Highscreen WinWin and WinJoy: an overview of the most affordable smartphones on Windows Phone 8.1
Despite the modest share of gadgets on Windows Phone in the overall standings, Microsoft's OS does not lose its appeal in the eyes of fans. Following the takeover of Nokia in 2014, Microsoft took a course to popularize its OS for mobile devices. This summer, the company has made it easier for other manufacturers to access Windows Phone 8.1. The Russian brand Highscreen took advantage of the situation and presented two inexpensive winphones at once - Highscreen WinJoy and Highscreen WinWin. They will be discussed in this review.
First about the price. Highscreen WinJoy, the youngest model in the line, in the official store of the brand costs 3990 rubles, Highscreen WinWin - 4490 rubles. The difference in price is small, it is small in technical specifications. We’ll start with the differences.
In addition to the standard “warranty instructions” paper set, the box with Highscreen WinWin has an additional bright yellow back cover. While the main color of the smartphone is black.
Highscreen WinJoy comes without interchangeable rear panels, but the model itself is presented immediately in four color variations: black, white, red and blue.
Headphones are also slightly different: the WinWin headset has rubber pads and a silver button for answering a call, the WinJoy headset looks a bit simpler. Looking ahead, we note that both the headphones are suitable for hands-free conversations, and for better listening to music it is better to choose something more serious.
WinWin comes with a 0.8 A power adapter, with WinJoy - 1 A.
It's simple: Highscreen WinJoy is equipped with only one speaker - conversational, it also serves as a multimedia speaker. Highscreen WinWin has a full-fledged multimedia speaker, on the edges of which there are two small protrusions - so that the sound does not spoil when the smartphone is turned "on the back".
Both smartphones have removable batteries. WinJoy has a smaller battery - 1700 mAh. WinWin comes with a 2000 mAh battery. But do not be afraid of this, because we are talking about WindowsPhone, not about Android. So, in the average boot mode, the first model can work without recharging for two days, the second - 2.5.
This is where the main differences between smartphones end. We will understand the little things during the review.
Despite the fact that both devices weigh the same - 105 grams each, and are equipped with 4-inch screens, WinWin looks a little more than a younger friend. The dimensions of WinWin are 126x64x10.5 mm, the parameters of WinJoy are 122x63x9.9 mm. The difference in the thickness of the screen frames - WinWin they are wider.
The speech speakers are located on top of the front side. Front cameras are located right there. WinWin has it in the right corner, WinJoy has it in the left.
Under the screen is a standard set of touch buttons: “Back”, “Home” and “Search”. Also at the bottom is a microphone, for WinJoy - at the bottom, for WinWin - under the "Search" button.
There are two connectors on the upper edge of VinVin: for a micro-USB cable and for headphones. “VinJoy” has only an audio output of 3.5 mm at the top, and a micro-USB connector on the left side.
Also, smartphones have a mirrored volume button. On WinJoy - on the upper right, next to the power button of the phone, on WinWin - on the left.
Smartphones support different types of SIM cards: WinWin - miniSIM, in WinJoy - microSIM.
Gadget displays are protected by durable glass with an oleophobic coating and anti-reflective layer. Further specifications are similar. As noted above, the screen size of both devices is 4 inches. Resolution 480x800 pixels, pixel density - 233 PPI.
The TFT-TN matrix used does not provide wide viewing angles (compared to IPS), but still the picture is bright and saturated. The WinWin display supports up to three simultaneous touches, WinJoy - up to two.
Both smartphones are based on Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8212 chipsets - 4 cores with a frequency of 1.2 GHz. Adreno 302 is used as a graphics accelerator. The amount of RAM is 512 MB. If for smartphones on Android such a volume will cause inhibitions when starting a number of programs, then this is not observed on Windows. This is good for Windows Phone 8.1: it practically does not freeze and responds quickly. Of course, far from all applications run on winphones with 512 MB of RAM - however, in this case, unsuitable programs simply do not appear in the Marketplace. For example, Asphalt 8 and other popular games run without problems.
For storing files provides 4 GB of internal memory. Since almost half of this volume is already occupied by system files, the presence of a slot for microSD memory cards is clearly not superfluous.
Both smartphones support two SIM cards. In Windows Phone 8.1, it is very convenient to manage different SIM cards. Each number has its own tile for calls and SMS. The devices operate in 2G cellular networks (GSM / GPRS / EDGE, 850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and 3G (900/2100 MHz). Both slots support 3G, but not simultaneously. If one SIM card has a 3G connection, the second automatically switches to 2G.
From the set of standard wireless modules, we note the presence of GLONASS along with GPS. As you know, two-system navigation has several advantages: communication with satellites is faster and more stable.
Highscreen WinWin and WinJoy are equipped with two cameras. The main one has a resolution of 5 megapixels (+ autofocus and flash), the front one received a resolution of 0.3 megapixels. The quality of the photos is the same for both devices. With good natural light, you can get good shots in the room - how lucky. However, the text in the photo is well recognized - thanks to automatic focusing. Examples of shots taken on Highscreen WinWin: Pictures taken on Highscreen WinJoy:
Highscreen WinWin and WinJoy are compact, well-built smartphones with the latest version of Windows Phone 8.1 on board. These are not flagship devices, but “everyday” models for solving simple ordinary tasks - calls, Internet surfing, time killing for Angry Birds. The low price of smartphones makes these devices attractive in the eyes of students, parents of schoolchildren, and those who have long wanted to try the Microsoft OS, but were afraid to take a chance. Highscreen WinWin and WinJoy can do everything that modern smartphones should be able to do, plus they support two SIM cards and pick up signals from GLONASS satellites - not all budget winphones have this.
