Nokia Lumia 1020
Key specs
Critic consensus
“It's a brilliant cameraphone but the smartphone isn't without its issues. The camera shot-to-shot time is rather appalling, the screen has only average sunlight legibility, the battery is not exchangeable and you cannot expand the internal storage with a microSD card. Yet, these are things you can live with if you get something in return, something to make up for these inconveniences. And the Nokia Lumia 1020 delivers.”
“The Nokia Lumia 1020 faces an uphill battle: Not only is it competing against heavyweights such as the Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5, but it is also fighting against the stigma surrounding the Windows Phone OS. The Lumia 1020 is an excellent phone with one of the best all-around cameras out there, but its AT&T exclusivity and older hardware make it a hard sell. If you’re an AT&T customer who has been curious about Windows Phone, I strongly urge you to pick up the Lumia 1020. For everyone else, you’ll have to ask yourself whether a fancy camera and the struggling Windows Phone ecosystem are enough to break your contract over.”
“This phone is for that small niche of people out there who either aren't OS-specific or prefer Windows Phone 8 to iOS and Android. Because, lets face it, you either want a Windows phone or you don't - and a 41-megapixel sensor isn't going to change that for anyone. So, if you want a Windows Phone 8 device and desire the ability to capture mammoth, high-resolution photos, than the Lumia 1020 is the smartphone for you.”
“If you want the absolute best camera on a smartphone, then the Lumia 1020 is for you. At $300 with a two-year contract, it’s the same price as an iPhone with equivalent storage, and its camera blows away the iPhone’s, along with all other smartphones we’ve tested this year. Nokia is leading the pack when it comes to smartphone imaging technology. You just have to be OK with hitching your wagon to Windows Phone. It’s definitely trailing behind when it comes to the best apps, but who knows, maybe the Lumia 1020 and Nokia’s imaging SDK will be enough to spur developers to hop on.”
Watch before you decide
What people say
Only a few ratings so far, not enough to show a trend yet.
2 ratings so far
Phone is simple easy to use and figure out. Does all the basics talk, text, email and web browsing. Simple to arrange favourite home screen icons, then add, resize or delete them. Nokia has some great apps exclusive to their phones - please keep up the awesome effort with them. Driving, photo edi...
Best camera on a phone that you can find. Great phone in most aspects. Has it's issues, such as display rendering when zooming in and out on websites can sometimes take a few seconds, and Windows Phone OS is still catching up app-wise. All in all though, probably one of the top 5 phones out there.
In Depth
The Nokia Lumia 1020 wowed audiences during its unveiling touting a Windows 8 OS and a 41MP camera. While the camera is the main focus of the phone, the Nokia Lumia 1020 boasts a 1.5GB dual-core processor, HD screen, 2GB of memory and 32GB of internal storage.
Most reviewers do find the Lumia 1020 to be a bit on the bulkier side thanks to the 41MP camera. The phone itself weighs around 158 grams (5.57 ounces), which is slightly lighter than its predecessor the 920 but over 56 grams (2 ounces) heavier than the iPhone 5 and is 10.4mm thick, which is far thicker than many other smartphones.
As Brad Molen of Engadget points out, the thickness of the phone and bulk of the camera “make for a rather awkward hand-held experience” though most reviewers agree that eventually users will get used to handling the device. Molen goes on to mention that the 1020 is extremely well-built with a sturdy polycarbonate body that is both fingerprint and dirt resistant, though these features also lead to the phone being more slippery.
All reviewers agree that the best feature of this phone is its high quality camera as well as the numerous related apps. The camera comes with a Xenon Flash, which boasts a white balance closer to daylight. Marc Flores of TechRadar mentions that the flash is far more powerful than the standard LED flashes on most smartphones and offers excellent coverage noting that the flash photography is, “not bad on the Lumia 1020.” The related camera apps allow users to adjust color balance, shutter speed and more before taking the picture and then offers a slew of apps to adjust the image after it has been taken. Consumers can also take relatively high-quality video with the phone and edit before posting to sites like YouTube.
Despite the power of the camera, there are a couple drawbacks. According to Flores, the camera itself is slow to start up, taking a second longer than the iPhone 5. Flores goes on to mention that it takes longer to process and save images due to its large size, which prevents consumers from firing off pictures in rapid succession.
Overall, most reviewers agree that the 1020 offers a solid performing phone for basic use and a stellar camera. Matthew Miller of ZDNet notes that this is the “best Windows Phone device I have used over the last three years.” Others are more reserved with their consensus. Engadget notes that while the phone generally performs well, there were issues with the speakerphone and problems with frozen buttons. TechRadar mentions the lack of apps for Windows 8 and states that the phone is better for consumers “who don’t spend too much time in apps, and find themselves messaging and emailing and browsing the web more…”
The Good: 41 megapixel rear-facing camera, sturdy dirt and fingerprint resistant body, only Windows 8 phone with 2 gigabytes of memory.
The Bad: Lack of apps for Windows 8 phones, slow camera start up, cannot take pictures in rapid succession.
What people actually want to know
When was the Nokia Lumia 1020 released?
The Nokia Lumia 1020 was released on July 26, 2013.
How long does the battery last on the Nokia Lumia 1020?
The Nokia Lumia 1020 has a 2,000 mAh battery.
Does the Nokia Lumia 1020 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Nokia Lumia 1020 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Nokia Lumia 1020 have NFC?
Yes, the Nokia Lumia 1020 has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I download the Nokia Lumia 1020 manual?
You can view and download the Nokia Lumia 1020 manual on our dedicated manual page.
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