Windows Phone 7.8 hands-on: cosmetically yours

[ ](http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/02/windows-phone-7-8-hands-on-cosmetically-yours/)

There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth when Microsoft [declared](http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/20/microsoft-unveils-windows-phone-7-8-for-legacy-devices/) that fairly fresh (and costly) Windows Phone 7 devices like the [Nokia Lumia 900](http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/20/visualized-nokia-lumia-900-windows-phone/) would never taste its [latest WP8 wares](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/windows-phone-8-review/). To assuage hurt feelings and keep legacy phone owners within throwing distance of the latest devices like the [Nokia Lumia 920](http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/02/nokia-lumia-920-review/) or [HTC's 8X](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/29/htc-8x-review-windows-phone-8s-compact-flagship/), Redmond introduced [Windows Phone 7.8](http://www.engadget.com/tag/Windows+Phone+7.8/) (version 7.10.8858), which [started arriving](http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/nokia-lumia-620-pricing/) via Zune on January 31st. It was likely hoping that the upgrade would tide legacy owners over until their contracts expired or boredom set in, at which point they'd get a new device packing WP8 -- including not-too-costly models like the $249 (contract-free) [Lumia 620](http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/nokia-lumia-620-hands-on-249-for-windows-phone-8/). So the question is, will the 7.8 bone thrown at WP7 handset owners prevent them from looking at the greener Android or iOS grass across the fence? We've got a Lumia 610 here that was otherwise collecting dust, so head after the break to find out our thoughts.

Filed under: [Cellphones](http://www.engadget.com/category/cellphones/), [Software](http://www.engadget.com/category/software/), [Microsoft](http://www.engadget.com/category/microsoft/)

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URL: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/03/windows-phone-7-8-hands-on-cosmetically-yours/