Using Windows Phone 8.1 for 8 Months... 

UPDATE: So apparently myTube is still being updated, but the Windows Store was being stupid and not updating the version on my Surface Pro, so I was on the mind set that it wasn't working at all. It's working fine now. Sorry if I confused any of you.

FUN FACTS: 1. The Metro design start screen was the most innovative UI that has ever happened to a smartphone. 2. Wifi password sharing (called WiFi Sense) was first introduced by windows phones. 3. Windows Phones had the best keyboards ever. 4. Live images, a feature introduced by windows phone was directly stolen by apple (from iPhone 6s onward) 5. OIS (optical image stabilization) and Qi wireless charging was first introduced by Lumia 920. 6. Windows phone was born in Dark mode (back in 2010) where you could switch to white mode also. Switching to either of them could influence 3rd party apps while the same in iOS (version 13) and Android (version 10) had to release an update to really support the dark mode, just released in 2019.

You took the words out of my mouth. You're not alone.

I'm only now realizing how great this was... I wish Windows phones were still a thing.

Should of used it for 8.1 months.

The screen protector and the wallet sleeve protects the phone from breaking the floor tiles.

I still have a Nokia 1020. I use it as a camera and alarm. Windows phone was so underrated, it was an excellent OS but the lack of apps killed it.

What I liked about WP: - Live tiles: being able to pin ANYTHING to the home screen was GREAT - The price: Lumias especially were a great deal for the money - Smoothness: the OS was even smoother than the latest iOS imo. And updates DIDNT. MAKE. IT. SLOWER - Lumia apps: the suite of Nokia apps (photo and video editing, maps, MixRadio) was AMAZING and very well designed

14:09 I’m not crying, you are

This is exactly how i feel about Windows Phone too: an OS with great potential, with a great UX (as you said, reachable controls, consistent, responsive), unfortunately let down by the app support. I got my Lumia 925 in 2014, and still use it today on Win10 Mobile, although it's barely usable for me due to the lack of apps. But damn, that thing was *exciting* when i got it, especially from a photography standpoint. You got proper manual controls in the camera app, as well as Lumia Cinemagraph, and whatever that app was called that had the colour pop and cool time-lapse photo kinda effect. It wasn't a particularly powerful phone, but the software was well considered, and the OLED display coupled with the smooth animations made it feel more powerful than it was. And it had an FM radio, which i didn't use an awful lot, but at least it was there. To me, it was one of the only operating systems that felt truly creative, which helped me to feel more creative too. Sure, i was a kid who took crappy photos of the sunset and edited them to death, but it beats being an adult who takes passable photos and promptly forgets all about them. It feels to me like technology has gotten to a point where it's so "perfect" that it's become boring. Sure, we have the best cameras ever in a smartphone -- heck, we have *three* of them -- but i wouldn't feel inspired to use those cameras for anything particularly original. Maybe that's just me, though, and the days of childlike wonder for the new flashy tech has given way to indifference. Oh god, maybe i'm turning into a boomer lol Anyway, this video -- and by extension the whole channel -- deserves way more attention. Subs should be in the tens of thousands at least for videos as in-depth and well thought out as this one, and i hope that ends up a reality.

I have used Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 from 2012 to 2015. Considering the UI it was the best mobile OS I have ever experienced. But the lack of apps even the big ones like Instagram was just so horrible that I would never go back to it.

I loved using windows phone so much and it's really heartbreaking that my phone dying. 🖤 Thanks for this video.

It would be pretty cool to see you try Windows 10 Mobile for a week... or 8 months if you end up liking it. 😅

Microsoft really got the UX right with Windows Phone with things like the consistent app experiences and one-handed operation. Unfortunately, I think the death knell was when they switched the underlying platform leaving all the first generation devices stranded on WP8.1. This was felt as a real kick in the guts to all us supporters who loved our WP devices.

I love Windows Phone :) I wish more people tried it like you did and saw how much innovation, balance, and consistency was really in there. Edit: I like Windows 8.1 both for PC and phone, it has so much synchronization and consistency, I use Windows 10 and Android 6, but it would have been cool to grow up using the Microsoft ecosystem, especially if people didn't hate on Windows 8.1 so much.

I absolutely LOVED my windows phone and wish that I could still use it!! It still remains my favorite phone. I pray that this amazing device is looked at again and given another chance to thrive as it should.

I've reset my Lumia a long time ago and wanted to get back to it but can't install anything because the store doesn't work anymore 😭

Love the enthusiasm! But next time, ditch the screen protector and sleeve. Man that 930 is a gorgeous phone! It looks better than any phone design Apple ever made, but in your video we can't see that.

