The Best of 2014: Windows Phone 8 Devices in PH

Last year, Windows Phone embraced a lot of worthy attention from multiple OEMs from different countries. Here in the Philippines, we saw Windows Phone emerged through several offerings from Nokia, Microsoft and even Cherry Mobile.

Here are the smartphones powered by Windows Phone 8.1 that were seen from the previous year.

Cherry Mobile Alpha Style

Cherry Mobile’s entry-level Windows Phone with enough power to do everyday tasks. Since WP8.1 runs buttery smooth even on low specifications, the Php2,999USD 51INR 4,332EUR 49CNY 372 price tag is a great deal.

Quick specifications:

• 4″ WVGA IPS LCD
• 5MP and VGA cameras
• Dual Sim, Dual Standby

Cherry Mobile Alpha Luxe

Cherry Mobile’s mid-range offering under their Windows-powered Alpha line-up. It offers a bigger display and higher internal specifications than the Alpha Play with an SRP of Php4,999USD 85INR 7,222EUR 81CNY 620.

Quick specifications:

• 5″ HD IPS LCD
• Dragontrail Glass
• 8MP and 2MP cameras
• Dual Sim, Dual Standby

Microsoft Lumia 535

Microsoft’s first phone after acquiring Nokia Lumia. It’s a good start with decent specifications like a wide-angle selfie camera and an attractive price tag of only Php5,990USD 102INR 8,653EUR 97CNY 743.

Quick specifications:

• 5″ qHD IPS LCD
• Gorilla Glass 3
• 5MP main and 5MP selfie camera
• Dual Sim, Dual Standby

Nokia Lumia 530

The cheapest of all the Nokia Lumia series that is a successor to their popular Lumia 520/525. Being the cheapest at Php4,490USD 77INR 6,486EUR 73CNY 557 Php3,990USD 68INR 5,764EUR 65CNY 495 means being the most inferior of the Lumias. With only a fixed focus back camera and poor display, it could disappoint some buyers.

Quick specifications:

• 4″ FWVGA TFT display
• Free 15GB via OneDrive
• 5MP fixed focus rear camera only
• Dual Sim, Dual Standby

Nokia Lumia 630

The Lumia 630 was the first Windows Phone to feature on-screen buttons. While it doesn’t offer much, it is a compelling choice if you want to jump to the Windows Phone wagon. It retails for Php7,990USD 136INR 11,542EUR 130CNY 992

Quick specifications:

• 4.5″ FWVGA ClearBlack display
• 5MP AF camera, no front camera
• Dual Sim, Dual Standby

Nokia Lumia 735

Nokia’s selfie smartphone that boasts a 5MP wide-angle front camera with a bright f/1.9 Zeiss Optics primary camera. It can be a hard catch since it is only officially available through Globe Postpaid, free @ Plan 1200.

Quick specifications:

• 4.7″ HD OLED display
• 6.7MP f/1.9 Zeiss Optics and 5MP wide-angle selfie
• 4G/LTE

Nokia Lumia 830

The middle ground of the Nokia Lumia line-up. Lumia 830 sports a PureView camera with OIS and Zeiss Optics plus a nice build borrowed from its bigger brother, Lumia 930, but it comes in a cheaper package at Php18,990USD 324INR 27,433EUR 308CNY 2,357.

Quick specifications:

• 5-inch IPS HD ClearBlack display
• Gorilla Glass 3
• 10 megapixel PureView with Zeiss optics and OIS
• 4G/LTE

Nokia Lumia 930

Nokia’s top-tier Windows Phone that features a full HD screen and camcorder quality video recording. It has a premium build and quality display for Php29,990USD 511INR 43,324EUR 487CNY 3,722.

Quick specifications:

• 5-inch IPS Full HD ClearBlack display
• Gorilla Glass 3
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 w/ 2GB of RAM
• 20 megapixel PureView with Zeiss optics and OIS
• 4G/LTE

Now that Lumia is under Microsoft, we expect the leading Windows Phone maker to again lead the pack this 2015 with better offerings and competitive pricing. As for our local brands, we’ll see if Cherry Mobile has another Windows line-up and also from Starmobile, MyPhone and other major local players.

Update: Corrected current SRP of Lumia 530