apple have set with iOS and this is what customers expect and WP needs to be equal or very close to to keep the desperately needed momentum for Nokia’s survival this year.
If they ditch all the purchasers of current Lumia into the hardshoulder the PR shitstorm will cripple future LUmia sales and ownership uptake. At a time where to put it mildly that is the last thing Nokia or WP need.
Obviously we shall begin to see after tonight what is actually going to happen.
I agree that if they just dump current Lumia owners without any major update, the shitstorm that will follow will be deserved and possibly devastating.
What I don’t agree with is that we have yet seen proof of that actually happening. They might come up with an acceptable solution. Tonight we are hopefully wiser, one way or the other.
Oh I agree – I can’t really believe (but it is Nokia AND MS homes of the unbelievable) that they’re going to drop the ball. As we said we shall know more tonight.
Coincidence or delicious irony.
Nokia releases q2 results on July 19.
Microsoft releases q2 results on July 19.