5. Audio and Accessories
The Nokia Lumia 800 isn't yet available in the US, but what does the phone mean for the future of Windows Phone 7?
Hit: Great Sound
Nokia makes much of the ‘precision techniques’ it’s used to finish the Lumia 800, individually milling the USB port and the holes in the speaker. That certainly adds to the desirability of the device. The smooth curves and neat edges look good. But the neat round holes of the perfectly flush speaker also sound good. The volume can’t quite fill a room for a party or compete with the sound of a boiling kettle, but it’s perfect for listening to music as you work (or the soundtrack of a YouTube video). The quality of the speaker is also good; there’s little distortion even at top volume.
Switch to headphones and the sound quality goes up to excellent, with plenty of bass and great detail in the music.
Hit: Matching Accessories
The earbud headphones supplied with the Lumia 800 are fairly basic, although the sound quality is surprisingly good. They sound better and are more comfortable to wear than the earbuds that come with the iPhone, for example. If you want something better that still matches the bright blue and pink Lumia cases, Nokia has teamed up with Monster, the same company who teamed with Dr. Dre for the ever-popular Beats headphones, on some well-designed matching in-ear and headphone-style headsets. The Purity HD Stereo headset sounds great, folds up neatly into a case or bag,and has a detachable cable.
But our favorite color-coded accessory for the Lumia is the pop-up Luna Bluetooth headset. This fits into a little round docking station. When you need to make or answer a call, press the triangular top of the headset and it pops out of the base, turns on automatically and pairs with your phone (you have it set it up the first time, of course). By the time you have it in your ear, you’ve answered the call and you’re ready to talk. Take it up and push it back into the base and it hangs up and goes to sleep again. The Luna is even better with one of Nokia’s NFC handsets because you can tap it on the phone to pair the first time.
Of course the Lumia 800 doesn’t have NFC, which may be another reason Nokia isn’t launching this handset in the US. Expect the Nokia Windows Phone devices that launch next year to have the full complement of high-end features. In the meantime, because the Lumia 800 will only work on AT&T’s 3G network and because you’d have to pay the full, unsubsidized price for an import, you’re stuck envying European users. The Lumia 800 isn’t the Windows Phone to defeat all the competition, but it’s certainly one of the most desirable Mango models so far. And let’s not forget: The Lumia 800 shows you what you should expect once Nokia brings WP7 devices to North America. We’re expecting the same fantastic build quality, audio, display and design, coupled with some of the features and specs we missed (front-facing camera, and some NFC support, perhaps).
Based on what we've seen in the gorgeous Nokia slab, what can be expected of the mid-range Lumia 701, and how close Nokia is to Microsoft now (based on these phone, promises of future phones, and Windows 8 tablet rumblings), The Lumia 800 is likely only the first of many high-quality Windows Phone 7 devices to come. There are some specs and features we dearly miss on the Lumia 800, like a front-facing camera and NFC, but the excellent design, stellar build quality and useful included software makes this device one of the best, if not the best, WP7 options at the moment.
Seems to me like there are more things to like about it than to dislike! This is a masterpiece by Nokia and Microsoft!
Amazing phone! People get misguided by the dual core smartphones out there. WP7 does not seem to need dual core to run so elegantly and performing almost on par with dual core phones. Good job Nokia and Microsoft.
I'm super impressed. Thats one sexy phone. If they can keep a form like that add the things the guide mentioned plus move those ports to the bottom, add expandable storage and give it video output (i know all this is a big ask) you've got a genuine iphone slayer.
That radio station idea is also a clutch point for me, no setup is amazing, im getting a high end nokia as soon as they come to Australia.
I'm not only impressed! It blows my mind beyond explanation about my affection. Yesterday, I did the uncanny - traded my wife for the Nokia Lumia 800! It's more of a companion for me.
I'd so much like to get one of these, but after using an HD7 for a long time I'm just not sure how I could go from a 4.3" to 3.7" screen (despite how much nicer AmoLED is. BTW the comparison photos make the HD7 screen look a lot worse than it really is).
WP7/7.5 really is the nicest mobile OS out there, everything is just so damn easy to 'get' and no boring 4x4 grid of icons that is just old and tired nowdays.
How many posts above this one are from MS PR?
why ook for a reason not to buy an android
?
Now, if only Nokia would offer this phone for, say, T-Mobile, where I can use it with pre-paid service...
If only...
No way to put in SD storage or replace the battery. Those are main reasons why I left the iPhone camp for the Android Galaxy 2S. Plus a 4.65" amoled screen.
I really want to see Microsoft succeed, but this storage thing really needs to be fixed.
Funny how you people think amoled is new and better then galaxy s? Why don't yousee the new galaxy nexus! Which will kill of m$. First 720p hd super amoled screen. ICS! IM GETTING IT been using the sanding focus and hate this thing.
The thing that will make this Nokia good is that Microsoft have made WP7 very very well.
It's quick and responsive. Combine that with amazing Nokia hardware?
It will be hard to beat. Especially with their future phones
Of all the positive people posting here, maybe one will buy a win7 phone. The rest will stick to their android phones.
The unfortunate fact is, even though windows phone 7 is a great os; people are just too used to what they have and don't want to change.
Personally I wouldn't buy a win7 phone for the same reasons I wouldn't buy an iPhone - no flash support, closed ecosystem, and evil corporation.
Great phone, been using it for a few days now and had no problems moving from an iphone to this new OS. Really easy to use get to know. Few bugs in the OS, which will hopefully be fixed soon. Video playback is great, camera could have been better but the weight and feel of the phone definitely beats any other phone.
I'm a WP7 user for the last 11 months and love the simplicity. You just can not get lost and its so much better with the new mango update. My one is the first gen HTC HD7, my only complaint at the moment is battery life. My next phone will be WP7, I'm a fan of HTC. I dont know I mignt go for Nokia(WP7) next time.
Can that thing make phone callls too? Nokia was famous for its good phones. Is that a phone too? My current Nokia phone could go without a recharge for a week (and about 10 days when it was new). Can this go without a charge for a day?
Of all the positive people posting here, maybe one will buy a win7 phone. The rest will stick to their android phones.The unfortunate fact is, even though windows phone 7 is a great os; people are just too used to what they have and don't want to change.Personally I wouldn't buy a win7 phone for the same reasons I wouldn't buy an iPhone - no flash support, closed ecosystem, and evil corporation.
That's not really quite so. Before the first iPhone there was no other iPhone but now it is the most popular smart phone.
nokia changes my life to eazy