Nokia and Microsoft held a joint press conference on Sept. 5 in New York to officially unveil new Windows Phone 8 devices.

Nokia announced its flagship smartphone known as the Lumia 920, which has received some noticeable upgrades in the specs department. The new Windows Phone 8 device will feature a 1.5 GHz dual core processor, a larger 4.5-inch display and, of course, the brand new Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system. Nokia has also said that the new device will come in "vibrant colors" and features a one-piece polycarbonate body.

"We are super proud of the display on the Lumia 920," said Kevin Shields of Nokia at the press event. "In our opinion this is the fastest LCD display ever shipped on a smartphone."

Shields also added that it is the brightest HD display ever, and includes super sensitive touch that responds to users even when wearing gloves.

Other features to come with the officially unveiled Windows Phone 8 Nokia device include wireless charging and PureView camera technology. The sensor in the Nokia Lumia 920 contains 8.7 megapixels, which is notably less than the 41 megapixels found in the PureView 808.

"The Lumia 920 comes with wireless charging integrated," said Shields. He demonstrated this feature live in front of the audience, and also revealed that the new Windows Phone 8 device will include NFC. This is a feature that was highly rumored before the device's official unveil.

With its new Windows Phone 8 smartphone, Nokia is clearly attempting to bring a stronger presence against the current competition in the mobile landscape. Physical features such as the larger display and the lively color variations liken it to other Android-powered devices such as Samsung's Galaxy S3 and the HTC One X. Nokia's upcoming Windows Phone 8 variant holds up to these flagship phones, which feature LTE connectivity and Qualcomm S4 Snapdragon dual core processors. The Windows Phone 8 release from Nokia also boasts a stronger battery than its HTC and Samsung counterparts, according to The Verge.

The Lumia 920 not only provides competition for these high-end devices, but marks a major step for both Microsoft and Nokia in the mobile industry. The new line of Windows Phone 8 devices in development showcase Microsoft's attempt to essentially step up its game and gain a better grasp on the mobile element of its brand. This is just before Apple is expected to unveil its next-generation iPhone 5 on Sept 12.

"Windows Phone 8 and the new Lumia 920 were developed side-by-side with the goal of building a better smartphone experience," said Joe Belfiore of Microsoft at the event.

Comparing the specs of the Lumia 920 to the current generation iPhone 4S, the Windows Phone 8 device wins, especially in terms of LTE capabilities and a stronger display. However, Microsoft and Nokia are sure to face some stiff competition as Apple releases its iPhone 5 in the coming weeks, allegedly, which is expected to get a major boost in the specs department and a gorgeous 4-inch OLED display.

Be sure to check back for more news and updates on Windows Phone 8 as Microsoft and Nokia unveil more information.

Iphone Microsoft Smartphone Samsung