Comparing the iPhone 6 to the top Windows Phones, including Lumia 1020, HTC One and Lumia 1520

In instance you lot accept not heard, the iPhone 6 and its larger cousin the iPhone half dozen Plus launched over the weekend. Apple reportedly sold over ten million of the new phones to consumers, breaking yet some other record. Regardless of your opinion of the iPhone, any smartphone that can sell that much in three days sets the bar for the industry.

How does the iPhone six stack up against some of the peak Windows Phones? It is a valid question, especially if you are in the market place for a new phone, considering switching, or a but curious as to where Apple tree is all the same leading.

I managed to pick up the iPhone six this weekend, like millions of others. In the following video, I give my impressions of the phone as compared to the Lumia 1020, Lumia 1520, and HTC One for Windows (the Lumia 925 and Lumia 930 also announced).

Before we get to the video, let u.s.a. accept a look at specifications.

iPhone 6 vs Windows Phone

Specifications

The chart above lays out all the hardware specs between the various devices in this article. All mod loftier-cease smartphones perform relatively on a similar level. And then even though the iPhone has less RAM than a Lumia 1520, in the terminate it is not pertinent from a performance perspective (although maybe for the price).

The HTC One for Windows and Lumia 930 are the closest in terms of size and hardware to the iPhone 6, although there are some substantial differences. Both Windows Phones have college PPI counts (441 versus 326) due to the increased screen resolution (1920 10 1080 versus 1334 x 750), fifty-fifty with the 0.3-inch larger displays on the Windows Phones. Likewise, the Lumia 930 has a amend camera with a twenty MP sensor and optical-prototype stabilization.

In terms of size, the iPhone 6 is easily the thinnest and lightest coming in at 129 grams and just 6.9 mm for thickness. The Lumia 930, past comparison, is a chunky fella at 167 grams and ix.eight mm. The HTC 1 fairs slightly better at 160 grams and 9.4 mm.

For value, Windows Phone is possibly the winner specially since the HTC One for Windows and Lumia 930 coming with 32 GB of internal storage (the One also has micro SD for expansion). Consumers also get a slightly larger, better brandish and at least for the Lumia 930, a superior rear camera and Qi wireless charging.

The lesser line: the iPhone 6 does not excel in any specifications, but arguably, it is skillful enough all-effectually, which is what makes it so desirable. The HTC One and especially the Lumia 930 clearly can practise many things amend – and for some this is a selling bespeak – but information technology comes at a toll of being significantly heavier and thicker. In that location is little doubt that this affects perception and sales of the Windows Phones.

In theory, I have no qualms with the HTC One and Lumia 930, in fact, I use the HTC I (and Lumia 1520) every bit my everyday phones by selection. However, the issue is more complicated than that equally Microsoft currently does non have that best all-around flagship level phone that is thin, light and yet does non compromise on much.

Ironically, the Lumia 830 is looking more than and more like a contender. The display is a slightly less existence but 1280 ten 720 (iPhone 6 is 1334 x 750) but this is attributable to the iPhone'southward odd ratio. The Lumia 830 besides shaves 1.three mm off its thickness and drops 17 grams to but 150. Neither number come close to the iPhone 6, but it is undisputedly meliorate. Finally, with the Lumia 830 you are getting micro SD expansion, Qi wireless charging, changeable dorsum plates, and a much meliorate 10 MP PureView camera with optical-image stabilization. The Lumia 830'southward only weakness may exist its comparatively bloodless processor, which is a lower-end Snapdragon 400 clocked at i.2 GHz, far below the two.2 GHz Snapdragon 800-series used in premium Windows Phones. Windows Telephone equally an OS already is criticized for longer loading times and its animations, and the 830's processor may non change that perception.

Comparisons

Just for background, I would not classify myself as a regular Apple user, although I am familiar with their various $.25 of the hardware. For instance, I accept an Apple Telly, iPhone 5s, and an iPad Mini Retina. Up until recently, I did accept a 2022 MacBook Air, merely since it was collecting dust, I traded it in for a Core i7 Surface Pro 3, which I detailed in this article. Indicate is, my thoughts on Apple's wares is non from a consummate novice, although given the choice betwixt Windows/Windows Telephone and Os 10/iOS and I ever opt for the old.

How does each of the phones holdup in my capricious starting time impressions?

Display

The iPhone 6 does have a stellar display. It is precipitous, text looks great; viewing angles are fantastic, and colors are accurate. However, each of the phones listed here also have slap-up looking screens, and the Lumias in particular bring some unique features.

