Nokia's Lumia series offered a unique take on the smartphone market with its Windows Phone operating system. The Lumia 928 and 822 were both solid contenders, but with subtle differences. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide which one was the better choice back in the day, and which might still hold some appeal today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia Lumia 928 edges out the 822 thanks to its superior camera and wireless charging. While both share the same processor, the 928's enhanced optics and added convenience make it the slightly better overall package, especially for photography enthusiasts.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands | 4, 13 - Verizon | 13 |
| 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 |
| | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, April. Released 2013, May | 2012, October. Released 2012, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 133 x 68.9 x 10.1 mm, 92.8 cc (5.24 x 2.71 x 0.40 in) | 127.8 x 68.4 x 11.2 mm, 95 cc (5.03 x 2.69 x 0.44 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 162 g (5.71 oz) | 141.6 g (4.97 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~62.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~60.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display | Nokia 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 | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, xenon flash, panorama | Carl Zeiss Tessar lens, F2.2, dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF, OIS | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | No | 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| 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 80 h | Up to 62.1 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 606 h (2G) / Up to 541 h (3G) | Up to 254 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 16 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 10 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BV 4-NW) | Li-Ion 1800 mAh, removable (BP-4W) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, Gray, White, Red |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | 1.44 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.88 W/kg (head) | 1.23 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -82.5dB / Crosstalk -80.7dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 41h
| - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -82.5dB / Crosstalk -80.7dB | - |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 41h | - |
Nokia Lumia 928
- Superior 20MP PureView Camera with OIS
- Wireless Charging (Qi)
- Slightly Sharper Display
- Excellent Battery Life (41h Endurance Rating)
- Premium Build Quality
- Older Windows Phone OS (limited app support)
- Can be difficult to find replacement parts
- Less Rugged Design than 822
Nokia Lumia 822
- More Rugged Design
- Decent 8MP Camera
- Reliable Windows Phone Experience
- Generally More Affordable (if found)
- Good Battery Life (estimated 28h)
- Inferior Camera Quality compared to 928
- No Wireless Charging
- Slightly Lower Pixel Density Display
- Older Windows Phone OS (limited app support)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 4.5-inch IPS LCD displays with a resolution of 768 x 1280 pixels. However, the Lumia 928 boasts a slightly higher pixel density (338 ppi vs 333 ppi on the 822), resulting in marginally sharper visuals. Viewing angles and color reproduction are comparable on both devices.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Lumia 928 truly shines. It features a 20MP PureView camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), delivering significantly better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The 822 has an 8MP camera, which is decent but noticeably inferior. Video recording capabilities are also superior on the 928.
Performance
Performance is virtually identical. Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset and a dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. Expect similar responsiveness and multitasking capabilities, though both will feel dated by today's standards. Gaming performance is adequate for less demanding titles.
Battery Life
The Lumia 928 holds a clear advantage in battery life. Its endurance rating of 41 hours significantly surpasses the 822's (estimated around 28 hours based on typical usage). Wireless charging on the 928 also contributes to its overall battery convenience.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 928 is ideal for users who prioritize camera quality and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging. The Lumia 822 is a good option for those seeking a reliable Windows Phone experience without the premium features of the 928, and who value a slightly more rugged design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are apps still available for Windows Phone on these devices?
App support for Windows Phone has significantly diminished. While some core apps may still function, many popular apps are no longer updated or available.
❓ Can I update the operating system on either of these phones?
Both phones are likely running the maximum supported version of Windows Phone 8.1. Further updates are not expected.
