Microsoft Updates Windows Phone Chassis 1 Specs

April 14, 2011 | By Pradeep

New Updated Specs:

Old Specs:

Microsoft’s Itsvan Cseri yesterday revealed the updated Windows Phone hardware specification. There are few changes in the chassis 1 specs, first Microsoft is adding support for gyroscope and secondly the CPU, Qualcomm’s MSM7x30 featuring Adreno 205 GPU is now supported. I’m not sure whether Microsoft still has chassis 2 specs with HVGA screen as part of their hardware specs. Channel 9 has the Cseri’s session video. Watch it for full details.

Via: Mobiletechworld

About Pradeep Viswav

Pradeep was a Microsoft Student Partner when he was pursuing his Computer Science & Engineering degree. He now works for a MNC. He is passionate about technology and loves to share his knowledge with people. People used to mention him as “A Geek who is not Nerd”. He was fascinated by the Metro Design language and Windows Phone which made him to follow and develop applications for it. Follow him at twitter.com/pradeepviswav

Just Visiting

Specs are not my forte…Can someone advise if these processors are 'top of the line' and/or future proof? I realize that technology changes pretty fast, but when these phones hit the shelves, this tech will still be great, right?

Jason

They're nowhere near the top of the line. 1Ghz dual-core processors are what Android and iOS devices are moving to. 800 Mhz single-core processors are already outdated and I hope manufacturers pay close attention to the "or better" part of the spec.

Denis J. Sharkaat

It is completely unnecessary (redundant, even) to compare Android and iOS processors with WP7. Entirely different platforms when it comes to optimizations.
macs

This hardware is over six months old and has already been surpassed by some margin. These are all cortex A8 based single core processors however all chip manufacturers already provide dual core cortex A9 based processors and all new devices in Android, webOS and the new iPhone 5 will be based on that architecture.

For a basis GPU comparison, these new wp7 chassis will be able to do 720p output. The Exynos dual core in the samsung galaxy S II released on May 1st can do three outputs at 1080p. Or 1 in stereoscopic 3D at 1080p at a rate of 60fps. Infact the HDMI 1.3 port is the minimizing factor with an increase to 70fps if you have a hdmi 1.4 port.

While you can argue our device do what we want or they are fast enough is all well and good, but I won't pay premium price for hardware 1 year old. Microsoft need abandon a Qualcomm only scenario and improve the rate of certifying new hardware.

zzz

You are overestimating people's need to carry around their media collection. My wife and I are doing fine with less than 3GB of usage and so are many others I know. 8GB for minimum spec is about right.

Rocco

I do not see where is the problem. If you and your wife only use 3GB you will be fine with 16GB.

The contrary is not true. For users who need 16GB or 32GB, they can do nothing with 8GB only devices.

Fine if you don't need more than 8GB, but not everybody is like you.Please let the choice to everybody. Because of this limitation I was forced to buy a LG, instead of another brand, because it was the sole one in France with more than 8GB.
You know 16GB or 32GB is pretty standard now. I remind you that WP7 is supposed to compete with the iPhone or Android that both have 32GB.
So 8GB is ridiculous.

Jason

8GB is the MINIMUM. Just because you had a hard time finding a phone with more than 8GB doesn't mean the spec needs to change. Phones with more are available and it's up to the manufacturers to build phones with additional memory. Blame the manufacturers, not Microsoft.
zzz

You don't get it. It's the *minimum* spec. By setting it 16GB, me and millions others would be forced to pay for storage space that I don't need. If they set it to 8GB, you are NOT limited 8GB — just buy a model with higher capacity. What you want is to have device makers offer more high capacity models in your region. That's a different story. And the reason they don't make as many as phones with higher capacity is because they are not as big of a deal as you think they are for great many people.

fred

Average users dictate the *minimum* spec not power users. Sorry, but handset makers and carriers would not agree with 16GB.

Eric

Propose a 8GB iPhone and everybody will laugh…

8GB is not average. It's clearly underpowered. Memory costs nothing nowadays.

Just Visiting

Would a 16GB device cost more than a 8GB device? Wasn't the Focus/Surround/HD7 offered at the same price point of $199? I really hope that the OEM's bypass the minimum of 8GB and use 16GB as their minimum for the sake of scalability…

zzz

Those NAND memory are not cheap. In fact, they are a pretty hefty chunk of BOM almost right up there with CPU and display. To get an idea, note that Apple charges $100 extra for their 32GB version over 16GB. So requiring 16GB over 8GB would be effectively increasing the cost (to consumers) by about $50. That's pretty significant. Device makers will KILL for shaving off $2 from their BOM, go ask any phone makers. When you see $199 for both 8GB and 16GB devices, it's a reflection of many factors and decisions by carriers and device makers. They weigh volume vs profit margin, other component cost, etc. Doesn't mean 8GB adds little to the underlying cost.
Just Visiting

Thanks!

