What's good
- Good build quality for a low-end phone
- Comes with 1GB of RAM
- Runs the latest Windows Phone software
What's bad
- Glossy case finish
- No built-in camera flash
- Limited app selection in comparison with some competitors
Nokia’s Lumia 525 replaces the Lumia 520, and while it may not offer much in terms of an upgrade, it adds improvement in the right places.
The fact that it's almost an exact copy of its predecessor is really one of the first things most people notice about it. As Roydon Cerejo of India's Tech2 puts it, the Lumia 525 is simply "old wine in a costlier bottle." It's called a doppelganger, bringing near-identical specs which include a 4-inch WVGA (480x800 pixels) touchscreen display, a 1GHz dual-core processor, 8GB of internal storage, a 5-megapixel camera, and a 1,430mAh battery.
The same reviewer also notes that the phone will have the so-called Lumia Black software update right out of the box. This means that it will be pre-loaded with a lot of the stuff usually found only in the high-end Lumias, such as the ability to add folders on the homescreen, improved camera performance, and new features like Nokia Beamer and Nokia Storyteller.
To help you enjoy these improvements, the 525 comes with a full 1GB of RAM. With this, it should be possible to run most Windows Phone apps with nary a hitch.
Speaking of Windows Phone, the Lumia 525 is set to run the latest version of the smartphone OS from Microsoft by default. That puts it in the company of high-end phones from Nokia, at least as far as the software is concerned.
Of course, it's still just an entry-level model, and as such it has quite a limited feature-set overall. But it’s still thought to be a good choice for first-time smartphone buyers and those who don’t ask for much out of their handsets.
As Alvin Wong from UnleashThePhones explains, the Lumia 525 is “solidly-built and works well.” Plus, there isn’t really much more you can ask for at its low price point.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360The Lumia 525 is a small, affordable phone with a surprisingly decent camera and plenty of attitude, but not much else going for it. When held up to similarly priced Android phones, it's hard to make a case in favour of Windows Phone, which is why Nokia has capitalised on looks and ease of use.
- Chris P., PhoneArenaUnpretentious, effective. Two words that are at the very core of the Nokia Lumia 525's DNA. With a price tag of about $180, and the possibility of another sales frenzy à la Lumia 520, this is Nokia's new device to watch.But success is hardly ever built on just past laurels, and Nokia likely k...
- Tim Schiesser, TechSpotThe success of the Lumia 525 hinges on its price. The budget handset is nearly identical to the year-old Lumia 520, save for a minor RAM upgrade, and so you’d expect the prices for both to be quite similar. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.The entry-level smartphone has a decent design...
- Bharadwaj, Fone ArenaThe Lumia 525 is all about making the Lumia 520 present and future proof. Nokia has fixed one of the biggest complaints of the most popular Windows Phone, hoping it can extend the perceived lifetime of the successful device with a minor upgrade. Considering this is not exactly a successor kind of de...
- Alvin Wong, UnleashThePhonesWhile using a Windows Phone device as a primary smartphone is very challenging for me, I would still recommend the Lumia 525 just as readily as I did the Lumia 520 to first-time smartphone buyers, novice users or people with simple needs. The Lumia 525 makes what was already an appealing product eve...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Nokia Lumia 525 user manual here.
Nokia backs up the Lumia 525 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Lumia 525 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.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Nokia Lumia 525 Manual (PDF)
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