Eyeing a Windows Phone 8 handset? Check how they physically stack up to each other

Internal specifications will only get you so far. Let’s be honest, how a device feels in your hand and pocket are key components to happiness with your smartphone. Too bulky or sharp or heavy  and it can be a drag to take with you, no matter how well it performs.

As we enter into the third generation of Windows Phone devices, the crop has happily left behind the awkward lines of its predecessors; the new devices look  good. However, there is considerable variance in size, both external and screen, not to mention heft. Let’s take a look.

The good gents over at WP7.nl put together [Dutch] a side-by-side comparison of the announced set of Windows Phone 8 devices, along with to-scale shots of the Lumia 900 and 800, Nokia’s first Windows Phone handsets, for reference. Enjoy:

The original report included detailed hardware figures for each device, which WMPowerUser happily formatted into something readable for us more accustomed to US nomenclature. We modified it further.

Key: Thickness (mm) / Width (mm) / Height (mm) / Screen size / weight.

• Samsung ATIV S: 8.7 / 70.5 / 137.2 / 4.8 inch 720 x 1280 / 135 grams
• Nokia Lumia 920: 10.7 / 70.8 / 130.3 / 4.5 inch 768 x 1280 / 185 grams
• Nokia Lumia 820: 9.9 / 68.5 / 123.8 / 4.3 inch 480 x 800 / 160 grams
• Nokia Lumia 900: 11.5 / 68.5 / 127.8 / 4.3 inch 480 x 800 / 160 grams
• Nokia Lumia 800: 12.1 / 61.2 / 11.6 / 3.8 inch 480 x 800 / 142 grams
• HTC WP8X: 10.1 / 66.2 / 132.3 / 4.3 inch 720 x 1280 / 130 grams
• HTC WP8S: 10.3 / 63.0 / 120.5 / 4.0 inch 480 x 800 / 113 grams

Looks like the Lumia 920 could use a diet. Which handset are you going to pick up?