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HTC 8X vs Nokia Lumia 920: A Windows Phone Legacy

The HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 920 represent a pivotal era for Windows Phone. Both devices offered compelling features and a unique user experience, but which one ultimately delivered a better package? This detailed comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide.
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HTC 8X vs Lumia 920: Windows Phone Showdown

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia Lumia 920 edges out the HTC 8X thanks to its superior camera, wireless charging, and exceptional sunlight readability. While the 8X boasts a slightly more refined design, the Lumia 920’s overall feature set and robust build quality make it the winner.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC Windows Phone 8X CDMA Nokia Lumia 920
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - RM-821, RM-820
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-821, RM-820
4G bands131, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-821
EDGE-No
GPRS-No
SpeedHSPA, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 4, 17 - RM-820 (AT&T)
Launch
Announced2012, November. Released 2012, November2012, September. Released 2012, November
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions132.4 x 66.2 x 10.1 mm (5.21 x 2.61 x 0.40 in)130.3 x 70.8 x 10.7 mm, 99 cc (5.13 x 2.79 x 0.42 in)
SIMMicro-SIMMicro-SIM
Weight132.1 g (4.66 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 2Corning Gorilla Glass 2
Resolution720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~342 ppi density)768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density)
Size4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~58.2% screen-to-body ratio)4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~62.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeS-LCD2IPS LCD
 -PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display
Platform
CPUDual-core 1.5 GHzDual-core 1.5 GHz Krait
Chipset-Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus
GPU-Adreno 225
OSMicrosoft Windows Phone 8Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1
Memory
Call records-Yes
Card slotNoNo
Internal16GB 1GB RAM32GB 1GB RAM
Phonebook-Yes
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashCarl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash
Single8 MP, AF8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", AF, OIS
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single2.1 MP1.3 MP
Video1080p@30fps720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth3.1, A2DP, EDR4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE/ aptX after WP8 Denim update
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
RadioNoFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot
Features
Browser-No
Games-No
Java-No
Messaging-SMS
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-Wireless (Qi)
Music play-Up to 67 h
Stand-byUp to 300 hUp to 400 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 15 hUp to 17 h (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 1800 mAh, non-removableNon-removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery (BP-4GW)
Misc
ColorsCalifornia Blue, Graphite Black, Flame RedBlack, Gray, Red, Yellow, White
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 210 EUR
SAR0.69 W/kg (head)     0.85 W/kg (body)1.08 W/kg (head)     0.91 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.70 W/kg (head)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -78.9dB / Crosstalk -75.0dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 44h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1065:1 (nominal) / 2.107:1 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 61dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 65dB

HTC Windows Phone 8X CDMA

  • Sleek and premium design
  • Slightly faster feel in some tasks
  • Good audio quality
  • Weaker camera compared to Lumia 920
  • Poor sunlight readability
  • No wireless charging

Nokia Lumia 920

  • Excellent camera with OIS
  • Outstanding sunlight readability
  • Wireless charging (Qi)
  • Durable build quality
  • Longer battery life (potentially)
  • Bulkier design
  • Software updates ceased earlier
  • Design less modern than 8X

Display Comparison

The Lumia 920’s 4.5-inch IPS LCD display shines with a remarkable 2.107:1 contrast ratio in sunlight, a significant advantage over the 8X. While both offer a 1065:1 nominal contrast ratio, the Lumia 920’s outdoor visibility is unmatched. The 8X’s display is vibrant but struggles in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

The Lumia 920’s camera is a clear winner. Its 8.7MP sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) delivers significantly better low-light performance and sharper images. The 8X’s 8MP camera is decent but lacks OIS, resulting in blurrier photos in challenging lighting conditions. Video recording is comparable on both.

Performance

Both phones share a dual-core 1.5 GHz processor, but the Lumia 920 utilizes a Krait CPU, generally offering slightly better performance. Real-world usage feels similar, with smooth navigation and app loading on both devices. However, the Lumia 920's chipset might handle demanding tasks marginally better.

Battery Life

Both devices are rated for 44 hours of endurance, but the Lumia 920’s larger battery capacity (2000 mAh vs 1800 mAh in the 8X) likely contributes to slightly better real-world battery life, especially with heavy usage. The Lumia 920 also features wireless charging (Qi), a convenient bonus.

Buying Guide

The HTC 8X is ideal for users prioritizing a sleek, minimalist design and a slightly faster feel in everyday tasks. The Nokia Lumia 920 is best suited for those who value camera performance, wireless charging convenience, and a durable device capable of handling bright outdoor conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better low-light camera performance?
The Nokia Lumia 920's camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) significantly outperforms the HTC 8X in low-light conditions, producing sharper and less noisy images.
❓ Can I wirelessly charge the Nokia Lumia 920?
Yes, the Nokia Lumia 920 supports wireless charging (Qi), a feature absent in the HTC 8X.