Nokia's Lumia series offered a unique take on the smartphone experience with Windows Phone. The Lumia 1320 and 1520 were two popular models, but catered to different users. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide which one was the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia Lumia 1520 is the clear winner. Its superior Snapdragon 800 chipset, larger and slightly better display, and significantly improved camera offer a more premium and powerful experience compared to the Lumia 1320, despite both offering impressive battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - RM-994 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-937, RM-939, RM-940 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 20 - RM-994 | 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-995 | 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - RM-938, RM-940 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, October. Released 2014, January | 2013, October. Released 2013, 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) | 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 | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~367 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~70.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8230AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) (3G model)/ MSM8930AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) (LTE model) | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | 20 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.5", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps (after WP8 Denim update), 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 1.2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | - | 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 | No | Yes |
| Positioning | 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, sensor core |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) |
| Music play | Up to 98 h | Up to 124 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 672 h (2G) / Up to 672 h (3G) | Up to 768 h (2G) / Up to 768 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 25 h (2G) / Up to 21 h (3G) | Up to 27 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 25 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable (BV-4BW) | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable (BV-4BW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Yellow, white, black, red | Yellow, white, black, red, green (AT&T) |
| 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) | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.20 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.6dB |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 75h
|
Endurance rating 107h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1089:1 (nominal), 1.941 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1207:1 (nominal) / 1.813:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 66dB
|
Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 74dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.6dB | Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 75h | Endurance rating 107h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1089:1 (nominal), 1.941 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1207:1 (nominal) / 1.813:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 66dB | Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 74dB |
Nokia Lumia 1320
- Excellent battery life
- Large 5.5-inch display
- Affordable price
- Durable build quality
- Slower processor
- Less impressive camera
- Outdated software
- Lower screen resolution compared to 1520
Nokia Lumia 1520
- Powerful Snapdragon 800 processor
- Superior camera with 41MP sensor
- Larger 6-inch display
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- Better overall performance
- Higher price point (when new)
- Larger size may be unwieldy for some
- Software is outdated
Display Comparison
Both Lumias feature vibrant displays, but the 1520's is larger (6-inch vs 5.5-inch) and boasts a slightly better contrast ratio (1207:1 vs 1089:1 nominal). Sunlight readability is comparable, with the 1520 having a marginally better rating (1.813 vs 1.941). The 1520's larger size also makes it better for multitasking.
Camera Comparison
The Lumia 1520's camera is a major upgrade. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the 1520 features a 41MP sensor (compared to the 1320's likely 8-10MP - exact specs are unavailable), allowing for incredible detail and image quality. Low-light performance is also noticeably better on the 1520.
Performance
The Lumia 1520's Snapdragon 800 chipset and quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 CPU provide a substantial performance boost over the 1320's Snapdragon 400 and dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and gaming performance is significantly improved on the 1520.
Battery Life
Both phones offer exceptional battery life, with endurance ratings of 75h and 107h respectively. The 1520's larger battery (3400mAh vs 3400mAh - likely a slight difference in capacity) contributes to its longer endurance rating, making it the winner in this category.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 1320 is a good choice for budget-conscious users who prioritize long battery life and a large screen for media consumption. The Lumia 1520 is ideal for users who want a faster processor, a better camera, and a more premium feel, even if it came at a higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia Lumia 1520 worth buying today?
While both phones are outdated, the Lumia 1520 still offers a better experience due to its superior performance and camera. However, be aware that software updates are no longer available.
❓ Which Lumia has better battery life?
The Nokia Lumia 1520 has a slightly better endurance rating (107h) compared to the Lumia 1320 (75h), although both offer excellent battery performance.
