The Nokia Lumia 925 and 1020 were flagship Windows Phones, each boasting unique strengths. The 925 prioritized sleek design and a premium feel, while the 1020 was a photography powerhouse. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia Lumia 1020 wins for photography enthusiasts, thanks to its incredible 41MP PureView camera. However, the Lumia 925 offers a more refined design and slightly better sunlight display contrast. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities: camera or aesthetics.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-892 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-875, RM-877 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-892 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-875 |
| 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-893 | 2, 4, 5, 17 - RM-877 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, May. Released 2013, June | 2013, July 11. Released 2013, July 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 129 x 70.6 x 8.5 mm, 78 cc (5.08 x 2.78 x 0.33 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 | 139 g (4.90 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~63.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~61.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | PureMotion HD+ 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 | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM (Telefonica exclusive) |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon & LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, 1/3.0", AF, OIS | 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 | 1.3 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, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 55 h | Up to 63 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 440 h (3G) | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 19 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BL-4YW) | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BV-5XW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gray | Yellow, white, black, red (AT&T exclusive) |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| SAR | 1.42 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 1.23 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.81 W/kg (head) | 0.76 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -82.5dB / Crosstalk -81.2dB | - |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 61h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.402:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 2.103 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 63dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 66dB
|
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB
|
Nokia Lumia 925
- Sleek and premium design
- Better sunlight display contrast
- More comfortable in-hand feel
- Slightly more compact
- Weaker camera compared to 1020
- Shorter battery life
- Performance showing its age
Nokia Lumia 1020
- Exceptional 41MP PureView camera
- Outstanding image quality
- Longer battery life
- Innovative Xenon flash
- Bulkier design
- Lower sunlight display contrast
- Performance showing its age
- Less refined design compared to 925
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Lumia 925 boasts a slightly better contrast ratio in sunlight (3.402:1 vs 2.103:1), making it marginally easier to view outdoors. However, both have a nominal 'infinite' contrast ratio, which is a marketing term.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Lumia 1020 truly shines. Its 41MP PureView camera is legendary, offering incredible detail and image quality. The 925's camera is good, but it simply can't compete with the 1020's resolution and image processing capabilities. Both offer Photo/Video functionality.
Performance
Both devices share the same Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset and dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. Performance is comparable, adequate for everyday tasks but showing its age by modern standards. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds or demanding gaming capabilities.
Battery Life
The Lumia 1020 has a significant advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 61 hours. The 925's battery life is noticeably shorter, struggling to last a full day with moderate use. This difference is largely due to the 1020's larger battery capacity.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 925 is ideal for users who value a premium design, a comfortable in-hand feel, and a generally well-rounded smartphone experience. The Nokia Lumia 1020 is the clear choice for those prioritizing exceptional camera performance and image quality above all else.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos?
The Nokia Lumia 1020 is significantly better for photography due to its 41MP PureView camera and superior image processing.
❓ Is the Nokia Lumia 925 still worth buying?
If you prioritize design and a more compact form factor, the 925 can still be a decent option. However, be aware of its limitations in camera and battery performance.
❓ What operating system did these phones use?
Both the Nokia Lumia 925 and 1020 ran Windows Phone 8.1.
