Nokia's Lumia series was a force to be reckoned with, offering unique features and a distinct Windows Phone experience. Two standout models, the Lumia 1020 and the Lumia 930, presented different strengths. This comparison dives deep into their specs and capabilities to help you decide which phone was the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 1020 is the undisputed camera champion, boasting a groundbreaking 41MP sensor. However, the Lumia 930 offers significantly better performance thanks to its Snapdragon 800 chipset and a more modern processor. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities: photography or speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-875, RM-877 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-875 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| 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 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, July 11. Released 2013, July 22 | 2014, April. Released 2014, July |
| 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) | 137 x 71 x 9.8 mm, 94.7 cc (5.39 x 2.80 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 158 g (5.57 oz) | 167 g (5.89 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~61.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | 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 8.1, upgradable to Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM (Telefonica exclusive) | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon & LED flash, panorama | Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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", 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 |
| 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, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, sensor core |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 63 h | Up to 75 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 384 h (3G) | Up to 432 h |
| Talk time | Up to 19 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 15 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BV-5XW) | Li-Ion 2420 mAh, non-removable (BV-5QW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Yellow, white, black, red (AT&T exclusive) | Bright orange, bright green, white, black, gold |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 370 EUR |
| SAR | 1.23 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.76 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.4dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 61h
| Endurance rating 46h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 2.103 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.567 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB
|
Voice 76dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 77dB |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -91.4dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 61h | Endurance rating 46h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 2.103 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.567 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB | Voice 76dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 77dB |
Nokia Lumia 1020
- Unmatched 41MP camera
- Exceptional image detail
- Lossless zoom
- Excellent battery life (61h)
- Outstanding sunlight readability (2.103)
- Older processor (Snapdragon S4 Plus)
- Slower performance
- No wireless charging
- Larger and heavier design
Nokia Lumia 930
- Faster performance (Snapdragon 800)
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- Slightly better sunlight readability (3.567)
- More modern design
- Smoother user experience
- Weaker camera compared to 1020
- Shorter battery life (46h)
- Less impressive zoom capabilities
Display Comparison
Both Lumias feature OLED displays with excellent contrast ratios (Infinite nominal). The Lumia 930 edges out the 1020 with a slightly better sunlight readability score (3.567 vs 2.103), suggesting a marginally brighter and more visible screen outdoors. Resolution is similar, but the 930's slightly more modern panel might offer better color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Lumia 1020 truly shines. Its 41MP PureView camera was revolutionary, offering incredible detail and lossless zoom. While the Lumia 930's camera is still capable, it's a more standard 20MP sensor. The 1020's oversampling technology and Nokia's image processing algorithms produced exceptional results, especially in well-lit conditions.
Performance
The Lumia 930's Snapdragon 800 chipset and quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 processor provide a noticeable performance boost over the 1020's Snapdragon S4 Plus and dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the 930.
Battery Life
The Lumia 1020 holds a significant advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 61 hours compared to the 930's 46 hours. This difference is likely due to the 1020's larger battery capacity and less demanding processor.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 1020 is ideal for photography enthusiasts who prioritize image quality above all else and don't mind a slightly older processor. The Nokia Lumia 930 is a better choice for users who value performance, a smoother user experience, and wireless charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lumia 1020's camera really that good?
Yes, the Lumia 1020's 41MP PureView camera was groundbreaking for its time, offering incredible detail and lossless zoom capabilities that are still impressive today.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Lumia 930 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 800 processor and quad-core CPU.
❓ Can I wirelessly charge the Lumia 1020?
No, the Lumia 1020 does not support wireless charging. The Lumia 930, depending on the market, did offer wireless charging (Qi).
