Huawei Ascend W1
Huawei is a new name on British shores, but
the Chinese manufacturer wants to be a big player in smartphones. The Ascend W1
is its new Windows Phone 8 handset, and it's the cheapest phone here by some
distance: its SIM-free price of $198 undercuts the $275 HTC Windows Phone 8S by
some distance and, on contract, it costs just f 13-per-month.
Huawei hasn't skimped on the specification
in order to hit its budget. The 1.2GHz Snapdragon S4 processor is quicker than
the budget phones from HTC and Nokia: its SunSpider result of 1,138ms beats the
1,41 Oms and 1,449ms scored by the Windows Phone 8S and Lumia 620. In
Peacekeeper, the Huawei also punched above its weight - its score of 275 sits
between low-end and high-end devices.
That leaves this budget handset in the
middle of this month's performance table, and it didn't have any issues with
Windows Phone 8: the OS was slick to use and navigate, and 3D games like
Asphalt 7 didn't pose any problems.
Huawei
Ascend W1
The Huawei returned a surprisingly good
battery score from its 1,950mAh battery, with 70% of its capacity left after
our 24hr run-down test. That's the biggest battery in this test, and it's the
highest score of any phone here.
The rest of the specification is less
impressive, though. There's only 4GB of on-board storage, the 802.11n Wi-Fi is
only single-band, and there's no compass on the inside.
The 5MP camera isn't great either; while
it's fine for snapping quick pictures, it doesn't have the detail or vibrant
colors on offer from more expensive phones.
The screen, too, is mediocre. Its 312cd/m2
brightness level is poor for an IPS screen, and it means it's the dimmest panel
here. While the Lumia has a lower brightness figure, its AMOLED technology
ensures deeper black levels and a more vivid image. The contrast ratio of
1,040:1 at least means that there's a decent range of colors on show.
It's all wrapped up into a middling
exterior too. We like the removable panel that gives access to the battery and
micro-SD card slot, but the Huawei's 10.5mm girth and 130g weight make it a bit
of a lump considering its low height and width.
The
5MP camera isn't great either
Build quality isn't particularly good
either, with a creaking back panel, and it won't win any awards for style
thanks to a plain black chassis and an awkward lip at the front of the device.
Still, there's a lot going for the Huawei:
lots of power, a superb battery and this month's cheapest price. The Nokia Lumia
620 is a better budget package, but this is a good alternative if longevity is
key.
Details
·
SIM-free supplier: www.amazon.com
·
Manufacturer site: www.huawei.com
Nokia Lumia 620
Android handsets dominate the budget end of
the smartphone market, but phones like the Nokia Lumia 620 should drastically
alter this situation. It's a high-quality piece of kit and, surprisingly, it's
available on contracts that cost just $23-per-month and its SIM-free price of
$282 isn't bad either.
The two more expensive Lumias in this test
impress thanks to high-quality designs, and the Lumia 620 doesn't let the side
down. It's as sturdy as anything else here, and we like the flat back, curved
edges and row of black buttons on the right-hand side.
Nokia
Lumia 620
The rear cover is removable, which gives
access to the micro-SIM and micro-SD slots as well as the battery, and the
matte cover that comes with the phone can be replaced with a host of more colorful
alternatives. Nokia sells white, blue, pink and glossy neon green covers, and
anyone buying the 620 can choose one of these bright alternatives when they
make the purchase.
The high-end feel is tempered by the
3.8" 480x800 screen, which shares its resolution with the HTC Windows
Phone 8S but is a little smaller. Visible pixels mean the Lumia's panel isn't
quite as crisp as the screens we've seen on high-resolution rivals, but the
measured brightness of 543cd/m2 is more impressive. It's enough to ensure this
screen remains legible outdoors, and it helps colours look vibrant. The 798:1
contrast ratio impresses too.
The Lumia shares its 1GHz Snapdragon S4
with the HTC 8S, and it's this test's weakest specification. The Nokia's
1,449ms SunSpider result is the worst here, and in the Peacekeeper benchmark
the Lumia scored 219 - only a little ahead of the 199 scored by the HTC Windows
Phone 8S. While it might struggle with future high-end games, we didn't
experience any performance issues with gaming or Windows Phone 8 while using
the Lumia.
Nokia allows other manufacturers to use its
mapping, satnav and public transport tools, but its City Lens and Music apps
are exclusive to Lumia handsets. The former is a gimmicky way to explore the
world around you, but the latter is a useful, free Spotify alternative.
The
good screen and attractive, versatile design mean this is the phone to buy if
you're after some Windows Phone 8 action without breaking the bank
Elsewhere, there's 8GB of storage - double
the amount included in the HTC and dual band 802.11 n wireless. The 5MP camera
is fine for standard snaps, but it's not able to match the HTC for quality:
colors aren't as vibrant, close-up shots are grainy, and detail in standard
pictures was often blurred.
Battery life is average too. The Lumia had
50% of its power pack left after our 24-hour run-down test, which is 10% behind
the HTC's result.
That said, there's plenty to like about
this handset. The good screen and attractive, versatile design mean this is the
phone to buy if you're after some Windows Phone 8 action without breaking the
bank.
Details
·
SIM-free supplier: www.amazon.com
·
Manufacturer site: www.nokia.com