It's funny that you switched to semi-dead platform and had a better time than "the bestest phone that jUsT wOrKs". I remember reviewer after reviewer panning the Windows Phones for lack of apps, but if they used the phones for more than a week, they could not only get around most "issues" (that stem from it being different than the iphones), but they'd find the alternatives are kind of better, because they're not just lazy ports. I remeber having such a blast with my Lumia 650, which was a pretty underpowered phone, but it did a great job with what it had, and was just a beautiful piece of tech (definitely better than the entry level android phones of the era). Like you said, the live tiles are to this day the best use of a home screen. I use a Galaxy Fold 3, but i use Square Home launcher which emulates the live tiles admirably. I also like that the Samsung phones work great with windows/microsoft apps and machines... but you didnt even mention Continuum, which was just so ahead of its time... again, only Samsung's Dex has achieved that same ideal of using your phone INSTEAD of a (entry to mid-range) computer. While iPhone users (and reviewers) rejoice because of "cute" dynamic island animations, years ago, Microsoft, as a relative newcomer in the phone space, catapulted their phones way beyond what iPhones even dream of achieving today. Anyway, I'm getting salty, but i do wish Microsoft had stuck with it rather than abandoning their platform. I had high hopes for their Microsoft launcher, hoping they'd bring back live tiles and other fantastic elements of their platform. This video gave me a huge dose of nostalgia...

I hear you bro... Posting this using myTube!, on a Lumia 650 in 2021. 😉👍🏼

lol he was recording with his iPhone

I used a windows phone for 2 years and I absolutely loved it !! Agree with you on the productivity part, no unnecessary apps, or distractions. And even on 1GB ram, it was smoother than 2or 3GB android phones...

I remember I really liked the keyboard. Too bad it never had apps in the store, it was an incredible phone OS.

Stop making old men cry

it was my dream to get this phone back in the day, it was one of my goals that when I earned enough someday to buy this exact phone, it's too bad the whole platform was discontinued 😞

My first phone was a Windows phone...So many good memories with that Windows phone🥺

Thanks so much for the shoutout dude! Glad you enjoyed my video. Blessings!!

Thanks for the enthusiasm, I still use a Lumia 1520 on W10M as my daily driver. Limitations, to be sure, but I was testing out an iPhone 6S I repaired last night and it seemed soul-less and a bit primitive by comparison. An icon with a number on it is no substitute for live tiles! Keep up the good work.

Dude this took me back. I used to have a lumia 920 had an amazing time with it. when i had the chance to change the platform i didn't and got a lumia 1520 and i loved that even more because of that huge display. when all hopes lost after not getting some major apps i had to switch. but i still got my 920 and 1520 with me cause they represent an era of greatness.

Loved my Lumia 925. Wish Microsoft had a clear plan to lure more developers into the this ecosystem. A rushed Windows Mobile 10 update kinda killed the whole smooth experience.

Windows phones will have a special place in my heart too. RIP.

The biggest issue with windows phone was the lack of apps made for it. Developers have had years to develop apps for iOS and Android. With windows 10 having an App Store now and a lot of apps slowly transitioning into that, it feels like windows phone would have had a bigger chance of succeeding nowadays. They were just a bit early

I used this OS for one year and I miss how clean it was.

I used Windows devices (phone and mobile) from 2013 to 2019, and it was the best smartphone experience of my life ... The only company responsible for the death of Windows Mobile is Microsoft: they could "inspire" developers to work with the platform but they didn`t...

This is the most interesting phone review I have seen in years (and that says a lot). Your take on a windows phone review was exactly what others wouldn't talk about. We know that "haha windows phone dead" and how awkward it is to use when you're used to android/iOS. The inside look into what the OS is really like to use and the shortcuts you found was much more interesting. The many positive things you brought up actually kind of shocked me. Also, I genuinely wonder what you would think of stock android on something like a Pixel 4a. That's what I've recently gravitated towards because of just how simple and inexpensive it is. That's coming from a tech enthusiast who has always wanted the newest flagship with the most features. What you said about a simpler, less distracted smartphone experience really resonated with me. Maybe we should all step back and see if our smartphone usage is actually productive and spend time on other things if it's not.

I have been on Android tablets/phones for 5/4 years but my Lumia 520's Windows Phone 8.1 was still the best OS for phones. Ever. The apps just made so much sense, like the omnipresent updatable dynamic tiles, continuous movement of tiles, the keyboard with clipboard, and many other things.

I'm really sad there aren't new Windows/Microsoft phones. Great review!

Fun Fact: The Voicemail Sound on Windows Phone is actually a reference to early Windows operating systems like 3.1 or 95

I loved Windows Mobile! I recently setup Square Home launcher on my Android 10 device because I was nostalgic for the Metro/Live Tiles look

Would you still use it if they didnt shut down the services?

