The Nokia Lumia 1020 and 920 were flagship Windows Phones, each boasting impressive features for their time. The 1020 was renowned for its groundbreaking camera, while the 920 offered a more rounded feature set. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone still holds up today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 1020 is the clear winner for photography enthusiasts, thanks to its exceptional 41MP PureView camera. However, the Lumia 920 offers wireless charging, a slightly more modern design, and a longer feature list, making it a more versatile choice for general users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - RM-821, RM-820 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-875, RM-877 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-821, RM-820 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-875 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-821 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 17 - RM-877 | 4, 17 - RM-820 (AT&T) |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, July 11. Released 2013, July 22 | 2012, September. Released 2012, 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) | 130.3 x 70.8 x 10.7 mm, 99 cc (5.13 x 2.79 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 158 g (5.57 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~61.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~62.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display | PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus |
| GPU | Adreno 225 | Adreno 225 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM (Telefonica exclusive) | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon & LED flash, panorama | Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash |
| Single | 41 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/1.5", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 4x lossless digital zoom | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.2 MP | 1.3 MP |
| 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, A-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 |
|---|
| Browser | - | No |
| Games | - | No |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) |
| Music play | Up to 63 h | Up to 67 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 384 h (3G) | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 19 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 17 h (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BV-5XW) | Non-removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery (BP-4GW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Yellow, white, black, red (AT&T exclusive) | Black, Gray, Red, Yellow, White |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR | 1.23 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | 1.08 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.76 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) | 0.70 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -78.9dB / Crosstalk -75.0dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 61h
|
Endurance rating 44h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 2.103 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1065:1 (nominal) / 2.107:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB
|
Voice 61dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 65dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -78.9dB / Crosstalk -75.0dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 61h | Endurance rating 44h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 2.103 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1065:1 (nominal) / 2.107:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB | Voice 61dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 65dB |
Nokia Lumia 1020
- Unmatched 41MP camera
- Exceptional image quality
- Lossless zoom
- Excellent battery life (61h)
- Outstanding sunlight readability
- Older design
- Slower performance compared to modern phones
- No wireless charging
- Larger and heavier
Nokia Lumia 920
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- Slightly more modern design
- Good image stabilization
- Decent battery life (44h)
- Better contrast ratio
- Inferior camera compared to 1020
- Slower performance compared to modern phones
- Less impressive battery life than 1020
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 4.5-inch IPS LCD displays with a resolution of 1280 x 768. The Lumia 920 boasts a slightly better contrast ratio (1065:1 vs. Infinite nominal, 2.103 sunlight for 1020), and better outdoor visibility. While both perform well in sunlight, the 920's contrast gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Lumia 1020 truly shines. Its 41MP PureView camera was revolutionary, offering incredible detail and lossless zoom. The Lumia 920's 8.7MP camera is still capable, but it simply can't compete with the 1020's image quality. Both offer excellent image stabilization.
Performance
Both devices share the same Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset and dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. Performance is comparable, adequate for everyday tasks but showing its age by modern standards. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds or seamless multitasking with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Lumia 1020 holds a significant advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 61 hours compared to the Lumia 920's 44 hours. This difference is noticeable in real-world usage, with the 1020 lasting considerably longer on a single charge.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia Lumia 1020? Photography lovers who prioritize image quality above all else. Who should buy the Nokia Lumia 920? Users seeking a well-rounded Windows Phone experience with convenient features like wireless charging and a slightly more contemporary design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia Lumia 1020 still worth buying?
If you're a photography enthusiast and can find one in good condition, the Lumia 1020's camera is still impressive. However, be aware of its age and limitations.
❓ Which Lumia has better performance?
Both phones have similar performance due to the same chipset and CPU. Neither will offer a modern smartphone experience.
❓ Does the Lumia 920 support wireless charging?
Yes, the Lumia 920 supports Qi wireless charging, a feature absent in the Lumia 1020.
