Windows mobile phones

Windows mobile phones in depth

Windows Phone mobile phones are cutting-edge handsets offering great apps, powerful processors and slick user interfaces. Choose a Windows Phone mobile phone and you’ll enjoy everything a modern up-to-the-minute smartphone can offer.

For the uninitiated, Windows Phone is the name of a mobile phone operating system created by technology giant Microsoft – the company behind the Windows operating system that powers 90 per cent of personal computers.

An operating system is a software that manages a device’s resources so that it runs efficiently. Windows Phone 7 phones excel in this respect, to offer a fast and slick user experience and enable users to multitask more efficiently.

An operating system is also a platform for specially created apps and other software. Like the rival operating systems Google's Android and Apple’s iOS, Windows Phone offers a vast array of apps to choose from, taking in everything from great games to more practical business apps.

Why choose a Windows Phone smartphone?

Windows Phone mobiles feature a clean and very modern user interface that has been specifically designed to be easy to use.

At the heart of Windows Phone are what Microsoft calls ‘hubs’. These are tiles on the handset’s homescreen, each of which is designated for a particular purpose. Here, we’ll talk you through what some of these hubs are for to give you an idea of what Windows Phone offers you.

Games Hub

If you’re in the market for a phone that’s great for games, there are few better choices than a Windows Phone handset. Not only are there a host of great games specially created for the platform. You can also download and play Xbox Live Arcade title, massively expanding the range on offer.

Better still, Windows Phone phones support cross-platform gaming. This means that you can start playing a game on your Xbox 360 at home and carry on where you left off on your mobile while you are on the move.

People Hub

Social networking capabilities is one of the key things people look for now in a smartphone. Windows Phone smartphones provide a seamless social networking experience, all of which revolves around the People Hub.

Simply tap this and you can access all your contacts, along with your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Windows Live feeds all in one place. This makes it immeasurably easier to keep up to date with with friends, family and colleagues.

The People Hub also makes it quick and easy to update your profiles, with the Me card. This lets you change your status across multiple sites simultaneously.

Pictures Hub

This stores all your snaps in one place. That includes all the images you’ve taken with your phone, as well as ones you’ve downloaded and those that your friends have posted on Facebook.

Music and Video Hub

As the name suggests, this hub is focussed on entertainment and is a repository for all your videos and your music library. It’s also the place to head to for streaming videos or music you don't already own. And when you’re after something new to enjoy, you can choose from loads of films and tracks by heading to the Marketplace Hub.

Windows Phone apps

Windows Phone applications, or apps, are just as impressive as those for Android smartphones and iPhones. Choose great touchscreen games when you’re in the mood for a diversion. Or download more practical apps that will enable you to be more productive.

Other Windows Phone features

As you would expect Windows Phone 7 phones also offer all the features that are now standard in high-end smartphones, such as high-grade cameras, powerful 1GHz processors to keep everything running smoothly and responsive and expansive touchscreens.

Which Windows Phone phones are the best?

A number of highly rated phone makers have created handsets running Windows Phone, including HTC, Samsung, LG and Dell. Which is the best is largely a matter of opinion. However, HTC’s phones have won rave reviews, as have Samsung’s. As with any buying decision, choosing the right handset will depend on how much you want to spend and which features you think you’ll make the most use of.

Can't see what you're looking for? Compare deals for all the latest phones at our dedicated Latest mobile phones page