Group test: what's the best Windows phone?

5. HTC Windows Phone 8S

• Reviewed on: 22 January 13
• RRP: Around £250 inc VAT (£26 a month on 24-month contract)
• Rating:

The HTC Windows Phone 8S is the first Windows Phone 8 handset to fit into the mid-range price category. As such it's not quite the performer of the high-end Windows Phone 8 devices, but it's not so poor as to make it a bad deal. It offers solid performance and features for a reasonable price. Whether you prefer it to a similarly priced Android phone will depend on your own subjective preference of platform.

4. Nokia Lumia 820

• Reviewed on: 21 November 12
• RRP: £400
• Rating:

The Lumia 820 is a smaller and cheaper version of the 920 but doesn't pack the same punch, especially in key areas such as the screen and camera. We like the interchangeable covers and decent battery life. However, in the Windows Phone 8 market, HTC's 8X could well outdo the 820 for the same price so look out for our review soon. Those not set on the operating system should consider the Nexus 4 which has high-end specs but sells for £240.

3. HTC Windows Phone 8X

• Reviewed on: 29 November 12
• RRP: £400 inc. VAT
• Rating:

The HTC Windows Phone 8X is the best all-rounder of the Windows Phone 8 smartphones we've tried. It has a different and less comprehensive selection of pre-loaded apps to Nokia models, but the hardware is better than the identically priced Lumia 820.

2. Nokia Lumia 920

• Reviewed on: 1 November 12
• RRP: £444 inc. VAT
• Rating:

The Lumia 920 is a very desirable smartphone. We love the fantastic screen, decent camera and it's jam packed with features. However, the downsides are the chunky design and somewhat spartan app store.

1. Nokia Lumia 720

• Reviewed on: 29 April 13
• RRP: Around £200-250 inc VAT
• Rating:

We really like the Lumia 720. Nokia has made a well-balanced smartphone which could be exactly what Windows Phone 8 needs. It offers decent performance at a more than decent price.