Eric

I know many people willing to have more memory (minimum 16 go).

I don't understand your arguments zzz. So, for instance, if YOU do not use the GPS you will then argue that it is not necessary to include the GPS in all WP7 devices? Isn't it a bit selfish?

zzz

Seeing how GPS is integral part of so many killer apps for smartphone, I am fine with making it a requirement. There's no killer app that most people use that requires 16GB of memory.

haikallp

looks like its not longer a requirement for WP7 to have a dedicated camera button or camera flash..these plus the support for 800Mhz processor..i suspect they are catering for the coming Nokia WP7 handsets coming. MS is trying to capture not just the high end market, but the mid range market too..
Matt

They shouldn't drop the camera button and flash, that would be a real shame.
Bobby Cannon

These are minimum requirements for the chassis. This doesn't stop OEMs from doing 256gb or more. Remember this is a MINIMUM spec and not a required spec.
thebigm72

Seems like a problem in your country – HTC HD7 in the UK came with 16GB. I agree keep camera button – does someone have the time in the video where he says they won't? (My connection isn't great right now so didn't watch it all).

It's not necessary for always faster processors. Remember, the faster the processor, the faster you run out of battery. What matters is performance and usability. With good coding, developers can minimise on the resources their apps need meaning you get better battery life whilst maintaining performance, it also means phones can get cheaper. It's more important on Android because it's a "wild west" for software and there's less focus on quality coding in apps.

grenz242

This is really a misconception. Newer processors are usually more energy efficient, and may actually very well give you better battery time.

MarcXW

I think Microsoft doesn't realize that current winodws phones are going to be outdated, hardware-wise, by fall, despite the great performance. Lowering the specs is just going to make WP7 look cheap, not to mention that it MIGHT make it laggy on some devices, of course not as much as Android but still.
And removing the dedicated camera button and the flash is really stupid, it kinda defeats the whole "pocket to picture" without unlocking concept.
efjay

Never demoed my phone for anyone before and they asked me if it had a dual core. All that mattered was the UI, features and the applications. If there is no specific feature that requires a higher spec and the OS runs fine, I dont see a problem.
HG23

I agree that the storage should be increased. Many phones had the bare minimum and since WP7 STILL does not officially support expanded storage, it is fair that the minimum storage requirement should be at least 16 GB. I have a Samsung Focus and only a few songs and pictures yet I have only about 2GB left (no SD card).

Rocco

Exactly. Since WP7 does not support expandable storage the minimum shall be increased to 16GB min.
The problem is that OEM are lazy and will automatically slect the minimum requirements, i.e. 8GB.
The problem is that 8GB is not enough for many users that listen to music, watch videos.
A GPS program with downloaded maps will take approximately 800MB to 1Go.
Also, it is actually less than 8GB becasue there is some "reserved space"

Denis J. Sharkaat

For gods sake, 8GB is something called MINIMUM. Why would they up the minimum to 16GB and increase the price of (all) devices when they are targeting the budget segment as well? No1 stops manufacturers to make 64 or 128GB devices if they see it necessary. There will be a choice, after all.
Pessimistic observer

the MSM8x55 can supposedly run up to 1.4 but on the xperia play
and htc thunderbolt its clocked at 1ghz
the MSM7x30 can supposedly run up to 1ghz but on the
g2 its clocked at 800
both chipsets are single core with an improved gpu
mango probably was started before it became apparante that
dual core was the "hottness" so any dual core support which i'm sure
ms is working on will probably come later
and even though specs dont "matter" that is the same argument blackberry
and nokia used to use last year so specs do "matter" when it comes to bragging rights

macs

Android devices with this type of hardware will become available this summer at just over the $100 mark. Microsoft are going to have a tough sale, selling this hardware at premium prices.

mrtimsmith

Exactly. Hardware specs are to an extent overrated. Windows Phone 7 runs well on less. The only issue I have with the specs is the storage minimum.
Roc

So, why is it so difficult to find any Samsung Omnia 7 with more than 8GB? It's almost impossible to find a Samsung Omnia 7 with 16GB in Europe. And this is bad.

Unfortunately, this proves that if you do not raise the specifications requirements, the manufacturers will tend to stick to the strict minimum required, because they will make more margin. Just a question of money.

IPhone and Android keep on evolving, the specifications will become better and better (it's been a long time you cannot find an iPhone with a pathetic 8GB storage). Therefore, it makes no sense WP7 sticks with 8GB only, except if WP7 is supposed to be for low-end devices and developing countries.
thebigm72

I read on some article that the Adreno 205 has four times the power of Adreno 200?
In any case, I'm sure WP7 follows MS' penchat for dumping as much as possible to the GPU. Given how background tasks are restricted with majority of resources preserved for the app in use, I don't foresee any performance issues coming about.

You're honestly telling me that energy efficiency gains from smaller die sizes outweigh the fact you're running two cores at 1.2GHz compared to a single core at 1GHz?