Huawei Ascend W1 review

Who's ready for a cheap Windows Phone 8 thrill?

Reviews
By published
Huawei Ascend W1
The first of the budget Windows Phone 8 handsets

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Huawei Ascend W1 review

Huawei Ascend W1 review

Huawei Ascend W1 review

Huawei Ascend W1 review

Huawei Ascend W1 review

John McCann
John McCann
Former Global Managing Editor

TechRadar's former Global Managing Editor, John has been a technology journalist for more than a decade, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He’s interviewed CEOs from some of the world’s biggest tech firms, visited their HQs, and appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC, and BBC Radio 4.

Latest in Huawei Phones
Holding the Huawei Mate XT in-hand
I thought the tri-folding Huawei Mate XT was a gimmick, but then I held it
The Huawei Mate X6 on a pink background
The Huawei Mate X6 looks like a huge step forward for foldable phone photography, and I’m annoyed that I probably won’t be able to get one
The Huawei Mate XT and PS5 Pro side-by-side
Huawei's tri-fold phone is so expensive you could buy four PS5 Pros for the same price
Huawei Mate XT
Huawei posts the first official image of the tri-fold Mate XT, and reveals storage options
Samsung's tri-folding display technology unveiled at the SID Display Week 2021 online event
Huawei finally confirms the name of its tri-fold smartphone in new teaser video
Samsung's tri-folding display technology unveiled at the SID Display Week 2021 online event
Huawei sets the date for its tri-foldable phone launch, with a 10-inch display and high price rumored
Latest in Reviews
WWE 2K25
I've spent days in the ring with WWE 2K25, and it's like a five-star match ruined by the Million Dollar Man
Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro electric toothbrush
Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro review: A powerful seven-mode, Swiss-made sonic brush
Atelier Yumia
I was already sold on Atelier Yumia as an RPG, but I wasn’t expecting it to have my favorite crafting system in all of gaming
Alienware 27 AW2725Q monitor on desk displaying a scene from Cyberpunk 2077
I played games with Alienware's new 27-inch 4K OLED monitor and now I don't want to see another LCD panel
PLAUD NOTE
I tested this AI voice recorder, and now I'll never take meeting notes manually again
SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4
Testing the new SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 SSD proved both challenging and revealing
Anker Charger 140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1 on block against pink background

This powerful phone charger has been making faces at me, but I kinda love it
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD in gray on magenta pink background with price cut text on it

This spacious 2TB Samsung Portable SSD drops to its lowest price in over a year
AOHI Future Starship power bank leaning on plinth, on desk with pink background

I tried the AOHI Future Starship, and while it charges laptops with ease, it’s likely not worth the price for many

See more latest
Most Popular
Anker Charger 140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1 on block against pink background
This powerful phone charger has been making faces at me, but I kinda love it
AOHI Future Starship power bank leaning on plinth, on desk with pink background
I tried the AOHI Future Starship, and while it charges laptops with ease, it’s likely not worth the price for many
VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank leaning on plinth on desk with pink background
The VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank is one of the most stylish batteries I’ve seen, but it’s too slow for the price
VRURC T6S power bank leaning on plinth on desk with pink background
I tested the VRURC T6S power bank for several days – and I was pleasantly surprised by this clever feature
Horipad Turbo
The Horipad Turbo might not be the feature-rich Nintendo Switch controller of your dreams, but it’s still a worthwhile budget pick
SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4
Testing the new SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 SSD proved both challenging and revealing
From left to right, there's a MacBook Air and XPPen drawing display with accessories. There's some brightly coloured artwork on the display that reads "Spicy".
This impressive 4K drawing display I reviewed was so natural to draw on, I may never use paper again
Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank leaning on plinth on desk with pink background
I wouldn't take the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank on extreme adventures, but it's great for my basic traveling needs
Cuktech 15 Ultra leaning on plinth on table with pink background
I like the fast charging and detailed display of the Cuktech 15 Ultra, but it doesn’t have quite enough capacity to last
PLAUD NOTE
I tested this AI voice recorder, and now I'll never take meeting notes manually again