Nokia and Microsoft's Windows Phone era produced some impressive devices. The Lumia 925 was a sleek, premium offering, while the Lumia 1030 aimed for a top-tier camera experience. But which phone truly holds up today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 1030 wins overall, primarily due to its significantly superior camera and more modern processor. However, the Lumia 925 boasts a more refined design and was generally more readily available. If camera quality is paramount, the 1030 is the clear choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-892 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-892 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 17 | 2, 4, 5, 17 - RM-893 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2013, May. Released 2013, June |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | - | 129 x 70.6 x 8.5 mm, 78 cc (5.08 x 2.78 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | - | 139 g (4.90 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~63.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display | PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus |
| GPU | - | Adreno 225 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 8.1 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash |
| Single | 20 MP, 1/1.2", AF, OIS | 8 MP, 1/3.0", AF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 4x lossless digital zoom | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 1.3 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@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 after WP8 Denim update |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| 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 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 55 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 440 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 18 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh battery (BV-F4A) | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BL-4YW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Silver | Black, White, Gray |
| Price | - | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.42 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.81 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -82.5dB / Crosstalk -81.2dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.402:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 63dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 66dB
|
Microsoft Lumia 1030
- Exceptional 41MP Camera
- More Powerful Quad-Core Processor
- Larger Display
- Generally Better Battery Life
- Bulky Design
- Limited Software Updates (due to age)
- Difficult to Find (discontinued)
Nokia Lumia 925
- Sleek and Premium Design
- Compact Size
- Good Display
- More Readily Available (than 1030)
- Slower Dual-Core Processor
- Less Impressive Camera
- Smaller Display
- Older Software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature excellent displays for their time, with a reported infinite (nominal) contrast ratio and 3.402:1 sunlight contrast. The Lumia 925 has a 4.3-inch display, while the 1030 has a 5.2-inch display. The 1030's larger size offers more screen real estate, but the 925's smaller size might be preferred for one-handed use.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Lumia 1030 truly shines. It boasts a 41MP PureView camera with advanced imaging capabilities, including excellent low-light performance and detailed photos. The Lumia 925's camera is good, but it simply can't compete with the 1030's resolution and image processing.
Performance
The Lumia 1030's quad-core processor provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Lumia 925's dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus. While both phones run Windows Phone, the 1030 handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. The 925 can feel sluggish by modern standards.
Battery Life
The Lumia 1030 generally has better battery life due to its larger battery capacity. While specific battery sizes are difficult to confirm definitively, user reports consistently indicate the 1030 lasting longer on a single charge.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Microsoft Lumia 1030? Photography enthusiasts seeking a high-end Windows Phone camera. Who should buy the Nokia Lumia 925? Users prioritizing a sleek design and a more compact form factor, and who don't need the absolute best camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lumia 1030 worth buying in 2024?
If you prioritize camera quality and don't mind an older device, the Lumia 1030 can still deliver impressive results. However, be aware of limited software support and difficulty finding one.
❓ Which Lumia is better for everyday use?
The Lumia 925 is generally better for everyday use due to its more compact size and slightly more responsive performance, although the 1030's larger screen is beneficial for media consumption.
