The Nokia Lumia 2520 and Microsoft Surface 2 were flagship Windows tablets released around the same time, vying for dominance in a nascent market. Both offered a compelling Windows experience on the go, but significant differences existed under the hood. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which tablet ultimately comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia Lumia 2520 edges out the Surface 2 thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 800 chipset, resulting in noticeably better performance. While the Surface 2 had a better kickstand and Type Cover, the Lumia 2520's raw power makes it the preferred choice for demanding users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - RX-113 | - |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 20 - RX-113 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| | 4, 13 - RX-114v | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, October. Released 2013, December | 2013, September. Released 2013, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 267 x 168 x 8.9 mm (10.51 x 6.61 x 0.35 in) | 274.6 x 172.5 x 8.9 mm (10.81 x 6.79 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | No |
| Weight | 615 g (1.36 lb) | 675.9 g (1.49 lb) |
| | - | Built-in 2-stage kickstand |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~208 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 281.2 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.6 inches, 309.8 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| | ClearBlack display | ClearType technology |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A15 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Nvidia Tegra 4 T40 |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | ULP GeForce (72 cores) |
| OS | Microsoft Windows RT | Microsoft Windows RT |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics | LED flash |
| Single | 6.7 MP, 1/3.4", AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 3.5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB 3.0, OTG | USB 3.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | HDMI port
MP4/DivX/Xvid/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Photo viewer/editor
Document editor/viewer | TV-out via HDMI port
MP4/DivX/XviD/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/FLAC player
Photo viewer/editor
Microsoft Office 2013 RT
SkyDrive (200 GB cloud storage)
Skype free international calls and Wi-Fi for 1 year |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 600 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 8120 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyan , Red, Black, White | Dark Titanium |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.77 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB | - |
Nokia Lumia 2520
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 800)
- Vibrant 1080p Display
- Premium Build Quality
- Loud and Clear Speakers
- Shorter Battery Life than Surface 2
- Limited Software Updates
- Accessories (Stylus, Keyboard) Sold Separately
Microsoft Surface 2
- Excellent Typing Experience with Type Cover (Sold Separately)
- Compact and Portable Design
- Good Battery Life
- Kickstand for Versatile Viewing Angles
- Weaker Performance (Tegra 4)
- Less Bright Display
- Higher Overall Cost with Accessories
Display Comparison
The Lumia 2520 boasts a 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920x1080, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Surface 2 features a 10.6-inch ClearType display with a resolution of 1920x1080. While both are excellent, the Lumia 2520's slightly brighter display gives it a slight edge in outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both tablets feature front-facing cameras primarily intended for video conferencing. The Lumia 2520 has a 5MP front camera, while the Surface 2 has a 3.2MP front camera. Image quality is adequate on both, but neither is a standout performer.
Performance
This is where the Lumia 2520 truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with a 2.2 GHz Krait 400 CPU significantly outperforms the Surface 2's Nvidia Tegra 4 T40 with a 1.7 GHz Cortex-A15 CPU. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Lumia 2520.
Battery Life
The Surface 2 generally offered slightly better battery life, estimated around 7-8 hours of typical usage, compared to the Lumia 2520's 6-7 hours. However, battery life can vary significantly depending on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 2520 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a vibrant display. It's a good choice for those who need to run demanding applications or enjoy graphically intensive games. The Microsoft Surface 2 is better suited for users who value portability, a comfortable typing experience with the Type Cover, and a more compact design, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Nokia Lumia 2520 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 800 chipset.
❓ Is the Surface 2's Type Cover worth it?
Yes, the Surface 2's Type Cover provides a comfortable and productive typing experience, making it a worthwhile investment for those who need to do a lot of writing.
❓ Are these tablets still worth buying in 2024?
Both tablets are quite dated now. While they can still function, finding replacement parts and software updates will be challenging. Consider modern alternatives.
