Nokia's Lumia series was a force to be reckoned with in the Windows Phone era. The Lumia 822 and 1020, released relatively close together, offered distinct strengths. But which one holds up best today? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 1020 is the clear winner, primarily due to its groundbreaking 41MP camera and exceptional image quality. While both share a similar chipset and CPU, the 1020's camera technology and slightly better software optimization make it the superior choice for photography enthusiasts.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-875, RM-877 |
| 4G bands | 13 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-875 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | 2, 4, 5, 17 - RM-877 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, October. Released 2012, November | 2013, July 11. Released 2013, July 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 127.8 x 68.4 x 11.2 mm, 95 cc (5.03 x 2.69 x 0.44 in) | 130.4 x 71.4 x 10.4 mm, 96.9 cc (5.13 x 2.81 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 141.6 g (4.97 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~60.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~61.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | Nokia ClearBlack display | PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus |
| GPU | Adreno 225 | Adreno 225 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM (Telefonica exclusive) |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss Tessar lens, F2.2, dual-LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon & LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 41 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/1.5", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 4x lossless digital zoom |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.2 MP | 1.2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | OneDrive (15 GB cloud storage)
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/WMA player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Document viewer
Video/photo editor | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 62.1 h | Up to 63 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 254 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 19 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1800 mAh, removable (BP-4W) | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BV-5XW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, White, Red | Yellow, white, black, red (AT&T exclusive) |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| SAR | 0.79 W/kg (head) | 1.23 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.23 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) | 0.76 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 61h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 2.103 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB
|
Nokia Lumia 822
- More compact design
- Potentially lower price (used)
- Decent camera for casual use
- Weaker camera compared to 1020
- Shorter battery life
- Older hardware, limited app support
Nokia Lumia 1020
- Exceptional 41MP PureView camera
- Excellent image quality
- Longer battery life
- Innovative oversampling technology
- Larger size and weight
- Older hardware, limited app support
- Potentially higher price (used)
Display Comparison
Both devices feature 4.5-inch IPS LCD displays with a resolution of 768 x 1280 pixels. While the Lumia 1020 boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term often used for OLEDs, but less applicable to LCDs), and a sunlight readability rating of 2.103, the difference in real-world viewing experience is minimal. Both screens are adequate but not exceptional by modern standards.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Lumia 1020 truly shines. Its 41MP PureView camera was revolutionary, offering incredible detail and oversampling capabilities. The 822's 8MP camera is decent, but nowhere near the 1020's level. The 1020's camera also offered better low-light performance and more creative shooting options.
Performance
Performance is largely identical. Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset and a dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. Expect similar responsiveness for everyday tasks, but both will struggle with demanding modern games or applications. Don't expect blazing fast speeds from either device.
Battery Life
The Lumia 1020 has a reported endurance rating of 61 hours, which is significantly better than the Lumia 822. While exact battery capacities differ (1020: 2000 mAh, 822: 1800 mAh), the 1020's software optimization and potentially more efficient power management contribute to its longer battery life.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 822 is a good option for users prioritizing a slightly more compact design and potentially a lower price (if found used). The Lumia 1020 is ideal for photography lovers who want a truly exceptional camera experience, even if it means a slightly larger device and potentially more limited app availability now.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2023?
They offer a nostalgic experience and a unique camera (1020). However, be aware of limited app support and older hardware. They are best suited for enthusiasts or collectors.
❓ What operating system do these phones use?
Both phones run Windows Phone 8.1. Updates are no longer available.
