The Nokia Lumia 925 and 920 were flagship Windows Phones, representing Nokia's peak in the smartphone market. Both offered compelling features, but catered to slightly different user preferences. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one was the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 920 edges out the 925 thanks to its wireless charging and slightly better sunlight display performance. While the 925 boasts a more refined design, the 920's added features and robust battery life make it the more practical choice for many.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - RM-821, RM-820 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-892 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-821, RM-820 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-892 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-821 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| 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 | 4, 17 - RM-820 (AT&T) |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, May. Released 2013, June | 2012, September. Released 2012, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 129 x 70.6 x 8.5 mm, 78 cc (5.08 x 2.78 x 0.33 in) | 130.3 x 70.8 x 10.7 mm, 99 cc (5.13 x 2.79 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 139 g (4.90 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| 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 (~62.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | 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 |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, 1/3.0", AF, OIS | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 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, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 |
|---|
| Browser | - | No |
| Games | - | No |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) |
| Music play | Up to 55 h | Up to 67 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 440 h (3G) | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 17 h (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BL-4YW) | Non-removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery (BP-4GW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gray | Black, Gray, Red, Yellow, White |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR | 1.42 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 1.08 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.81 W/kg (head) | 0.70 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -82.5dB / Crosstalk -81.2dB |
Noise -78.9dB / Crosstalk -75.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 44h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.402:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1065:1 (nominal) / 2.107:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 63dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 66dB
|
Voice 61dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 65dB
|
Nokia Lumia 925
- Slimmer, more premium design
- Slightly more modern aesthetics
- Good display quality (nominal contrast)
- Shorter battery life
- Weaker low-light camera performance (LED flash)
- Lower sunlight display contrast
Nokia Lumia 920
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- Excellent battery life (44h endurance)
- Brighter low-light camera (Xenon flash)
- Better sunlight display readability
- Bulkier design
- Less modern aesthetics
- Lower nominal contrast ratio
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 4.5-inch IPS LCD displays with 1280 x 768 resolution. The Lumia 925 has a reported 'infinite' contrast ratio nominally, but a lower 3.402:1 contrast ratio in sunlight. The Lumia 920 has a 1065:1 nominal contrast and 2.107:1 in sunlight. While the 925's design is more aesthetically pleasing, the 920's sunlight readability is noticeably better.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 8.7MP rear cameras. The Lumia 920 had a Xenon flash, providing brighter and more consistent results in low-light conditions. The 925 used a standard LED flash. Image quality is generally good on both, but the 920's flash gives it a slight edge in challenging lighting.
Performance
Both devices share the same Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset and dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. Performance is generally comparable, with both handling everyday tasks and Windows Phone apps smoothly. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds by today's standards, but they were respectable for their time.
Battery Life
The Lumia 920 has a significant advantage here. It boasts an endurance rating of 44 hours, while the 925's battery life is considerably shorter (exact figures are harder to find, but it was noticeably less). This makes the 920 a much better choice for users who need all-day battery life.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 925 is ideal for users prioritizing a premium, slimmer design and a slightly more modern aesthetic. The Lumia 920 is better suited for those who value wireless charging, longer battery life, and a more rugged build.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia Lumia 925 worth buying today?
While the design is appealing, the shorter battery life and weaker camera performance compared to the 920 make it less desirable. It's only recommended if design is your absolute top priority.
❓ Does the Lumia 920 support wireless charging?
Yes, the Lumia 920 features Qi wireless charging, a significant advantage over the 925.
