The Microsoft Lumia 430 Dual SIM and the Nokia Lumia 520 represent two points in the evolution of affordable Windows Phone devices. While both aimed for the budget-conscious consumer, they differed in their internal hardware and target use cases. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value today, considering their age and the limited app ecosystem.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users seeking a marginally more responsive experience and the convenience of dual SIM functionality, the Microsoft Lumia 430 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 200, despite a slightly higher clock speed, offers a small performance edge. However, both phones deliver comparable battery life, making the 430's advantage subtle.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - RM-914 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-917 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, May | 2013, February. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 120.5 x 63.2 x 10.6 mm (4.74 x 2.49 x 0.42 in) | 119.9 x 64 x 9.9 mm, 75.7 cc (4.72 x 2.52 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 127.9 g (4.52 oz) | 124 g (4.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~235 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.8 cm2 (~58.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Dual-core 1.0 GHz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8227 |
| GPU | Adreno 302 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 512MB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0" | 5 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| Video | 480p | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, LE/ aptX after WP8 Denim update |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM Radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 47 h | Up to 61 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 720 h (2G) / Up to 720 h (3G) | Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 8 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 14 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 9 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1430 mAh, removable (BL-5J) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange | Yellow, red, cyan, white/black |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -82.3dB / Crosstalk -81.8dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 49h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 834:1 (nominal) / 1.161:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 66dB
|
Microsoft Lumia 430 Dual SIM
- Dual SIM functionality for added convenience.
- Slightly faster processor for marginally improved responsiveness.
- Potentially better power efficiency due to 28nm process.
- Limited app ecosystem due to the decline of Windows Phone.
- Aging hardware may struggle with modern web browsing.
Nokia Lumia 520
- Proven reliability within the Windows Phone community.
- Excellent battery life (49h endurance rating).
- Simple and user-friendly interface.
- Single SIM functionality.
- Slower processor compared to the Lumia 430.
Display Comparison
Both the Lumia 430 and 520 share the same display characteristics, boasting a contrast ratio of 834:1 (nominal) and 1.161:1 in sunlight. This suggests a similar viewing experience in various lighting conditions. However, specific details like screen size, resolution, and panel type (IPS vs TFT) are missing, implying both devices utilized standard LCD technology common in this price segment. The identical contrast ratios indicate a comparable level of black depth and color vibrancy.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are equipped with basic photo and video capabilities, but specific camera sensor details are absent. Given their budget nature, image quality is expected to be limited, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device further restricts their photographic potential. Without further specifications, it's difficult to definitively say which camera performs better; they likely offer similar results.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lumia 430 utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon 200 with a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, while the Lumia 520 features the Qualcomm MSM8227 with a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. While the clock speed is higher on the 430, the MSM8210 is fabricated on a 28nm process, potentially offering slightly improved power efficiency compared to the MSM8227. This translates to a marginal performance boost for the 430 in everyday tasks, but neither phone is designed for demanding applications. The limited RAM (likely 512MB or 1GB in both) will be a significant bottleneck for multitasking.
Battery Life
Remarkably, both the Lumia 430 and 520 achieve an endurance rating of 49 hours. This suggests similar battery capacity and power management efficiency. While the Snapdragon 200 in the 430 might consume slightly more power due to its higher clock speed, the optimization of the software and the battery capacity likely compensate for this difference. Charging times are unknown, but both would likely utilize micro-USB and offer relatively slow charging speeds by modern standards.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 430 Dual SIM if you need the flexibility of running two SIM cards simultaneously, or if you anticipate needing a slightly more responsive user interface for basic tasks. Buy the Nokia Lumia 520 if you prioritize a proven track record of reliability within the Windows Phone ecosystem and are content with a single SIM setup. Both are best suited for users who primarily need a device for calls, texts, and basic app usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will I be able to find apps I need on either of these phones?
The Windows Phone app ecosystem is severely limited due to Microsoft's discontinuation of support. While basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp were available, many modern apps are not compatible. Expect to rely on web-based versions of services or find alternative apps.
❓ Is the dual SIM functionality on the Lumia 430 useful in 2024?
For travelers or individuals who need to separate work and personal calls, the dual SIM capability remains valuable. However, the limited data speeds and app availability may restrict its usefulness for data-intensive tasks on either SIM.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 200 compare to the MSM8227 in real-world usage?
The Snapdragon 200 offers a modest performance improvement over the MSM8227, primarily noticeable in slightly faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. However, both chips are entry-level and will struggle with demanding applications or heavy multitasking.
