Nokia Lumia 822 vs. Lumia 928: A Detailed Comparison

Nokia's Lumia series offered a unique take on the smartphone market with its Windows Phone operating system. The Lumia 822 and 928, released around the same time, were both solid contenders. But which one offered the better experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia Lumia 928 edges out the 822 thanks to its superior camera and convenient wireless charging. While both share the same processor, the 928's refined design and slightly improved features make it the preferred choice for those seeking a premium Windows Phone experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia Lumia 822	Nokia Lumia 928

Network
2G bands	CDMA 800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	13	4, 13 - Verizon
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, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	1, 3, 7, 8, 20

Launch
Announced	2012, October. Released 2012, November	2013, April. Released 2013, May
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	127.8 x 68.4 x 11.2 mm, 95 cc (5.03 x 2.69 x 0.44 in)	133 x 68.9 x 10.1 mm, 92.8 cc (5.24 x 2.71 x 0.40 in)
SIM	Micro-SIM	Micro-SIM
Weight	141.6 g (4.97 oz)	162 g (5.71 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 2	Corning Gorilla Glass 2
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 (~62.9% 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 1GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	Carl Zeiss Tessar lens, F2.2, dual-LED flash	Carl Zeiss optics, xenon flash, panorama
Single	8 MP, AF	8 MP, 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF, OIS
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec.

Selfie camera
Single	1.2 MP	1.3 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	No
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
	OneDrive (15 GB cloud storage) MP3/WAV/eAAC+/WMA player MP4/H.264/WMV player Document viewer Video/photo editor	-

Battery
Charging	-	Wireless (Qi)
Music play	Up to 62.1 h	Up to 80 h
Stand-by	Up to 254 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)	Up to 606 h (2G) / Up to 541 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 10 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G)	Up to 11 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 16 h 20 min (3G)
Type	Li-Ion 1800 mAh, removable (BP-4W)	Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BV 4-NW)

Misc
Colors	Black, Gray, White, Red	Black, White
Price	About 320 EUR	About 380 EUR
SAR	0.79 W/kg (head)	1.44 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	1.23 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body)	0.88 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	-	Noise -82.5dB / Crosstalk -80.7dB
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 41h

Nokia Lumia 822

More affordable
Solid build quality
Decent performance for everyday tasks
Good value for money

Lower resolution camera
No wireless charging
Older software updates

Nokia Lumia 928

Superior 20MP PureView camera with OIS
Wireless charging (Qi)
Slightly more premium design
Brighter display (potentially)

More expensive (when new)
Older software updates
Can be harder to find in good condition

Display Comparison

Both the Lumia 822 and 928 feature 4.3-inch IPS LCD displays with a resolution of 768 x 1280 pixels. While the specifications are identical, the 928's display is often perceived as slightly brighter and more vibrant, potentially due to subtle differences in panel calibration. Viewing angles are excellent on both devices.

Camera Comparison

This is where the Lumia 928 truly shines. It boasts a 20-megapixel PureView camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a significant upgrade over the 822's 8-megapixel camera. The 928 captures noticeably better photos, especially in low-light conditions, with more detail and less noise. The 822's camera is still decent, but it doesn't compete with the 928's capabilities.

Performance

Under the hood, both phones are powered by the same Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset and a dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. Performance is generally smooth for everyday tasks, but don't expect blazing-fast speeds by today's standards. Gaming performance is adequate for less demanding titles.

Battery Life

Both devices have an endurance rating of 41 hours, suggesting comparable battery life. However, real-world usage may vary depending on usage patterns. The Lumia 928's wireless charging capability provides added convenience.

Buying Guide

The Nokia Lumia 822 is a good option for budget-conscious users who still want a capable Windows Phone. The Lumia 928 is ideal for photography enthusiasts and those who appreciate premium features like wireless charging and a more refined design, if they can find one in good condition.