Whether you're shopping for a new Windows Phone, looking for an upgrade, or just curious how various Windows smartphones stack up against each other, it's always a good idea to check out a wide variety of handsets with the best deals and the best features. Maybe the camera is the most important aspect. Maybe the form factor is a top issue given how you typically transport your phone. If your big interest now is doing video then you'll want top tier video image features and related tech such as advanced mics and the ability to edit on the fly, which means display size, comes into play.

So that's why it's always good to check out as many potentials as you can. Here we take a look at two Nokia Lumia Windows handsets to find out how they stack up against each other and the HTC One M8 for Windows.

Just like snowflakes, smartphones can sometimes tend to look very similar but are actually created very differently and present unique characteristics. The goal, as with any digital device, is to get the most value at the best price and to avoid paying for features and functionalities you don't want or need.

Nokia Lumia 1520

This is a quality smartphone, with one review declaring it "the best Windows Phone device yet." From how it's built-solid-to its great display and imaging capabilities, the Nokia Lumia 1520 isn't a phone to dismiss. While it's a bit of a handful to hold, and its 6-inch display may be a few too many inches for some, it delivers on Windows features that have been long in coming.

There is a 20-megapixel rear camera and multiple mics-a feature many reviewers haven't paid enough respect too. The goal is capturing great sound while rejecting background chatter and noise. But it's the display that will likely grab and keep a consumer's attention.

"It offers vibrant colors for an LCD and has brighter whites than the AMOLED panel on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. In fact, even if we weren't impressed by anything else on the display, we'd still rave about how easy it is to ready in direct sunlight," states a review.

Another review states "it's a great buy for Windows Phone fans seeking a super size smartphone with premium hardware."

HTC One M8

In describing its HTC One M8 Microsoft makes a big point about design - that being sleek doesn't mean being cold or sharp. This smartphone, claims Microsoft, offers soft curves has been crafted to fit perfectly in the palm of a hand. It's also not going to win any big awards for photography greatness (it's hard to access the camera app and when you do it's lacking in editing and quality).

Consider this: The handset's Duo Camera was literally called 'weird' by one reviewer, but yet that same reviewer had this to say about One M8: "When I look at the HTC One M8 for Windows I see an all-around great Windows Phone that shows it can hang tough with Android." Its speakers get high marks as does the robust quad-core processor. Its best feature, notes another review, is its design.

However, if you're more into features and performance it's likely best to keep looking. If a good long battery time is a key ingredient then this handset should be put high on the list. A chart illustrates the M8 battery beats both the iPhone 6 and Samsung's Galaxy S5.

Nokia Lumia 830

In describing the Nokia Lumia 830, Microsoft puts its view in a succinct manner: "not every work of art belongs in a gallery," and the critics apparently agree. The smartphone features 10 MP PureView camera with OIS and Zeiss optics and three mic Rich Recording. Reviews have been mostly on the positive side for one of the last Nokia-pure smartphones though also a bit quirky.

Typically inanimate objects don't get described in animate terms but one reviewer says the Lumia 830 is "affable" and offers an impressive camera. While it offers up a "killer" option for the price, a reviewer believes that when it comes to any Windows smartphone "there's still not quite enough going on with Windows Phone to pull people away from Android or iOS." Offered up as the "affordable flagship" option the Lumia 830 display doesn't hit that flagship sweet spot given its resolution and pixel density.