4 Long-Lasting Smartphones

Don't get stuck with a fancy--but battery draining--device. Check out these handsets that are built to last.

A smartphone that lasts all day can be a life saver. While trendier phones like the iPhone 5 can last a good six hours or more, some models are rated for a full 20 hours or more, which includes heavy data usage. Here are my top picks.

1. Motorola Droid RAZR M

This brand new Android-powered phone, which works on the Verizon network, is rated to last a surprising 20 hours of normal use--checking email, browsing the Web, and even checking YouTube clips. (Some smartphones give you only the "talk time" rating for usage.) The phone still has a sharp 4.3-inch screen that uses a technology called AMOLED--so, it's bright and clear but not power hungry. One important spec: Even with the amazing battery longevity, the phone still connects to Verizon's high-speed LTE network. Turn off some of the wireless options and you'll get even better battery life.

2. Lumia 920

Keep an eye on this new Windows 8 phone, which should be available in late October. The battery life is rated at 17 hours for talk time, but 10 hours for data use. That's about four hours longer than the iPhone 5 and much better than many Android phones on the market. The main perk to this phone is the camera, which uses image stabilization techniques, shoots in low light, and can even take multiple shots in succession. The Windows 8 tile interface is also easier to use.

3. Samsung Galaxy SIII

Another phone with an AMOLED display (a stunning 4.8 inches), the SIII is rated for nine hours of talk time, which is a bit less than the Lumia 920 but still higher than many Android phones. But it also has some rather unique battery-saving features. For one, the phone knows when you are looking at it. When you look away, the Smart Stay feature dims the screen automatically. Another bonus: The SIII is the "halo" phone for Samsung, which means they make extra accessories for it, like a dock for charging up.

4. Motorola ES400S

This is one of those old-school phones from a few years ago, but it has one clear advantage: It will last about 12 hours of talk time and won't break easily. Since the older Windows 6.5 operating system is on board (one that is now two versions out of date) you won't see any snazzy apps or multimedia tools. However, the phone is ruggedized for serious field use. You can drop the phone, use it on a wintry day--even spill water on the screen and expect it to keep humming along all day, without getting damaged.

Nokia Lumia 920 pricing

Earlier this week, Nokia officially announced prices for the Lumia 920 and 820 models in Russia, Italy and Germany. Despite news of pricing in Europe, Nokia refused to specify how much the devices would cost in the UK and when they will be made available. Pricing and availability in the America is still unknown. A lot has been made of how much the Nokia Lumia 920 is going to cost compared to it's fellow Windows Phone flagships; the HTC Windows Phone 8X and the Samsung ATIV S, and most importantly, how the prices compare to the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy SIII.

Comparing how much devices cost based on pricing in different markets is tricky at the best of times and somewhat nothing more that speculation as different countries have different taxation systems. Unfortunately, while Nokia continue being evasive, people will carry on speculating to such an extent that it could be detrimental. Anyway, we will try our best in applying reason and common sense in our comparison.

In Russia, the Lumia 920 will cost 24,990 roubles (£496/$800), while the 820 will go on the market for 19,990 roubles (£396/$640). In Germany, the Lumia 920 will cost €649 (£517/$834) and the 820 model will be available for €499 (£398/$642). In Italy, the 920 will be priced slightly lower at €599 (£477/$769).

Although Nokia would not confirm UK pricing, we have reason to believe that the Lumia 920 will more than likely to be closer to Italian pricing, so, somewhere around £475 SIM-free. The device will be free on contract when it's available on EE's network. The Lumia 920 seems a reasonable proposition when compared to the iPhone 5 yet the Lumia comes with a lot more features. Whichever way you look at it, the Lumia is definitely cheaper that the iPhone 5. It comes with NFC, PureView camera, PureMotion display, Nokia Maps (actually works!) and more.

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy SIII is round about the same price as the Lumia 920. That is despite the Galaxy SIII being a few months older than the Lumia 920. We suspect Nokia is holding back on announcing UK and US pricing as they want to make sure they hit the sweet spot.

Nokia and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7

Nokia is reportedly mulling whether to offer Windows Phone 7 phones according to the rumor mill. The idea does sound interesting.

First, these rumors may be completely half baked, but they do add up and have appeared before. Nokia CEO Stephen Elop is a former Microsoft man. He’s evaluating the Nokia’s prospects and aiming to reposition the company. By now he has figured out that Nokia’s core competency is hardware and scale.

Of course, Nokia may have some software mojo, but it has been consolidating its Symbian efforts. Meanwhile other analysts have said Nokia should ponder Android devices. Why stop there? Nokia should evaluate Windows Phone 7 and Android devices. Why shouldn’t Nokia be a player more like HTC or Motorola, two companies that primarily focus on hardware?
Nokia should hedge its bets on software across the board. Nokia should offer Android, Symbian and Windows Phone 7 devices.

Here’s the Google Translation of Eldar Murtazin’s newsletter on Nokia-Microsoft:

In the last month behind closed doors is a discussion of expanded cooperation Nokia and Microsoft (two-way discussion, initiated by the new leadership of Nokia). Not simply the exchange of technology, but creating an entire line of Windows Phone devices that may go under the name Nokia, through the sales channels for the company, and will also have the characteristic features of its products. This is a desperate measure of the two companies.

One quick thing to note: Desperation can sometimes work. Windows Phone 7 is a good mobile operating system in search of distribution. Nokia has scale, global reach and products for every price point. Nokia has everything but an OS. On paper, the Nokia-Microsoft thing could work.

Matthew Miller notes:
I am personally a fan of the new Windows Phone 7 operating system, I have always been a Windows Mobile fan, and also enjoy using Nokia devices. WP7 is obviously a much more modern and exciting operating system than the current Symbian OS found on devices like the Nokia N8, but Nokia is working hard on future versions of Symbian and their MeeGo OS with Intel so I highly doubt they are going to throw in the towel and adopt a Microsoft OS that is in its infancy and has a long way to go. If they were going to adopt another OS, it would make more sense to go with Android that is far more advanced and selling at a much faster pace than anything else at the moment.

Wharton professor Kartik Hosanagar said in a recent Knowlege@Wharton article:

Not owning the software platform used in its phones means that Nokia would be “giving up significant revenue and profit potential. So it wouldn’t be my first strategy. But if Nokia can’t get its act together in a year, I think it may well be the only thing to do. I think Android on Nokia could be very appealing to consumers. But Nokia is not going to embrace the Android bandwagon so soon. There’s the issue of giving up on a lucrative software platform. And then there’s the question of whether a former Microsoft exec will so easily embrace Google’s Android.”

Other Wharton profs say that Nokia’s choice of operating system is the biggest decision Elop will make.Miller calls the Windows Phone 7-Nokia rumors wild, but I don’t see Nokia’s software strategy as a zero sum affair. Nokia should hedge its mobile OS bets in a few places. And Microsoft would give Nokia some sweet terms just to get distribution. Nokia’s future business model may look a lot more like HTC’s.

Nokia’s choice is to fight the last war or move forward. When it comes to mobile Microsoft is basically in the same boat. Those facts may make Nokia and Microsoft good allies.