The Lumia 920, according to Nokia, represents improvements from all the shortfalls found on previous Nokia handsets, potentially making the new Windows smartphone an inviting prospect for consumers planning to indulge on new tech toys come the holiday season.

Windows Phone 8 is the main engine running the high-end Lumia and Nokia has ensured that this latest Microsoft mobile OS is paired with hardware specs that would measure up to the demands of tech experts, who in many cases speak up for the general consumers.

Following the dismal reception garnered by earlier Lumia models, is it a good idea this time to give up some cold cash for the 920?

Early reviews suggest so. The Lumia 920, CNET said, lets users experience the new world that is the WP8, declaring "it's the best way to experience the new operating system."

The tech site was obviously impressed with the Lumia 920's "stunning screen, smart design and some great included apps," with some reservations on the latter, noting that Windows apps are likely to disappoint users who have been pampered by the hundreds of thousands of choices in the Apple and Android world.

"Windows Phone isn't for you if you like apps though, and the 920's battery life is less than impressive," CNET said in cautioning those who may be expecting that versions of their favourite apps would be automatically on the nascent Windows ecosystem.

But for those who feel that smartphones are better enjoyed in real-world experiences, then the Lumia 920's PureView camera technology, with its 8MP sensor, fits the bill, Engadget said on its review.

PureView, according to Engadget, "delivers superb low-light performance and effective optical stabilization across stills and video," which Nokia has deployed with "screen hardware ... besting the outdoor visibility of the Lumia 900 and adding colour and contrast tweaks from a new ambient light sensor."

The 920 shell looks chunkier than should be but its colourful polycarbonate housing is sturdy, attractive and easy to handle, elevating the handset as a likely accessory that Aussies would proudly lug along while engaging on their outdoor activities, the popular tech site added.

The WP8, however, has a gaping hole that Microsoft needs to plug as soon as possible but attracting developers to author for apps for the system, Engadget said, in apparent agreement with CNET's gripes.

But The Inquirer lauded Nokia for crafting "yet another gorgeous looking handset ... that will turn heads ... (with a) camera (that) is one of the best we've ever used."

It may not be the perfect smartphone at the moment, but the Lumia 920 is attractive enough and worth trying, The Inquirer declared.

And for Aussies, this sort of pull by the new Nokia handset was recently bumped up by Telstra's decision to pick up the Windows phone for inclusion on its array of service packages that pushed the cost of getting a unit to as low as $60 for two-year lock-in period.

Higher voice and date plans on the Lumia 920 offering would allow consumers to get the phone for free but of course with monthly subscription fees that are consumable, Telstra said.

That in effect settles the case for buyers in Australia, who in fact can lay their hands on Nokia 920 without busting their cash reserves come late November, which Telstra has set as the local roll out period for the new Windows phone.