Nokia's Lumia series was a powerhouse in the Windows Phone era, offering premium designs and innovative features. The Lumia 925 and 930 were flagship contenders, but which one truly delivered the best experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia Lumia 930 edges out the 925 thanks to its significantly faster processor, improved battery life, and wireless charging capabilities. While the 925 boasts a sleek design, the 930’s performance and features make it the superior choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-892 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-892 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 17 - RM-893 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, May. Released 2013, June | 2014, April. Released 2014, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 129 x 70.6 x 8.5 mm, 78 cc (5.08 x 2.78 x 0.33 in) | 137 x 71 x 9.8 mm, 94.7 cc (5.39 x 2.80 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 139 g (4.90 oz) | 167 g (5.89 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~63.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 225 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash | Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, 1/3.0", AF, OIS | 20 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.5", AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps (after WP8 Denim update), 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. |
| 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 | 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/ac, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, sensor core |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 55 h | Up to 75 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 440 h (3G) | Up to 432 h |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 15 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BL-4YW) | Li-Ion 2420 mAh, non-removable (BV-5QW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gray | Bright orange, bright green, white, black, gold |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 370 EUR |
| SAR | 1.42 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.81 W/kg (head) | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -82.5dB / Crosstalk -81.2dB |
Noise -91.4dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 46h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.402:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.567 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 63dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 66dB
|
Voice 76dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 77dB |
Nokia Lumia 925
- Sleek and compact design
- Excellent AMOLED display
- Good camera performance
- Slower processor
- Shorter battery life
- No wireless charging
Nokia Lumia 930
- Faster processor and more RAM
- Longer battery life
- Wireless charging support
- Slightly better camera
- Larger size
- Design less striking than 925
Display Comparison
Both the Lumia 925 and 930 feature 5-inch AMOLED displays with ClearBlack technology, offering excellent contrast and vibrant colors. The 930 has a slightly better sunlight readability contrast ratio (3.567 vs 3.402), but the difference is minimal and likely imperceptible in most real-world scenarios. Both offer a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable cameras, the 930 generally produces slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Both feature 20MP PureView cameras with optical image stabilization (OIS). The 930's image processing algorithms are a bit more refined, leading to more natural-looking photos. Video recording capabilities are similar on both devices.
Performance
This is where the Lumia 930 shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with a quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 processor is a substantial upgrade over the 925's dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor. The 930 handles multitasking and demanding apps with significantly more ease, resulting in a noticeably smoother user experience. The 930 also has 2GB of RAM compared to the 925's 1GB.
Battery Life
The Lumia 930 has a clear advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 46 hours, compared to the 925's unspecified but likely lower rating. The 930 also supports wireless charging (Qi), a convenient feature absent on the 925.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 925 is a good option for those prioritizing a more compact and aesthetically pleasing design, and who don't heavily rely on demanding apps or extended battery life. The Nokia Lumia 930 is ideal for users who want a smoother, faster experience, longer battery life, and the convenience of wireless charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia Lumia 930 worth the upgrade from the 925?
Yes, if performance and battery life are important to you. The 930's faster processor and longer battery life provide a significantly improved user experience.
❓ Which Lumia has the better design?
The Lumia 925 is generally considered to have the more aesthetically pleasing design, with its slimmer profile and premium materials. However, design is subjective.
