[dfaris]

Hello,

Since Microsoft is abandoning its phones I'm looking at the Samsung S8 as a replacement. I'm looking for advice about the phone and switching.

Does the phone come with Dual Sims? I have two numbers on my current MS 950. Will I be able to do the same with the S8? If not is there a dual sim phone I can get?

Can you delete most of the bloatware that comes with the phone?

Can I setup a google account using my outlook email? If not can I set the phone up to use my outlook contacts and email and calendar as the defaults?

How is the security with the phone? I have always heard android is the least secure OS.

I know Microsoft made office work on android but is office integrated on android as well as on the microsoft phone? Will I be able to get my work done on android?

For anyone that came over from windows phone how did you find the change? I saw that there is some way to make android have tiles like the windows phone how do you find that working?

Any other advice you care to offer would be great.

Thank you

Dave

[Wbutchart]

Hi welcome, many WP refugees here. The s8 is a great phone, I would say the best out just now.

I know there are dual sim versions of it, mines is single sim in UK, but they do exist. Not sure where you would source it from.

The phone is pretty secure, gets regular security updates and comes with free mcfee security as well. I wouldn't be too worried, just don't download outside of the play store.

It syncs really well with the windows ecosystem. Can add your account and have everything come across quite easily.

Also with Microsoft launcher (like a skin on top of android) it integrates right into your windows life. It is the best alternative to WP and I would say maybe better than WP due to the other advantages (apps etc).

[dfaris]

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to get the S8 or the new LG V30 but I think they will work fine if I ever get use to the new GUI.

[mary beth hale]

https://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...e-convert.html
https://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...-new-post.html
Hi and welcome.
You might want to take a look at these threads as well.
Wbutchart1 is right...Windows Phone refugees all over this site. some of us still use it.
I don't think you can make a bad decision with either of the phones you're considering.
I've been in and out of WP for past 2 years so I had a gradual transition. Still...a learning curve.
Whatever you pick, hope you really enjoy it.

[dfaris]

Thanks Mary Beth,

I'm going to check out the microsoft launcher and put all the MS apps I use on the new phone when I get it.

[mary beth hale]

Thanks Mary Beth,

I'm going to check out the microsoft launcher and put all the MS apps I use on the new phone when I get it.

Just a heads-up... Cortana on Android does not hold a candle to the way she worked on WP. Not horrific but has issues. Tried the Android app about 6 months ago and uninstalled it. Have been trying it again since September update. Better. Not there yet, though. Keep hoping for another update. Enjoy your new phone!

[dfaris]

Oh I love cortana that is sad that it is not up to speed. Do you know if they are working on it or is it some kind of limitation on android?

When I get the new phone can I pull my SD card out of the windows phone or will I have to reformat it for it to work? Just trying to figure out if I need to copy everything on the SD card to my computer first then copy it back to the SD card.

[mary beth hale]

I do love the way I can receive and respond to text messages on my laptop with Cortana. I really hope Microsoft continues to update the Android app. Some days Cortana is so frustrating that I have to fight not to re-enable OK Google.
Re: SD card... You should just be able to plug it in but probably not a bad idea to copy contents to your computer.

[anon(7901790)]

@dfaris

Welcome to the dark side....errr I mean Android. Yes there are several of us former WP users here. Many of us decided to go back to Android (people like me) or are first time jumpers. There are probably even a few who jumped from Windows to iOS then to Android.

Depending on your carrier and whether or not you have an unlocked phone will depend on bloatware. I have the Verizon version which means I'm SIM unlocked and I have the Verizon apps pre-installed. Some I can remove, some I can't. But, because Verizon phones are SIM unlocked, I can swap SIM cards without having to ask Verizon to unlock it.

I had a Google account previously, so I'm not sure. I still use my Outlook account as my primary account though. I only use Google's mail app for my company email. I use my Google account for Google Voice, which comes in handy when I'm travelling overseas.

The S8/S8+ is dual SIM capable. You can order a dual SIM tray through Amazon. To my knowledge, you can't use dual SIMs and a microSD card simultaneously though.

The Microsoft apps are excellent. I use Outlook, Office Lens, and OneDrive on a daily basis; Skype works really well too.

Having been an Android user before switching to Microsoft, it wasn't that hard for me to switch back. I already had a Google account and since Microsoft has really improved its Android apps, it made the switch that much easier.

The only thing I truly miss is the Cortana integration. Cortana is still the best digital assistant.

[dfaris]

Thanks for the input. This is helpful stuff. I'm still reading up on everything to get an idea of what I will need like what browser or launcher to use.

[mary beth hale]

Thanks for the input. This is helpful stuff. I'm still reading up on everything to get an idea of what I will need like what browser or launcher to use.

I answered your questions about pinning contacts and replying to pop-up messages in the other thread you posted to. (Windows Phone convert)