As an example, the Lumia 1520 has unique Believing Display Technology where each pixel dynamically adjusts to the current environs. All of the Lumias here also have ClearBlack dual-layer polarizers, Sunlight readability mode, Super-sensitive Touch, and Glance (except for the Lumia 930). Those features are non gimmicks, in my opinion, but meaning technologies that solve real-world problems when using a smartphone exterior. The fact that reviews fail to give credit to Nokia (now Microsoft) for adopting those innovations is frustrating.

Overall, all the displays listed hither are great looking, but the Lumia 1520 has the best of everything, assuming you can accept its 6-inch size. The Lumia 930 suffers from a lack of Glance, and, for some existence OLED instead of LCD is a turnoff. The HTC One looks nifty for an LCD, simply lacks the Lumia innovations and the 1020 just yet looks corking with its AMOLED, even if only four.v-inches and 1280 x 768 resolution.

Camera

The iPhone 5s and even 6 have exquisite cameras, but they exercise not approach the level of PureViews. Nevertheless, considering Apple's photographic camera app has more consumer-friendly features, like HDR, panorama, square, live filters, slo-mo video and time lapse, information technology is arguably better for everyday usage. Likewise, Apple tree'southward camera is faster for launching and snapping photos, something that the forthcoming Lumia Denim update is supposed to accost.

Build Quality

The iPhone half-dozen has an aluminum body with a front glass layer. It certainly looks more Samsung-ish than prior releases. In terms of fit and finish, it does feel dandy to concord even if it is well-nigh too thin at times. In fact, the Lumia 920, Lumia 730 and to a lesser extent Lumia 830, all seem a amend due to their rounded backs, which cups nicely in the mitt. The iPhone 6 is simply flat on both sides, being very slab-like, with nothing heady or inspiring about its design. Which is a better design is of course user preference.

I take noticed metallic phones like the HTC One, iPhone 6 and to the extent the Lumia 925, tend to have a "quality bias" with them. Cool-to-the-touch metal feels more premium than polycarbonate, even if the latter may be more applied (run across Apple tree'due south #BentGate). Indeed, the HTC One is a beautiful slice of hardware with its unibody metal design and brushed aluminum finish. Honestly, I would give the edge here to HTC for the One'south outstanding design, which looks amazing and feels groovy to hold ( although it is slippery). The iPhone 6 is likewise exquisitely designed, every bit are all the Lumias. Even so, the Lumia 930 and Lumia 1020 stand out as being less-than-elegant (the Lumia 1020 is certainly more function over grade though with its 41 MP camera).

I accept said before that Microsoft should brand a Lumia 925 successor with updated hardware, and I stand by that assertion. The Lumia 925 was arguably a nifty all-effectually Windows Phone, but due to an oddly timed release, and limited carrier availability, it did not go the appreciation information technology deserved. The Lumia 925 had it all, including a great metallic trunk, polycarbonate back, excellent PureView camera, and a solid chipset. If y'all give the Lumia 925 a Snapdragon 805 processor, a 4.vii-inch brandish and a PureView photographic camera with more megapixels, such a phone could exist a tempting buy, especially after the so-far lukewarm Lumia 930 launch. Allow usa just say the Lumia 930 is non living up to the almost-legendary Lumia 920.

Conclusion

The iPhone 6 is certainly a fantastic smartphone, and it is hard not to come across why Apple gets some much credit for their refined designs. Of class, it is beyond overhyped as well as I cannot say I am a catechumen after using ane.

As far as iOS eight, there are some fantastic features like actionable notifications, sharing of user accounts (app purchases) with family, and more. However, the Os design still feels static and undeniably boring compared to the Live Tiles on Windows Telephone. Oft I turn on the iPhone, and there is zippo to look at, just icons with no information. As a event, the iPhone is 'app everything' for usage where I feel like I need to launch an app to get even the virtually basic information.

For Lumia 1520, Lumia 1020 and Lumia 930 owners, you all the same have the all-time cameras effectually for image quality, even if slower, and a very interesting device. The HTC One, especially for elegance, is an excellent contender, even if it comes across equally an Android has-been.

Finally, for Microsoft, I still think there is a premium middle ground that they need to fill up if they desire to compete with the iPhone in a general sense. The Lumia 830 is close, but I still cannot help merely think that they can do improve with a Lumia 925 follow-up and widespread, simultaneous carrier release. Sparse, metal, great camera and moderate display size are needed for the winning recipe.

Have yous tried the iPhone 6? What do you think are the important lessons for Microsoft?

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