Nokia's Lumia series offered a unique take on the smartphone experience with Windows Phone. The Lumia 2520, a tablet, and the Lumia 1520, a large-screen phone, both boasted impressive specs for their time. But which one was truly the better device? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 1520 edges out the 2520 due to its superior battery life and more practical phone form factor. While the 2520 offered a larger screen, the 1520's endurance and overall usability make it the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - RX-113 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-937, RM-939, RM-940 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 20 - RX-113 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-937 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 4, 13 - RX-114v | 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - RM-938, RM-940 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, October. Released 2013, December | 2013, October. Released 2013, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 267 x 168 x 8.9 mm (10.51 x 6.61 x 0.35 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 | 615 g (1.36 lb) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~367 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 281.2 cm2 (~62.7% 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 | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows RT | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics | Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 6.7 MP, 1/3.4", 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 | 2 MP | 1.2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE/ aptX after WP8 Denim update |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB 3.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, sensor core |
| | HDMI port
MP4/DivX/Xvid/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Photo viewer/editor
Document editor/viewer | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) |
| Music play | - | Up to 124 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 600 h | Up to 768 h (2G) / Up to 768 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h | Up to 27 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 25 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 8120 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable (BV-4BW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyan , Red, Black, White | Yellow, white, black, red, green (AT&T) |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.77 W/kg (body) | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.20 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 107h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1207:1 (nominal) / 1.813:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 74dB
|
Nokia Lumia 2520
- Larger screen for media consumption
- Higher resolution display
- Potentially better thermal management
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Less practical form factor as a phone
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Android/iOS
Nokia Lumia 1520
- Exceptional battery life
- More practical smartphone form factor
- Generally better camera performance
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- Smaller screen compared to the 2520
- Windows Phone OS (limited app support)
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 1080p Full HD display with an impressive contrast ratio of 1207:1 (nominal) and 1.813:1 in sunlight. However, the Lumia 2520's larger 2560x1440 resolution on its 10.1-inch screen provides a sharper image, while the Lumia 1520's 6-inch display offers a more comfortable viewing experience for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
The Lumia 1520 generally received more praise for its camera capabilities. While both featured capable cameras, the 1520's larger sensor and Nokia's image processing algorithms often resulted in better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Specific camera specs are missing, but the 1520 was known for its excellent imaging.
Performance
Powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset and 2.2 GHz Krait 400 CPU, both devices offer similar performance. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app usage, though Windows Phone's optimization played a significant role in the overall experience. The 2520's larger size might allow for slightly better thermal management under sustained load.
Battery Life
This is where the Lumia 1520 truly shines. With an endurance rating of 107 hours, it significantly outperforms the Lumia 2520. The 2520's larger screen and tablet form factor necessitate a larger battery, but it still struggles to match the 1520's impressive battery life.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 2520 is best suited for users who specifically want a larger tablet-like experience running Windows Phone and don't mind the compromises in battery life. The Nokia Lumia 1520 is ideal for those seeking a large-screen smartphone with excellent battery life and a capable camera, offering a more versatile and practical device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia Lumia 2520 still worth buying?
It depends. If you're a Windows Phone enthusiast and want a larger screen, it might be. However, be aware of the limited app support and short battery life.
❓ What operating system did these devices run?
Both the Nokia Lumia 2520 and 1520 ran Windows Phone 8.1.
