Nokia Lumia 1020 Smartphone Review
Introduction and Specifications
Nokia's battle in the global smartphone race is an intriguing one, and those who follow technology have long wondered if the company's decision to hitch its wagon to Microsoft was a wise one. When Stephen Elop came in as CEO, Nokia was in a rare position: it could choose which platform it wanted to support for the foreseeable future. Of course, choosing Windows Phone was a polarizing choice. Android loyalists yearned to see Nokia hardware running Google's mobile OS, while early fans of Windows Phone were thrilled to have such a well-regarded hardware maker on-board.
Over the past couple of years, Windows Phone as a whole has struggled to gain mass acceptance. Meanwhile, iOS and Android have surged, and while BlackBerry has done little to prove that it's worthy of being amongst the mobile elite, it's looking more and more like a two-horse race. Since the Windows Phone OS alone probably isn't enough to sway many smartphone consumers to try a Lumia device, Nokia has resorted to differentiating itself on the hardware side.
In the case of the latest Lumia, the differentiation is obvious: the Lumia 1020 has a 41MP camera, and the most advanced software controls that you'll find on any mobile camera, period. Let's take a look at what's on offer in terms of its specifications...
The Lumia 1020 is easily one of the most impressive handsets on the market today. If photography is at the top of your wish list when it comes to selecting a new smartphone, it's hard to argue with this one. In fact, Apple already played this card with the iPhone 4S. When that phone shipped, one of its few major improvements was the camera sensor. The handset went on to sell millions upon millions, despite being hammered by the press for being too mild an update. It's obvious that consumers are utilizing cameras on phones, but can this particular gem convince loyal iPhone and Android users to switch? We'll evaluate precisely that in the pages ahead.
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Over the past couple of years, Windows Phone as a whole has struggled to gain mass acceptance. Meanwhile, iOS and Android have surged, and while BlackBerry has done little to prove that it's worthy of being amongst the mobile elite, it's looking more and more like a two-horse race. Since the Windows Phone OS alone probably isn't enough to sway many smartphone consumers to try a Lumia device, Nokia has resorted to differentiating itself on the hardware side.
In the case of the latest Lumia, the differentiation is obvious: the Lumia 1020 has a 41MP camera, and the most advanced software controls that you'll find on any mobile camera, period. Let's take a look at what's on offer in terms of its specifications...
 |
|
| Processor and memory |
1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8960 Processor 2 GB RAM 32 GB internal memory |
| Operating System |
Windows Phone 8 |
| Connectivity |
GSM Quad Band/UTMS Tri Band/LTE Dual Band LTE CAT 3 Band 4, and 17, HSPA+ 21 Mbps, UMTS 850/1900/2100 MHz, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz EDGE, GPRS Class 10, UMTS (W-CDMA), HSDPA, LTE Bands 4/17 802.11a/b/g/n Mobile Hotspot Bluetooth 3.0+HS A-GPS NFC GLONASS Qi Wireless Charging (with optional snap-on cover) |
| Ports and expansion |
3.5 mm audio jack microSIM microUSB 2.0 |
| Display |
4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ OLED (1,280 x 768) Display |
| Size and weight |
130.3 71.4 x 10.4mm (HxWxD) 157.6 grams |
| Cameras and multimedia |
2 MP Front-Facing Camera 41 MP Full HD Rear-Facing Autofocus Camera, Full HD Video Recording |
| Battery |
2,000 mAh
|
| Availability |
AT&T, $269.99 with contract and discounts |
The Lumia 1020 is easily one of the most impressive handsets on the market today. If photography is at the top of your wish list when it comes to selecting a new smartphone, it's hard to argue with this one. In fact, Apple already played this card with the iPhone 4S. When that phone shipped, one of its few major improvements was the camera sensor. The handset went on to sell millions upon millions, despite being hammered by the press for being too mild an update. It's obvious that consumers are utilizing cameras on phones, but can this particular gem convince loyal iPhone and Android users to switch? We'll evaluate precisely that in the pages ahead.
