Windows Phone 8: all the reviews you need

Nokia's focus with Windows Phone 8 might be on its Lumia 920 handset, but the Lumia 820 might be even more appealing but for those looking at smaller and lower-cost options. It’s a promising handset that will be available in several variations on US networks, with near-identical internals but different outer casing designs. With a 4.3-inch ClearBlack display, removable wireless charging shells, microSD storage, and a removable battery — the Lumia 820 is clearly aimed at smartphone buyers who want added control over their smartphone hardware and a different experience than the Lumia 920.

This added control comes at a cost though, like a smaller, lower-resolution display and just 8GB of internal storage. Can this mid-range handset popularize Nokia's Lumia range for the masses, and be the low-cost option that boosts the company’s chances at improving Windows Phone market share?

The Nokia Lumia 920 is the company’s third attempt at launching the definitive Windows Phone. In April, Nokia and Microsoft tried to convince the world that the Lumia 900 and Windows Phone 7.5 was that device, but that claim had a shorter expiration date than anybody realized. Its days were numbered, as Windows Phone 8 was an under-the-hood overhaul that wasn’t compatible with the phone.

The Lumia 920’s launch was mishandled at best. The compelling PureView camera was undercut by a marketing snafu when Nokia faked a video purporting to show its low-light capabilities. Neither Nokia nor its carrier partners could commit to a firm release date, and potential buyers have had to wait nearly two months to purchase the phone. In that time both the iPhone 5 and the Nexus 4 appeared on the scene — the competition has not stood still.

The Windows Phone 8X. Reversing a habit of putting merely a token effort into its Windows Phone range, HTC is greeting the launch of Microsoft’s eighth mobile OS with a handset that leaves no doubt about its flagship ambitions. The statement of intent that’s apparent from the look of the 8X — which immediately feels fresh, innovative and modern — is underlined by a bullish $99 price with AT&T in the US.

For an LTE-capable phone without a single blemish on its spec sheet, that represents a tremendously aggressive proposition. The big unanswered question, however, is inherent in the handset’s name — how well does Windows Phone 8 fare against the incumbent leaders of iOS and Android? Can it finally summon up enough pluses to draw people away from the comfortable and familiar into a bold new world of live tiles and flying animations? Let’s find out.