First about the price. Highscreen WinJoy, the youngest model in the line, in the official store of the brand costs 3990 rubles, Highscreen WinWin - 4490 rubles. The difference in price is small, it is small in technical specifications. We’ll start with the differences.
Equipment
In addition to the standard “warranty instructions” paper set, the box with Highscreen WinWin has an additional bright yellow back cover. While the main color of the smartphone is black.
Highscreen WinJoy comes without interchangeable rear panels, but the model itself is presented immediately in four color variations: black, white, red and blue.
Headphones are also slightly different: the WinWin headset has rubber pads and a silver button for answering a call, the WinJoy headset looks a bit simpler. Looking ahead, we note that both the headphones are suitable for hands-free conversations, and for better listening to music it is better to choose something more serious.
WinWin comes with a 0.8 A power adapter, with WinJoy - 1 A.
Multimedia speakers
It's simple: Highscreen WinJoy is equipped with only one speaker - conversational, it also serves as a multimedia speaker. Highscreen WinWin has a full-fledged multimedia speaker, on the edges of which there are two small protrusions - so that the sound does not spoil when the smartphone is turned "on the back".
Battery
Both smartphones have removable batteries. WinJoy has a smaller battery - 1700 mAh. WinWin comes with a 2000 mAh battery. But do not be afraid of this, because we are talking about WindowsPhone, not about Android. So, in the average boot mode, the first model can work without recharging for two days, the second - 2.5.
This is where the main differences between smartphones end. We will understand the little things during the review.
Control elements
Despite the fact that both devices weigh the same - 105 grams each, and are equipped with 4-inch screens, WinWin looks a little more than a younger friend. The dimensions of WinWin are 126x64x10.5 mm, the parameters of WinJoy are 122x63x9.9 mm. The difference in the thickness of the screen frames - WinWin they are wider.
The speech speakers are located on top of the front side. Front cameras are located right there. WinWin has it in the right corner, WinJoy has it in the left.
Under the screen is a standard set of touch buttons: “Back”, “Home” and “Search”. Also at the bottom is a microphone, for WinJoy - at the bottom, for WinWin - under the "Search" button.
There are two connectors on the upper edge of VinVin: for a micro-USB cable and for headphones. “VinJoy” has only an audio output of 3.5 mm at the top, and a micro-USB connector on the left side.
Also, smartphones have a mirrored volume button. On WinJoy - on the upper right, next to the power button of the phone, on WinWin - on the left.
Smartphones support different types of SIM cards: WinWin - miniSIM, in WinJoy - microSIM.
Screen
Gadget displays are protected by durable glass with an oleophobic coating and anti-reflective layer. Further specifications are similar. As noted above, the screen size of both devices is 4 inches. Resolution 480x800 pixels, pixel density - 233 PPI.
The TFT-TN matrix used does not provide wide viewing angles (compared to IPS), but still the picture is bright and saturated. The WinWin display supports up to three simultaneous touches, WinJoy - up to two.
Hardware platform
Both smartphones are based on Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8212 chipsets - 4 cores with a frequency of 1.2 GHz. Adreno 302 is used as a graphics accelerator. The amount of RAM is 512 MB. If for smartphones on Android such a volume will cause inhibitions when starting a number of programs, then this is not observed on Windows. This is good for Windows Phone 8.1: it practically does not freeze and responds quickly. Of course, far from all applications run on winphones with 512 MB of RAM - however, in this case, unsuitable programs simply do not appear in the Marketplace. For example, Asphalt 8 and other popular games run without problems.
For storing files provides 4 GB of internal memory. Since almost half of this volume is already occupied by system files, the presence of a slot for microSD memory cards is clearly not superfluous.
Communication
Both smartphones support two SIM cards. In Windows Phone 8.1, it is very convenient to manage different SIM cards. Each number has its own tile for calls and SMS. The devices operate in 2G cellular networks (GSM / GPRS / EDGE, 850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and 3G (900/2100 MHz). Both slots support 3G, but not simultaneously. If one SIM card has a 3G connection, the second automatically switches to 2G.
From the set of standard wireless modules, we note the presence of GLONASS along with GPS. As you know, two-system navigation has several advantages: communication with satellites is faster and more stable.
Camera
Highscreen WinWin and WinJoy are equipped with two cameras. The main one has a resolution of 5 megapixels (+ autofocus and flash), the front one received a resolution of 0.3 megapixels. The quality of the photos is the same for both devices. With good natural light, you can get good shots in the room - how lucky. However, the text in the photo is well recognized - thanks to automatic focusing. Examples of shots taken on Highscreen WinWin: Pictures taken on Highscreen WinJoy:
Conclusion
Highscreen WinWin and WinJoy are compact, well-built smartphones with the latest version of Windows Phone 8.1 on board. These are not flagship devices, but “everyday” models for solving simple ordinary tasks - calls, Internet surfing, time killing for Angry Birds. The low price of smartphones makes these devices attractive in the eyes of students, parents of schoolchildren, and those who have long wanted to try the Microsoft OS, but were afraid to take a chance. Highscreen WinWin and WinJoy can do everything that modern smartphones should be able to do, plus they support two SIM cards and pick up signals from GLONASS satellites - not all budget winphones have this.