Search
  • Videos
  • 5G
  • Windows 10
  • Cloud
  • Innovation
  • Security
  • Tech Pro
  • more
    • Apple
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Log In to ZDNET
    • Join ZDNet
    • About ZDNet
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • 5G
    • Windows 10
    • Cloud
    • Innovation
    • Security
    • Tech Pro
    • Apple
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Log In to ZDNET
      • Join ZDNet
      • About ZDNet
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet China
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

Mango showdown: Lumia 800 vs HTC Titan

1 of 6 NEXT PREV
  • Nokia Lumia 800 and HTC Titan side-by-side

    Nokia Lumia 800 and HTC Titan side-by-side

    For those looking for a new smartphone running Mango, the most recent version of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.5 OS, there aren't many handsets to choose from right now.

    However, two flagship devices for the operating system are now available, with the launch of the Nokia Lumia 800 (shown right) at Nokia World in October and the release of the HTC Titan (shown left, not to be confused with the HTC TyTN).

    Given that, this is a good time to pit the two Mango smartphones head-to-head. Read on for a comparison of features, with my conclusions at the end.

    There are a lot of similarities between the two. Both have 8-megapixel cameras, both run Windows Phone 7.5 and, as such, both have integrated Microsoft Office for SharePoint, documents and One Note access on the go. Both also have the same level of integration of social-networking services such as Twitter and Facebook.

    The HTC Titan is the larger of the two. It has an impressive 4.7-inch super-LCD display, compared with the Lumia 800's curved 3.7-inch Amoled ClearBlack touchscreen. To my eyes, the Nokia screen has the edge for everyday use, as the homescreen and menus look less washed out, thanks to smaller icons.

    On the other hand, fans of watching full-length films or TV shows on the phone will find the larger screen of the Titan lends itself more to such tasks. For everyday use, I found the Titan to be a little wider than is comfortable to hold in portrait mode for long periods. This is true when doing common things like writing an email or text message, or making a long phone call.

    Published: November 12, 2011 -- 14:56 GMT (06:56 PST)

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • Nokia Lumia 800 Design

    Nokia Lumia 800 Design

    With the Lumia 800, Nokia has managed to create a smartphone that looks different in design from the general pack of handsets, with its almost convex shape. Its all-rounded edges meet distinctly square ends, the frame topped off with its curved glass display.

    Thanks to its smaller overall dimensions, it's easy enough to hold, and while it is not lightweight at 142g, it is manageable. By contrast, the HTC Titan lives up to its name at 160g.

    Both handsets respond quickly to screen presses, and I didn't see any lag in opening apps from a fresh start. Occasionally, both needed a second to 'resume' when unlocking the screen into an already running app or game.

    Published: November 12, 2011 -- 14:56 GMT (06:56 PST)

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • Nokia Lumia Nokia Drive

    Nokia Lumia Nokia Drive

    I also prefer the manufacturer-specific apps on the Lumia, and Nokia Maps and Nokia Drive's turn-by-turn navigation are particularly impressive. The handset also comes with Nokia's Mix Radio service, which lets people to listen to non-user controllable playlists from a number of musical genres for free and without registration.

    Published: November 12, 2011 -- 14:56 GMT (06:56 PST)

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • HTC pre-installed apps

    HTC pre-installed apps

    For its part, the HTC also comes with pre-installed tools. These include HTC Hub, which provides quick access to weather, news and stock market information, all of which can be individually pinned to the homescreen.

    The 'connected media' feature on the Titan is handy, as it allows people to connect to local media servers on the same Wi-Fi network as the phone. This gives access to stored items such as music and pictures.

    However, I'm not sure I'd find any need for the Locations feature, and while I'm interested in the HTC Watch film-streaming and download options, in my testing only film trailers were available for viewing.

    I also tried to sync an unsupported video file to the handset via Microsoft's integrated Zune software. (As there is no drag-and-drop file support, transfers must be done with Zune.) While Zune automatically converted the 350MB .AVI file for playback, it took around 25 minutes to complete the conversion and sync the file, making the whole process rather long if carried out with multiple files.

    Published: November 12, 2011 -- 14:56 GMT (06:56 PST)

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • Nokia Lumia versus HTC Titan - camera

    Nokia Lumia versus HTC Titan - camera

    Camera performance differed more than I expected between the two phones, with the Titan slightly edging out the Lumia's 8-megapixel Carl Zeiss optics-equipped camera, somewhat against my expectations.

    The colours on the Lumia were far cooler than the photos taken at the same time and in the same conditions as with the Titan. Somewhat strangely, during testing I could hear the Titan clicking as it attempted to auto-focus before taking a picture.

    The Titan also has a front-facing camera, a feature badly missing from the Lumia 800. This means the Nokia smartphone will not be able to take advantage of Microsoft Office Lync integration when it arrives later in 2011.

