Nokia's Lumia series was renowned for its innovative camera technology and unique Windows Phone experience. The Lumia 1020 and 1520 were flagship devices, but catered to slightly different audiences. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one was the better phone.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 1520 wins overall due to its significantly better battery life, faster processor, larger display, and wireless charging. While the 1020 boasts a legendary camera, the 1520 offers a more well-rounded and modern experience, especially considering its age.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-875, RM-877 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-937, RM-939, RM-940 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-875 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-937 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 17 - RM-877 | 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - RM-938, RM-940 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, July 11. Released 2013, July 22 | 2013, October. Released 2013, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 130.4 x 71.4 x 10.4 mm, 96.9 cc (5.13 x 2.81 x 0.41 in) | 162.8 x 85.4 x 8.7 mm, 120.3 cc (6.41 x 3.36 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 158 g (5.57 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~367 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~61.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 225 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM (Telefonica exclusive) | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon & LED flash, panorama | Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 41 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/1.5", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 20 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.5", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 4x lossless digital zoom | 4K@30fps (after WP8 Denim update), 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.2 MP | 1.2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE/ aptX after WP8 Denim update | 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/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, sensor core |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) |
| Music play | Up to 63 h | Up to 124 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 384 h (3G) | Up to 768 h (2G) / Up to 768 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 19 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 27 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 25 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BV-5XW) | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable (BV-4BW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Yellow, white, black, red (AT&T exclusive) | Yellow, white, black, red, green (AT&T) |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR | 1.23 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.76 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.20 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 61h
|
Endurance rating 107h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 2.103 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1207:1 (nominal) / 1.813:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB
|
Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 74dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 61h | Endurance rating 107h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 2.103 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1207:1 (nominal) / 1.813:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB | Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 74dB |
Nokia Lumia 1020
- Exceptional 41MP camera
- Lossless zoom
- Excellent sunlight readability
- Compact size
- Outdated processor
- Short battery life
- Smaller display
- No wireless charging
Nokia Lumia 1520
- Larger display
- Longer battery life
- Faster processor
- Wireless charging
- More modern design
- Camera not as impressive as 1020
- Larger size may not suit everyone
Display Comparison
The Lumia 1520 features a significantly larger 6-inch Full HD display compared to the 1020's 4.5-inch display. While both offer excellent sunlight readability (1020: 2.103, 1520: 1.813), the 1520's larger size makes it better for media consumption and multitasking. The contrast ratios are respectable on both, though the 1020's 'infinite' nominal ratio is more of a marketing term than a measurable difference.
Camera Comparison
This is where the 1020 shines. Its 41-megapixel PureView camera was revolutionary, offering incredible detail and lossless zoom. While the 1520's 20-megapixel camera is still very capable, it doesn't match the 1020's image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. However, the 1520 benefits from Nokia's image processing algorithms, which have improved over time.
Performance
The Lumia 1520's Snapdragon 800 processor and quad-core Krait 400 CPU provide a noticeable performance boost over the 1020's Snapdragon S4 Plus and dual-core Krait CPU. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and the 1520 handles more demanding tasks with ease. The 1020 can feel sluggish by today's standards.
Battery Life
The Lumia 1520's 3400mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life (107h endurance rating) compared to the 1020's 1800mAh battery (61h endurance rating). This is a crucial advantage for users who rely on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Who should buy Nokia Lumia 1020? Photography enthusiasts who prioritize camera quality above all else and are comfortable with an older device. Who should buy Nokia Lumia 1520? Users seeking a larger screen, longer battery life, and a more powerful processor for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia Lumia 1020 camera really that good?
Yes, the Lumia 1020's camera was groundbreaking for its time, offering exceptional detail and lossless zoom. However, modern smartphone cameras have largely caught up, and image processing has improved significantly.
❓ Which Lumia is better for gaming?
The Lumia 1520 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and larger display. The 1020 can struggle with demanding games.
❓ Are spare parts still available for these phones?
Finding spare parts for both devices can be challenging due to their age. However, some online retailers still offer components, though availability may be limited.