Found a Lumia 650 for £4.79 (US$6.44) It’s awesome. UI feels great, love the hardware. WHY DID YOU KILL IT MICROSOFT

I completely agree and believe what you said. The phone is for calls, texting, emails, and a few games. My old Lumia 640 XL LTE does it better than iPhone 12. I hope it returns soon. I was also more productive until it was my primary phone. Top-notch hardware performance, never lagged, and quite stable. Oh and the camera.

I had so much nostalgia when it came to the Windows Phone. it was like using a Zune with cellphone capabilities lol I was also surprised at how well the OS ran on such low-end hardware.

Having used both Windows Phone 7, 8 and later WM10 I must say it was definitely my favourite operating system. (Now I have iOS but used BB, Symbian and android as well)

This makes me miss my Windows Phone so hard! 😭 Good old days! If only the developers could jump on it again...

Putting a case and screenprotector on a Nokia phone is against the law.

😂 I love it when he's almost breaking down when giving the final critique at the end of his videos... Like someone's gonna get a beating

I've used Android for so many years, now switched to iOS and I am more and more pleased with it. But the truth is - there is not and there won't be any other platform like Windows Phone 8.1. Had my best experience with my Lumia 930 and Windows Mobile making comeback in this form factor would be my dream come true.

Watching this feels like i had many friends in the past but we just grew apart. Come one buddies, let's have a night out one time. Drink beer and sing karaoke. Hahaha

WIndows Phone had the best ringtones and notification sounds, and they go as back as Windows Phone 7. I remember the 2010 HTC phones running Windows 7 that featured these same ringtones and notification sounds, and on HTC phones, combined with the elegant design of those phones and the constant presence of a notification light, it was soo satisfying! It was making you feel like a business man. I'm looking at you, HTC 7 Mozart!

I enjoyed my time with my first smartphone, a Lumia 535. It was really good for a while, but I started to notice the lack of apps and modding community was already dead. Then I switched to my first Android, a Blu Vivo 5 (good mid-range phone with bad software), and was night and day in concern of the apps but I missed the UI.

My favorite ringtone on my Nokia Lumia 520 is the dubstep Nokia tone, I like the entire interface of the Windows Phone. The micro SD slot where I've put a micro SD card and OneDrive have saved my life, because when I've broken the screen by accident, I was very sad, but when I saw that all the pics was stored on the micro SD card and on OneDrive I was happy.

Agreed man. For me it was the best platform. I just loved it it's a shame developers didn't want to continue with the project for many reasons. Luckily on android you can use microsoft launcher and have almost identical customization

You made me cry dude for a platform that won my heart but didn't stay too long.

I love your videos and I appreciate your work. Keep grinding ;D

My dad's been using this OS for over 7 years now. His phone is held together by duct tape at this point, some of the components are just peaking out, yet it still works just fine. Nokia is a beast.

11:39 trash reccomendations? well I'm using stock YT and I found you here xDD I'm amused. Nice vid tho. was asking myself how is it really... is it rly that bad as ppl were saying

I agree. I was also surprised to see how smooth windows Phone experience was on a phone so cheap that maybe a feature phone was only possible in that budget range. All it needed was app support to take off.

Alright! Finally got an upload in! Apologies for any rendering issues this video may have (which is kinda the reason why this took a bit of time). Oh yeah, iOS is still a good OS. Just thought I'd mention some factors that would help support my argument, even if iOS can be kinda dumb at times :). YES, YES, I know about the iOS 14 features (Widgets and stuff). This video was being produced before WWDC 2020 was held. Wow, this video is already outdated. iOS is starting to get some life (even if this is directly stolen from android).

I wanted a phone just for calls, texting, calendar, qwerty keyboard, and 4g so I bought a Nokia Lumia 530. Budget also played a part. I don’t want a full smartphone. This video helped me feel good about my decision. Thank you.

My lumia 540 is dead it was my first smartphone:(

I had the Verizon variant of this phone from launch all the way till the beginning of 2020 (so basically 6 years). Always responsive and still had almost all day battery life by the time I switched to a Nokia 6.1. Still has one of the best phone cameras I've used.

7:11 When they advertise their iPhones

The way Facebook and other social media integration was done , it was so awesome .

Interesting! Never really experienced Windows Phone, I only know 1 person who has used it.

Now i’m interested to throw my Pixel away and get this instead. What type of Windows Phone do you recommend me to try? Also i’m just a light weight user, i only use my phone for WhatsApp, Line, and RU-vid, so i think WP will be a perfet fit for my needs. (ehem, i also got easily distracted, that’s why i think WP is a soild investment.). Thank you for making this video, it’s very mind opening.

Now I use a iPhone but windows 8 was for me the best

Windows 8.1 and windows 8.1 mobile is the bettest systems. Fast, lags free, no much bloatware as windows 10 ...

windows keyboard was one of the best! i had a lumia 1020

14:03 Basic phone functionality is calling. That's all a phone needs to do.

