While we were all anticipating the reveal of the first true PureView Windows Phone 8 device, the Nokia Lumia 1000, it just didn’t happen. Instead, we got two mid-range phones that sit on either side of the well-regarded Nokia Lumia 620. Let’s have a look at each and see if they improve on that phone’s winning formula!
Nokia Lumia 520
The Lumia 520 is a lower-end version of the Nokia Lumia 620 and the cheapest Windows Phone 8 device that has ever been sold by Nokia. While the Lumia 620 is a brilliant phone because it was so feature-complete at such a low price point, the Lumia 520 ditches that advantage to get even lower. It sheds the NFC capabilities and front-facing camera of the Lumia 620, which won’t matter to some but make some things impossible to do – e.g. making mobile payments or doing Skype video calls.
The phone still runs the same basic specifications though – a dual-core 1 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, 8 GB of storage. This can be augmented via microSD for an extra 64 GB though. The display is only 4 inches diagonal, but does include super sensitive touch support that allow it to be used even while wearing gloves.
While the Lumia 510 (the Windows 7 variant at this price point) was aimed at developing markets, the Lumia 510 will be available in the United States and potentially other western markets at a low price – just €139 or $183.
Nokia Lumia 720
As you’d expect, the Lumia 720 adds features to the Lumia 620 instead of taking them away, and consequently comes in at a higher price point. The Lumia 720 includes a larger 4.3″ display that remains at WVGA (480 x 800) resolution, as well as the same super-sensitive, glove-compatible display as the Lumia 520. The big advantage over the Lumia 620 is this phone’s case – the chassis measures only 9 millimetres. The phone also supports wireless charging, so it’ll be able to work with the recently revealed Nokia Lumia wireless car holder with NFC.
Otherwise, the Lumia 720 remains very similar to its cheaper and heavier sibling, with a dual-core 1 GHz processor, half a gigabyte of RAM and 8 GB of expandable storage. Like the 620, the 720 includes Wi-Fi N, NFC and has two cameras. These are both upgrades over the 620 too, with a 6.7 megapixel unit in the rear and a 1.3 megapixel camera on the front.
The Lumia 720 looks to be a good stylish option for people that don’t want or need the heightened specifications of the Nokia Lumia 920. It’ll debut this quarter in China and Asia Pacific for €249 or $341.
Conclusion
So, what do you think? I’m still disappointed we didn’t see the Lumia 1000, but these phones do seem like capable additions to Nokia’s ever expanding arsenal. Thanks for reading and have a good one!
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