The Lumia series from Nokia and Microsoft represented a unique era of Windows Phone. The Lumia 1320, a budget-friendly option, and the Lumia 950 XL, a flagship device, both offered the Windows experience, but catered to different users. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is the clear winner. While the Nokia Lumia 1320 boasts impressive battery life, the 950 XL's superior performance, significantly better display, and more advanced camera make it the more compelling choice for modern users, despite its shorter endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - RM-994 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 20 - RM-994 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40 - EMEA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 17 - RM-995 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, October. Released 2014, January | 2015, October. Released 2015, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 85.9 x 9.8 mm, 125 cc (6.46 x 3.38 x 0.39 in) | 151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1 mm (5.98 x 3.09 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~70.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~74.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| | ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8230AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) (3G model)/ MSM8930AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) (LTE model) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 | Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Zeiss optics, triple-LED RGB flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | 20 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, stereo sound rec., 1080p@30/60fps (after SW update) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | - | 1080p@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 | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, sensor core |
| | - | Microsoft Continuum support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 98 h | Up to 75 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 672 h (2G) / Up to 672 h (3G) | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 25 h (2G) / Up to 21 h (3G) | Up to 25 h (2G) / Up to 19 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable (BV-4BW) | Li-Ion 3340 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Yellow, white, black, red | Black, White |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR | 0.47 W/kg (head) 0.29 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.6dB |
Noise -91.6dB / Crosstalk -89.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 75h
|
Endurance rating 62h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1089:1 (nominal), 1.941 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.837 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 66dB
|
Voice 74dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 84dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1472Basemark X: 32178 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.6dB | Noise -91.6dB / Crosstalk -89.3dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 75h | Endurance rating 62h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1089:1 (nominal), 1.941 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.837 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 66dB | Voice 74dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 84dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1472Basemark X: 32178 |
Nokia Lumia 1320
- Exceptional battery life (75h)
- Affordable price point
- Large 6-inch display
- Durable build quality
- Outdated processor
- Lower resolution display
- Basic camera
- Limited app support (due to Windows Phone's decline)
Microsoft Lumia 950 XL
- Powerful Snapdragon 810 processor
- Excellent display with high contrast
- Superior camera performance
- Wireless charging support
- Faster charging (18W)
- Shorter battery life compared to 1320
- Higher price (when new)
- Windows Phone support ended
Display Comparison
The Lumia 950 XL's display is a significant upgrade. Its 'Infinite' contrast ratio (effectively very high) and 3.837 sunlight readability rating far surpass the 1320's 1089:1 contrast and 1.941 sunlight rating. The 950 XL's higher resolution and likely better color accuracy contribute to a much more enjoyable viewing experience. The 1320's display is adequate but noticeably less vibrant and sharp.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the 950 XL's camera hardware and image processing are considerably better. Expect sharper images, better low-light performance, and more detailed videos from the 950 XL. The 1320's camera is functional but lacks the features and image quality of the flagship.
Performance
The 950 XL's Snapdragon 810 with its octa-core processor is vastly more powerful than the 1320's dual-core Snapdragon 400. This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The 950 XL handles demanding tasks and games much better than the 1320.
Battery Life
The Nokia Lumia 1320's standout feature is its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 75 hours. The Lumia 950 XL, with a rating of 62 hours, still offers respectable battery life, but falls short of the 1320's longevity. However, the 950 XL benefits from 18W wired charging and Qi wireless charging (market dependent), offering faster charging options.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 1320 is best suited for users on a very tight budget who prioritize long battery life above all else and don't need high-end performance. The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is ideal for those who want a more premium Windows Phone experience with a better camera, faster processor, and a vibrant display, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is Windows Phone still supported?
No, Microsoft has ended support for Windows Phone. Apps and security updates are no longer provided, so using either device poses security risks.
❓ Which Lumia is better for photography?
The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is significantly better for photography due to its superior camera hardware and image processing capabilities.
❓ Which phone has the best battery life?
The Nokia Lumia 1320 offers significantly longer battery life (75h) compared to the Lumia 950 XL (62h).
