Nokia Lumia 920 vs HTC Windows Phone 8X head to head review

HTC, despite is reputation as maker of Android-powered smartphones, has one of the longest relationships with Microsoft of any mobile manufacturer. It created devices for the now-extinct Windows Mobile back in the days when smartphones were still a rare luxury item.

However since then Nokia's muscled in on the territory, launching its Lumia line of smartphones and becoming known across the world as the primary Windows Phone handset maker.

The two firms have subsequently been jostling for position as the go-to Windows Phone handest maker. Most notably, HTC stole some of Nokia's thunder by unveiling its Windows Phone 8X (WP 8X) before Nokia could show off its own Lumia 920. Both then claimed to have been anointed by Microsoft as the maker of the flagship Windows Phone handset.

Looking to clear up the confusion, we've put the Lumia 920 and WP 8X head to head, to see which smartphone is most worthy of the title.

Design and build
Visually the Lumia 920 and WP 8X are both very striking, coming in a host of vibrant colour options and boasting angular corners that make them look radically different to most other smartphones.

However of the two, we have to say the WP 8X is far nicer in hand. This is largely because the WP 8X is significantly thinner and lighter than the Lumia 920 measuring in at 132x66x10.1mm and weighing 130g.

The Lumia 920 measures in at 130x71x10.7mm and is one of the heaviest smartphones we've seen, topping the scales at a hefty 185g. The weight, while not as much of a problem as you might think, will likely put off some smartphone users and makes the WP 8X feel feather light by comparison.

Another contributing factor to the WP 8X's in-hand comfort is its slightly rubberised finish. Unlike the Lumia 920's smooth unibody reinforced polycarbonate chassis, the WP 8X's chassis is slightly textured, making it slightly easier to get a firm grip on the device.

However despite feeling nicer in hand, when it comes to build quality, the Lumia 920 wins out. Testing the two devices we found the WP 8X's rubberised finish is a little bit delicate, being fairly prone to picking up marks and blemishes.

The Lumia 920 by comparison is among the solidest built phones we've ever encountered. During our tests the device suffered more than the regular wear and tear expected of a smartphone, surviving one particularly bad drop onto London's gravelled streets without so much as a scratch.

Winner: The WP 8X

Next: Screen and software