Key Difference: Windows Phone 7.8 is an upgrade on the Windows Phone 7 OS series and available on Windows Phone 7.5. The Windows Phone 7.8 upgrade was released as Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 is unable to upgrade to the Windows 8. Windows Phone 8 is the second generation operating system for the Microsoft’s Windows Phone series. The 8 system uses the same Metro UI as its predecessors. Windows 8 system does not work on Windows 7 architecture.

Windows Phone 7.8 and Window Phone 8 are two different mobile operating systems by Microsoft. Windows Phone 7.8 was released after the Windows Phone 8 and was an attempt by the company to provide certain Windows 8 features for the Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 users, as these users would not be able to upgrade their systems to Windows Phone 8. However, the company only incorporated some of the many features that are available to the Windows Phone 8 users. For many non-tech users of Windows Phones, it has been a pretty confusing ride, with the company constantly discontinuing compatibility with older models and requiring users to purchase a completely new phone for an OS update. Then came Windows Phone 7.8, which provides a similar layout on Windows Phone 7 that is available on Windows Phone 8. This is caused a lot of confusion in many non-techie people.

Windows Phone 7.8 is an upgrade on the Windows Phone 7 OS series and available on Windows Phone 7.5. The Windows Phone 7.8 upgrade was released as Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 is unable to upgrade to the Windows 8. Windows Phone 7.8 aims at bridging the gap between 7.8 and 8. The company offers certain features of Windows 8 for users that are running phones with Windows 7.5 or 7. The company announced that all Windows Phone 7 users would be receiving the upgrade to 7.8 for free.

Windows 7.8 offers features such as:

• New start screen with customizable live tiles
• New logo for basic applications
• New splash screen, with the Windows 8 logo
• Improved lockscreen, with the ability to apply dynamic wallpapers  and third-party applications
• Volume control problems solved
• Data consumption issues resolved
• 20 accent colors
• Enabled Tethering Wi-Fi

Windows Phone 8 is the second generation operating system for the Microsoft’s Windows Phone series. The Windows Phone 8 was announced earlier in 2012 and was also slated for release later in the same year. The operating system uses the same Metro UI as its predecessors. Windows 8 system does not work on Windows 7 architecture, which means Windows Phone 7 users would not be able to upgrade to Windows 8. However, the system is backward compatible with the Windows 7 apps. The only way to get a Windows Phone 8 would be to buy a new phone. This is mainly due to the company scrapping the Windows CE-based architecture in favor of the Windows NT kernel that is found on many Windows 8 components, making it easier for developers to port components between the two platforms. Windows Phone 8 works with larger screens and multi-core processors, NFC, improved support for removable storage, redesigned home screen that allows resizing tiles according to importance, new Wallet Hub, Kid’s Corner. Windows 8 also incorporates features that are aimed at the enterprise market. Windows 8 will also support over-the-air updates. A list of all the latest features can be found on the company’s website.

Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8 are similar and different as Windows 7.8 is an upgrade that offers many of the Windows 8 features to the Windows 7 users. However, Windows 7.8 does not offer all of the features and lacks many features such as over-the-air updates, Secure Boot and Encryption, Internet Explorer 10, Support for screen resolutions higher than WVGA, Multi-core processor support, NFC, real multitasking, windows Phone Wallet, Kid’s Corner, MicroSD card support, Company Hub and Device management.

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