Nokia's Lumia series offered compelling budget-friendly Windows Phone options. The Lumia 1320 and 635 were popular choices, but which one truly delivered the best experience? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia Lumia 1320 edges out the 635 thanks to its significantly longer battery life and superior sunlight readability. While the 635 boasts a quad-core processor, the 1320's endurance and display make it the more practical choice for many users.
| 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 / 2100 - RM-974 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 20 - RM-994 | 3, 7, 20 - RM-974 |
| 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-995 | 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - RM-975 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, October. Released 2014, January | 2014, April. Released 2014, June |
| 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) | 129.5 x 66.7 x 9.2 mm, 78.5 cc (5.10 x 2.63 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 134 g (4.73 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~221 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~70.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 54.3 cm2 (~62.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8230AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) (3G model)/ MSM8930AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) (LTE model) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 512MB 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | 5 MP, 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| 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, LE/ aptX after WP8 Denim update |
| NFC | No | No |
| 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 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, sensor core |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 98 h | Up to 58 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 672 h (2G) / Up to 672 h (3G) | Up to 648 h |
| Talk time | Up to 25 h (2G) / Up to 21 h (3G) | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable (BV-4BW) | Li-Ion 1830 mAh, removable (BL-5H) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Yellow, white, black, red | Bright Orange, bright green, bright yellow, white, black |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.47 W/kg (head) 0.29 W/kg (body) | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) | 0.75 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.6dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 75h
|
Endurance rating 66h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1089:1 (nominal), 1.941 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 771:1 (nominal), 2.056 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 66dB
|
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.6dB | - |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 75h | Endurance rating 66h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1089:1 (nominal), 1.941 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 771:1 (nominal), 2.056 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 66dB | Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB |
Nokia Lumia 1320
- Exceptional battery life (75h)
- Excellent sunlight readability
- Large 6-inch display
- Durable build quality
- Older processor (dual-core)
- Slightly bulkier design
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Android/iOS
Nokia Lumia 635
- Quad-core processor for smoother performance
- More modern design
- LTE connectivity (depending on model)
- Compact size
- Shorter battery life (66h)
- Lower contrast ratio display
- Similar camera performance to 1320
Display Comparison
The Lumia 1320 takes a clear win in the display department. Its contrast ratio of 1089:1 (nominal) and an impressive 1.941 in sunlight are noticeably better than the 635's 771:1 and 2.056 respectively. This translates to better visibility in bright conditions and richer colors on the 1320.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic camera setups. While specific camera specs are not detailed, both offer photo and video capabilities. Image quality is likely comparable, with both producing decent results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be average on both.
Performance
The Lumia 635 holds a slight advantage here. Its quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor generally offers smoother multitasking and app loading compared to the 1320's dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300. However, Windows Phone optimization often mitigates the difference in real-world usage.
Battery Life
The Lumia 1320 dominates in battery life. Its endurance rating of 75h significantly surpasses the 635's 66h. This means the 1320 can easily last for multiple days on a single charge with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 1320 is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and outdoor visibility. The Lumia 635 is better suited for those needing slightly faster performance and a more modern design, though at the expense of battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia Lumia 1320 still worth buying?
If you prioritize battery life and outdoor visibility, the Lumia 1320 can still be a decent option, especially if you can find it at a very low price. However, consider the age of the device and the limited Windows Phone app ecosystem.
❓ Which Lumia has better performance?
The Lumia 635 generally offers slightly better performance due to its quad-core processor. However, the difference isn't always noticeable in everyday use thanks to Windows Phone's optimization.
