As a Windows phone lover and a 950xl owner (£320 on Currys ebay) I'm gonna say don't do it

I gave up hope after the very recent "MS Build 2016" event, Microsoft said mobile wasn't their focus this year and they mentioned Android and iOS more then Windows Phone.

Windows phone is waving goodbye. The hardware is great but they'll probably have one last stab with a Surface phone but the 950s are stop gaps. Talk is of cheap phones for the Indian market. The hardware is great but the software is still a little buggy and what apps they do have aren't as good as they should be (disappointed with the latest twitter app and there's only one other alternative twitter client)

I'm a developer. About 20 years ago I was a tester for Microsoft on Windows CE v1 (you know, the phone that had the same UI as Windows 95).

I've worked at agencies where if a website didn't work on a Samsung Galaxy, it'd be all hands on deck. If it didn't work on a Lumia, the response would be "meh".

Plus we're both talking about the potential of a Surface Phone - so why buy the 950? When Lumia's that have only been out a couple of years aren't getting Windows 10 Mobile, there's no guarantees that if Windows Phone gets its act together that it will apply to this Windows Phone.

Xamarin being free is a huge deal as I nearly paid £900+ for it for each platform to develop on but the fruits of this are going to take some time to be seen. It was noted that at Build 2016, hardly anyone was using a Windows Phone. Even Microsoft employees make Android only apps
http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/22/7038037/microsoft-garage-apps-project
My household has had a 520, 2x920s, a 930, a 1520,a 950xl. I've given it more than a chance. I'm done.

Do you understand what Build is about?!! It isn't a consumer orientated event...it is about engaging with developers and explaining new systems/API's that will allow them to build things for the Windows ecosystem.

If you understood what it was all about, then you would realise that Microsoft don't really consider there to be a difference (in developer terms) between Mobile/Xbox/Hololens/Desktop. They are all Windows 10 - and so all benefit from the various things that Microsoft brought to the developer table at build. Most notably; they purchased Xamarin, and are now giving it away for free to developers. THAT is a huge step forward for anyone wishing to build apps for all three major platforms. THAT is the big news for Windows Mobile users. Developers cannot ignore Windows 10, and with Xamarin, they also now have a very easy means of getting their iOS/Android apps released on Windows.

Also, I think the project Centennial bridge (just released) is big news for Windows Mobile. Assuming the Surface Phone is running an Intel chip - which seems very likely - then the millions of legacy W32 apps will all technically be able to run on a Windows Mobile device (with some minor repackaging of the app). Just imagine - a phone that can run normal apps in one moment, and then run full desktop apps via Continuum in another.

Lots of interesting things to look forward to with Windows Mobile. Just a shame Microsoft released such a budget looking flagship. It's like their designers forgot to turn up.

Not a bad time to grab one of these? Are you sure? Being a Windows Phone owner now for the past year as a taster into its architecture I would say things are getting worse instead of better.

I would not shell out £343 on a 'flagship' Microsoft Phone when all Microsoft seem to be doing is either shooting themselves in the foot, dragging their feet or burying their heads in the sand.

Oblige CCC http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/Microsoft-Lumia-inch-SIM-Free-Smartphone/product/B016BOFYT0

Wouldn't say it was a good price, personally. And yes it will get a lot cheaper and quite quickly too. At least these have an SD card slot

I'd consider paying this price this for the XL, £270 for this, MAX, bringing it in line with the current G4 price which has similar specs. Added heat for best price now but not for me. :man:

As a Windows phone lover and a 950xl owner (£320 on Currys ebay) I'm gonna say don't do it

I gave up hope after the very recent "MS Build 2016" event, Microsoft said mobile wasn't their focus this year and they mentioned Android and iOS more then Windows Phone.

Windows phone is waving goodbye. The hardware is great but they'll probably have one last stab with a Surface phone but the 950s are stop gaps. Talk is of cheap phones for the Indian market. The hardware is great but the software is still a little buggy and what apps they do have aren't as good as they should be (disappointed with the latest twitter app and there's only one other alternative twitter client)

Heavily bug ridden phone from what I have heard and read so far

Yes they will get cheaper, but I dont think it will be that drastic and quick, as the lumia 930 never really got to a consistently low price new, it's still quite high now for a phone of its age, although 2nd hand ones are quite cheap.

"Just a shame Microsoft released such a budget looking flagship. It's like their designers forgot to turn up."
imho thats where they miss nokia! they knew how to build a quality handset.

Completely agree. However, I can see what they are doing. Nokia absolutely dominated Windows Phone, and made it pointless for manufacturer's like Samsung to get involved.
Microsoft releasing just 3 phones means other manufacturers have space to make some money.
As long as Windows 10 is successful (and its app store), Windows Mobile will have the potential to succeed. But it would never succeed if Microsoft was the only device manufacturer.