The Microsoft Lumia 1030 and 1330 represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. While both devices carry the Lumia branding, their internal architectures diverge significantly, with the 1030 featuring a generic quad-core processor and the 1330 utilizing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 400. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which device delivers the best user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a more modern chipset, the Lumia 1330 emerges as the better choice. The Snapdragon 400, despite its dual-core configuration, benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized architecture, offering a smoother experience than the 1030’s unspecified quad-core processor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 3, 7, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 17 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | Not announced yet |
| Status | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | - | - |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | - | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~258 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~63.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8930AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 8.1 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | To be confirmed |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, 1/1.2", AF, OIS | 14 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 4x lossless digital zoom | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh battery (BV-F4A) | Li-Ion, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Silver | Yellow, white, black, red |
Microsoft Lumia 1030
- Potentially lower cost due to simpler chipset.
- Quad-core processor may offer theoretical multi-tasking benefits.
- May be lighter due to simpler internal components.
- Less efficient processor leading to shorter battery life.
- Likely slower performance due to less optimized architecture.
- Inferior image processing capabilities.
Microsoft Lumia 1330
- More efficient Snapdragon 400 chipset.
- Better overall performance due to optimized Krait 300 cores.
- Improved image processing with Qualcomm ISP.
- Potentially better gaming experience due to Adreno 305 GPU.
- Dual-core processor may struggle with extremely demanding tasks.
- Potentially higher cost than the Lumia 1030.
- May be slightly heavier due to more complex chipset.
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are absent from the provided data. However, given the market positioning of both devices, it’s reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels. The 1330’s Snapdragon 400 chipset includes an Adreno 305 GPU, which would have been paired with a display resolution likely around 720p, offering adequate clarity for the screen size. The 1030’s display quality is unknown, but its quad-core processor suggests a similar target resolution.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not provided for either device. However, given the era and market segment, it’s likely both feature basic camera setups. The Snapdragon 400 in the 1330 includes an ISP (Image Signal Processor) that provides better image processing capabilities than a generic processor in the 1030, potentially resulting in slightly better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Without further details, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement, but the 1330 has a processing advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The Lumia 1330’s Qualcomm MSM8930AB Snapdragon 400, built on a 28nm process, features a dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 architecture. This architecture, while having fewer cores than the Lumia 1030’s quad-core processor, is significantly more efficient and powerful per core. The Krait 300 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimizations, resulting in better multitasking and application responsiveness. The 1030’s quad-core processor, lacking specific architectural details, likely relies on ARM’s Cortex-A series, potentially offering raw processing power but lacking the efficiency and optimization of the Snapdragon 400. This translates to potentially more lag and slower app loading times on the 1030.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Snapdragon 400’s 28nm process node is more power-efficient than the likely larger process node used for the 1030’s processor. This means the Lumia 1330 will likely achieve comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a similar battery capacity. Charging wattage is also unknown, but the Snapdragon 400’s power management features could contribute to faster charging times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 1030 if you need a device for extremely basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and are on a very tight budget. Buy the Microsoft Lumia 1330 if you prefer a more responsive experience for everyday tasks, occasional gaming, and appreciate the benefits of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform, even at the mid-range level.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lumia 1330 handle basic games like Angry Birds or Candy Crush Saga smoothly?
Yes, the Adreno 305 GPU integrated within the Snapdragon 400 is more than capable of handling casual games like Angry Birds and Candy Crush Saga without significant lag. The optimized architecture of the Snapdragon 400 will provide a smoother gaming experience compared to the Lumia 1030.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 400 in the Lumia 1330 sufficient for multitasking between several apps?
While not a powerhouse, the Snapdragon 400’s Krait 300 cores and efficient architecture allow for reasonable multitasking. You should be able to switch between several apps like messaging, web browsing, and music playback without experiencing significant slowdowns. However, running multiple demanding apps simultaneously may cause performance issues.
❓ Does the Lumia 1030’s quad-core processor offer any advantage over the Lumia 1330’s dual-core Snapdragon 400 in real-world usage?
In most real-world scenarios, the Lumia 1330’s Snapdragon 400 will outperform the Lumia 1030’s quad-core processor. The Snapdragon 400’s optimized architecture and efficient cores provide a smoother and more responsive experience, even with fewer cores. Raw core count doesn’t always translate to better performance.
