Mobiles.co.uk Review on Windows Phone 7 Debut

LONDON, October 26, 2010 - Microsoft is rumoured to be allocating $400 million (GBP253 million) to
spend on publicising its freshly launched Windows Phone 7 mobile operating
system (OS), and in the first days of its arrival it has already been made
available on a number of different Smartphones from major manufacturers.
Whilst the software giant left the IT community largely impressed with
Windows 7 for desktop PCs it has failed to win plaudits for its previous
batch of Windows mobile phones. Now this is all set to change as Windows
Phone 7 makes its debut and wins new customers into the contract phone
market.

The HTC HD7 is the largest and most imposing of the first Windows 7
mobiles to hit the market, and HTC Mobile has made a name for itself with
monster handsets. This is because its 4.3 inch touchscreen display is a third
of an inch larger than its nearest rival, the Samsung Omnia 7. The
manufacturer has taken the sensible step of including a kick stand on the
rear of the HTC HD7 which will allow users to stand the phone on its side and
watch movies on a flat surface, which is really what its large screen
deserves.

It is important to note that Microsoft has imposed minimum specification
requirements across Windows 7 phones and as such HTC Mobile options are going
to house ultimately the same hardware as the handsets from rival
manufacturers. This is why the HTC HD7 (
www.mobiles.co.uk/o2-htc-hd7.html) has the same 1GHz processor clock
speed as that of the Omnia 7 or the LG Optimus 7. To differentiate themselves
these phones have varying camera technologies and display types, although
again a minimum of five megapixels for the camera and 3.7 inches for the
display is something to which the manufacturers have had to adhere to ensure
unity across Windows mobile phones (
www.mobiles.co.uk/windows-mobile-phones.html).

The Windows 7 phone (www.mobiles.co.uk/windows-mobile-phones.html)
which is leading the pack in terms of photographic capabilities is the HTC
Mozart. This has an eight megapixel camera (
www.mobiles.co.uk/camera-phones.html) with Xenon flash and it easily
eclipses the five megapixel units installed on the HTC HD7 or the Samsung
Omnia 7. Like these phones it can capture video in 720p HD and initial tests
show that there needs to be a little improvement in this area across the
board as it does not quite stack up to the HD video capture on the iPhone 4
or rival Android phones.

The Samsung Omnia 7 demonstrates its unique qualities in a fairly
eye-popping manner. This is thanks to its four inch Super AMOLED display.
This is the same as the unit seen on the Galaxy S, but many have commented
that the simple, bold interface style of Windows 7 suits the technology even
better, with deep blacks and vibrant colours paying testament to the contrast
capabilities. Although the HD7 has a larger screen, this is arguably a better
viewing experience. The design of the Omnia 7 is another treat as Samsung has
stuck to high quality metallic components for the backplate whilst offering
tapered sides to make it easier to grasp than other Windows 7 contract phone
options.

Samsung's domestic rival LG has also entered the Windows 7 mobile
(www.mobiles.co.uk/windows-mobile-phones.html) fray with the Optimus
7. As previously mentioned it has a 1GHz processor and a five megapixel
camera to stay in line with Microsoft's minimum requirements for hardware
like HTC Mobile, but it might also be one of the more affordable arrivals for
those who want to get onboard with this new OS at the beginning without
shelling out for an expensive contract phone.

Whether you choose an HTC Mobile, a Samsung (
www.mobiles.co.uk/samsung-mobile-phones.html) or an LG contract phone
(www.mobiles.co.uk/windows-mobile-phones.html) you will probably be
impressed with what these first in a new breed of Windows mobile phones have
to offer. Although some have expressed reservations about the hardware, most
have been impressed with the intuitive tiled interface and potential for
media and gaming provided by Zune and Xbox Live services respectively.

    Mark Batson
    Marketing Assistant
    tel: +44(0)752-5743715
    mark.batson@mobiles.co.uk
    Mobiles.co.uk
    1 Portal Way
    North Acton
    London
    W3 6RS

Mark Batson, Marketing Assistant, tel: +44(0)752-5743715, mark.batson at mobiles.co.uk, Mobiles.co.uk, 1 Portal Way, North Acton, London, W3 6RS