Gonna say this: bring an android launcher like this

My favourite feature of Windows Mobile was how quick it was to clear browsing history :( Damn I miss those days

No offense but "I can check the weather without opening the app!" == Literally any Android Weather app.

I have used windows phone 8.1 for 2 years and windows phone 10 for 1 years (different phones) and I feel WP is still the best mobile OS, the only thing I hated was the poor app support. WP was ahead of it's time especially WP 10 and microsoft has always been creative with their products. I hope WP is relaunched with better app support and less strict design rules for app developers

You are too limited use android sometime! Massive display Massive customisation Massive battery Massive camera And most importantly you can die happy saving money!

my dad used to have a windows phone, I used to use it sometimes and honestly I loved it and im considering buying one

My dad got the highest end lumia from grandpa as a gift. It had an entire windows desktop mode but we never noticed.

Man!! This review reads my mind like a book! I have a Lumia 1020 and I can't explain better why I love it over my 2020 devices 😭

Switching from Windows Phone to Android was really hard and I still miss it all the time. But one by one each app that I used stopped being supported and I had no choice.

Windows phone 8.1 was so much sleeker and smoother than Windows 10 for mobile. I loved the design language, the animations and how it stood out so beautifully from the rest of the pack. W10 is still a glitchy mess on the one WP device I still have (the Lumia 638).

All I want is this guy to be happy Microsoft please make windows phone 2

I had a chance to use Lumia 1020 for a short amount of time when it came out, and camera and overall feel amazed me. I liked design of UI, but I actually never went for Windows phone since there was always that problem with lack of apps. But yeah, too bad that it is gone now since we only have two options to choose from right now. It's the same phone every year, only with a bit updated internals and some minor UI changes. But yeah, I hope a third option will pop out one day, but Windows phone will always have a special place for me.

This RU-vidr is amazing, this isn't enough subscribers

Honestly I feel the switch back wouldn't have been as painful if you got a samsung, I pretty much have the same phone usage as you, so I removed all social media except for messenger and youtubw, then the features of everyday are tailored and customised for me, edge panels for apps I use, custom yooutube app, custom widgets, muted selective notifications, custom lock screen with app launches and the such, this paired with the amazing hardware makes the minimal usage an experience you'll love, I understand the thought of “cuz of the phone“ but samsungs UI has had HUGE rehauls and optimization, i had my s10 for almost 2 years and it's still as speedy, breezy and amazing as day one without a joke. I recommend to take a look at samsungs new OneUI they've been rolling out these past years, it's GAME CHANGING

i wish developers would actually make apps so it wouldn't die! windows phone is such an unique OS and it was fun with those live tiles and slide interface.

Windows 8.1 ringtones were the best, I used to Install a (WP) launcher on my android phones and customize them completely with Live tiles to settings to MS apps, it was a great experience. (I still have it, not updated (it's been almost a decade)) Really looked good on boxy phones and Especially on HTC M8 (as it came with wp version also).

you know, the animation is smoother than my life, the keyboard is awesome than any phone i've been using, and it was seamless with ms account. if someone started to hack the wp source code and make it open source, i would like to contribute on the repo as much as i could.

Great video! I really miss my old Lumia 930, it had the best camera and especially best camera app on any phone I've ever used.

one thing i missed from Windows phone, is where everything is accessible from the bottom screen. The search bar, the hamburger menu, options for each app... all at convenient reach..

you're the only person who hasn't bashed windows phone and actually likes it, i use android and ios 6

You're also making Windows 8.1feel better than you've ever made it look before.

This video was perfect, says everything I thought. I still miss using 8.1 on my 1520 so much

I had a Windows Phone, and I loved it. The only thing I felt it was lacking was a better web browser.

I use the swipe typing introduced in Windows Phone. It's faster, more satisfying, and surprisingly reliable. My dad loved Windows Phones; he used one until 2017...

I had a windows phone in the past, not as a main phone, but I will say, playing music on the windows phone is crispy and it has good equalizer settings as well

this kid got everything right. oh I wish I could go back to 2010 and enjoy that new Windows Phone OS again..

I remembered a few years back I needed a cheap phone to buy when I broke the screen on my s4. The phone I got was a Microsoft Lumia 532 for $40 AUD. For a $40 phone, that thing bloody rocked. It was super fast and responsive, way faster than any android phone that cost more than triple the amount, I managed to get the latest update of Windows 10 Mobile at the time and the metro tiles were awesome. Not to mention, it had one of the best phone keyboard I'd ever used. If it wasn't for the lack off app support like RU-vid. I would of gotten myself a more higher end Lumia as my next phone. Pity Windows Phone didn't take off as it had allot of remediable features.

I'm using it as my daily phone with WP 10. Still great. Productivity with this phone is awesome!

loved my samsung ativ s back in the day i was so hyped when the 8.1 update was released

I just ordered a Lumia 735 last night…pretty hyped