    Published: November 12, 2011 -- 14:56 GMT (06:56 PST)

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • Titan versus Lumia 800 - micro-USB slot

    Titan versus Lumia 800 - micro-USB slot

    The micro-USB port on the Lumia was a little tricky to access — you need to push quite hard on a little raised part on the top left of the handset. Any time the phone is plugged into a charger or PC, it leaves a flap of plastic just begging to be snapped off.

    In addition, the HTC scores an extra point for having a removable rear panel, allowing access to the battery. Owners cannot change the battery in the Nokia Lumia, which does not give access.

    After spending at least a week using both phones, my conclusion is there is not very much between the two. Both make the mistake of omitting microSD expansion slots, so internal memory is limited to 16GB for each. They have similar external hardware controls, with a dedicated camera shutter button and volume rockers.

    Neither have near-field communications (NFC), which is a disappointment given Nokia's use of the contactless technology in Symbian Belle handsets, but the Microsoft OS does not support it. Neither have support for connecting to a larger external screen, either.

    So which handset came out on top? Ultimately, it's the Nokia Lumia 800 that I reach for more often before I walk out the door.

     In its favour, it has support for the same files and features as the Titan, with the addition of the excellent Nokia Maps, Drive and Mix Radio services. While video playback or photo slideshows on its smaller screen may not be as impressive as on the Titan's, I can live with that compromise for being easier to use at most other times.

    Is it perfect? No, but the Lumia 800's more manageable size and distinctive design make it a more interesting and usable phone.

    Published: November 12, 2011 -- 14:56 GMT (06:56 PST)

    Caption by: Ben Woods

1 of 6 NEXT PREV
  • Nokia Lumia 800 and HTC Titan side-by-side
  • Nokia Lumia 800 Design
  • Nokia Lumia Nokia Drive
  • HTC pre-installed apps
  • Nokia Lumia versus HTC Titan - camera
  • Titan versus Lumia 800 - micro-USB slot

Smartphones based on Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.5 are arriving, with Nokia's Lumia 800 and HTC's Titan are range-topping handsets. Here's how they measure up against each other.

Read More Read Less

Nokia Lumia 800 and HTC Titan side-by-side

For those looking for a new smartphone running Mango, the most recent version of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.5 OS, there aren't many handsets to choose from right now.

However, two flagship devices for the operating system are now available, with the launch of the Nokia Lumia 800 (shown right) at Nokia World in October and the release of the HTC Titan (shown left, not to be confused with the HTC TyTN).

Given that, this is a good time to pit the two Mango smartphones head-to-head. Read on for a comparison of features, with my conclusions at the end.

There are a lot of similarities between the two. Both have 8-megapixel cameras, both run Windows Phone 7.5 and, as such, both have integrated Microsoft Office for SharePoint, documents and One Note access on the go. Both also have the same level of integration of social-networking services such as Twitter and Facebook.

The HTC Titan is the larger of the two. It has an impressive 4.7-inch super-LCD display, compared with the Lumia 800's curved 3.7-inch Amoled ClearBlack touchscreen. To my eyes, the Nokia screen has the edge for everyday use, as the homescreen and menus look less washed out, thanks to smaller icons.

On the other hand, fans of watching full-length films or TV shows on the phone will find the larger screen of the Titan lends itself more to such tasks. For everyday use, I found the Titan to be a little wider than is comfortable to hold in portrait mode for long periods. This is true when doing common things like writing an email or text message, or making a long phone call.

Published: November 12, 2011 -- 14:56 GMT (06:56 PST)

Caption by: Ben Woods

1 of 6 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Mobility Smartphones Mobile OS Security Hardware Reviews
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • Old flames: Products that keep the retro fires burning

    It's no fun when lovers play mind games, but there's no shortage of ways to celebrate one's love of old video games, not to mention other tech products carrying brands that once flamed ...

  • Top 10 'must have' apps for iPhone users

    I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I too many apps on my iPhone. But while many are ones that I turn to occasionally, and other were flash-in-the-pan apps that I used for a bit and then ...

  • Valentine's Day gifts: Tech for lovers and friends

    If your partner or friend is tech-obsessed, we've rounded some cool items we think they'll love this Valentine's Day.

  • Last-minute tech gifts and gadgets for your Valentine

    Chocolate and flowers are not the only options this Valentine's Day.

  • Olloclip iPhone XS clip and Connect X lenses: Take your mobile photography to the next level

    Olloclip recently released new lens mounting clips for the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. With support for nine Intro, Essential, and Pro lenses there isn't anything you can't capture ...

  • Crowdfunding projects that left backers jilted at the altar

    Crowdfunding offers products such as smartwatches, smartphone accessories, and smart printers. Backing them, however, may not always be a smart move. Whether it be to malice, or ...

  • Apple products you shouldn't buy (February 2019 edition)

    Apple products are expensive, so it makes sense to avoid buying anything that's nearing the end of its lifecycle, or when you can buy something of equivalent quality from another vendor. ...

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2019 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Cookies | Ad Choice | Advertise | Terms of Use | Mobile User Agreement

  • Topics
  • All Authors
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • Site Map
  • RSS Feeds
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In | Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums