The wait for Windows Phone 8 has been decidedly long. And whether or not it was truly worth it still remains to be seen. But while the jury is still out on Microsoft’s latest mobile OS, the hardware is undeniably impressive on the first devices announced running it. Consider the Nokia Lumia 920, the latest flagship smartphone from Nokia and one of the first handsets launched with WP8. It has a number of innovative smartphone features. Among other things, it lets users easily capture photos and record videos like never before with exclusive PureView camera technology and OIS or optical image stabilization. Nokia may have received criticism for its act of using fake footage and still shots in the promos, but as anyone who has seen what the phone can actually do with its camera can tell you, it sits high above the competition in terms of performance.
There’s a long list of high-end hardware and software niceties available on this particular model. It features a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU from Qualcomm, 1GB of RAM, and 32GB internal storage. It also comes with a 4.5-inch WXGA IPS touchscreen display, a bunch of sensors which include an accelerometer and a gyroscope, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, and 4G LTEnetworking technology. All of this tech is kept running quietly inside a casing that measures only 11mm thick and weighs a total of 185 grams. That includes a 2,000 mAh battery and integrated wireless charging technology.
So it’s a smartphone heavyweight that’s a bit light in the hand, and what’s more, it offers speedy performance both in terms of mobile computing and mobile Internet. The included battery has been rated by Nokia as good for nearly 70 hours of music playback and over 6 hours of video, which means it should last long enough to let users run their favorite WP8 apps on the go. As the latest version of Microsoft’s software solution for mobile phones, WP8 is designed for tight integration with the desktop and other mobile versions of the Windows 8 software.
After everything that has been said above, it should be noted that the 920 is not perfect. It lacks support for microSD cards and doesn’t have a built-in hardware keyboard. These are just a couple of things that had to be sacrificed to get it out the door. Hardly anyone seems to be complaining, though, because overall it’s a very well-rounded product. It may not be a Droid, but perhaps this is just the phone that you're looking for.
Need to Know: Nokia Lumia 920
1. Exclusive Nokia PureView camera technology with OIS or optical image stabilization results in stunningly clear and bright photos even in poor light conditions. (The Good)
2. Windows Phone 8 software is tightly integrated with desktop and other mobile versions (i.e. for laptops or tablet computers). (The Good)
3. Amount of internal storage is maxed out at 32GB and cannot be expanded further due to lack of microSD card support. (The Bad)
4. Onboard processor is limited to just two physical cores as opposed to the quad-core chips present in other high-end smartphones. (The Bad)
What the Critics Are Saying...
- John McCann, TechRadarThe Nokia Lumia 920 isn't a groundbreaking, game-changing device, it's a refreshed Lumia 900 with a newer operating system and some additional power. That's not to say it's a bad phone, what Nokia has produced is a solid, well-built device which does the job you'd expect of a smartphone, without an...
- Armando Rodriguez, Tech AdvisorThe Nokia Lumia 928 is a budget Windows Phone 8 smartphone that doesn't stand out from the company's other recent mobile offerings. The bad news for us UK users is that as things stand it will be available only in the US. The good news is that you may not care. The Lumia 928 offers specs similar to...
- Cosmin Vasile, SoftpediaNokia Lumia 920 is quite an eye-catcher at first glance, which is one of the reasons some may want to try it out. The low price in comparison with other flagship smartphones is another reason you might want to switch to Windows Phone platform. I still like Lumia 920, but after a few months of use a...
- Andy Patrizio, BrighthandThis is a beautiful phone with a few flaws, most of which can be fixed through software updates. Ignore the complaints about how heavy it is. You can slip it into your pocket and never know it's there. The integration with contact lists from Facebook and LinkedIn is so nice it alone makes me want to...
- Anish, Tech TickerWith many firsts like the Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and wireless charging (accessory sold separately). As a high-end Windows phone, it has everything that one can ask for but when you compare it with its immediate competitors like the iPhone 5 or the Galaxy S III, Nokia has a bit of catch up...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Nokia Lumia 920 user manual here.
Nokia backs up the Lumia 920 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Lumia 920 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Nokia support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Nokia's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Ask the Community
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Nokia Lumia 920 Manual (PDF)
Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.