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Review Nokia Lumia 820 Smartphone

Colorful midrange. After Nokia has seemingly assumed a leading role in developing smartphones featuring Microsoft's latest Windows Phone 8 operating system, the Finnish manufacturer suits the action to the word through the second model following the Lumia 920. A timeless design meets a decent camera and numerous proprietary apps in the Lumia 820. The manufacturer demands 499 Euros (~$667, RRP) for its new midrange device.

For the original German review, see here.

Nokia's influence as a market leader in the mobile sector has ebbed over time. One reason for this was the belated break with its outdated Symbian operating system for an alternative. Now Microsoft relies on a select group of manufacturers for launching Windows Phone 8, to whom Nokia belongs alongside Samsung and HTC. Unlike the competition, Nokia focuses solely on Microsoft's newest operating system and thus wants to regain its former superiority.

Nokia places the Windows Phone 7.5 based Lumia 800 successor between its premium model Lumia 920 and the entry-level Lumia 620 device. Thus, the midrange Lumia 820 smartphone has to compete against HTC's 8X. To achieve this, Nokia packs a few features into the Lumia 820, which the Lumia 920 already presented. For example, the primary camera from Carl Zeiss though only with a 5 megapixel resolution alongside a dual LED flash, a few proprietary apps, a PETA band LTE module and a high-def 4.3-inch AMOLED screen featuring 217 ppi. Also, 8 GB of flash memory is available, which can be expanded up to 64 GB via a micro SD card. Nokia currently charges 499 Euros (~$667, RRP) for this bundle. Is it justified? To find out, we sent Nokia's Lumia 820 through our exhaustive test course.

Case

The Lumia 820 is very rigid but also very heavy
The Lumia 820 is very rigid but also very heavy
The shell is made of matte-black polycarbonate
The shell is made of matte-black polycarbonate

stylish basic could also be a fitting name for our test device. The non-slip, matte-black coated rear shell is made of rigid polycarbonate and can be swapped with white, blue, red, yellow, purple and gray covers. In contrast to the Lumia 920's unibody design, the Lumia 820's chassis is divided. The exchangeable 1650 mAh battery can be accessed when the lightly rounded rear cover is removed. The slots for a micro SIM and micro SD card are beneath that. The casing's shape is nice to hold and reminds us of HTC's Mango-based Titan (Windows Phone 7.5) which featured the same build but in an aluminum chassis. The Lumia 820 makes a very stable impression despite the prevalent plastic. 

The casing can only be warped marginally even when high force is applied. The device is comfortable to hold, which is due to its pleasant feel with the rounded forms as well as the high weight of just below 160 grams. The dimensions of 123.8 x 68.5 mm (w x d) and a height of 9.9 mm do not look fragile but a screen size of 4.3-inches has to be accommodated. HTC's 8X looks much less bulky and although it features almost the same size (132.4 x 66.2 x 10.2 mm), it weighs 30 grams less - not to mention the much slimmer and smaller iPhone 5. These massive differences suggest a backlog in development compared with experienced manufacturers. However, it could also be an attempt to stick out from the competition.

Connectivity

Nokia's Lumia 820 is only available in one flash memory version. However, unlike the Lumia 920 premium model, the 8 GB flash memory in our test device can be expanded up to 64 GB via micro SD cards. The potential buyer should order one right away because only around 5 GB of the 8 GB is really useable. Microsoft additionally offers 7 GB of online storage in the cloud via SkyDrive

As to interfaces, Nokia also follows the minimalistic standard of the genre. The 3.5 mm jack on the casing's upper edge allows connecting the included in-ear headset and enhances the sound via the Dolby headphone. Data sharing is possible via the micro USB port on the smartphone's lower edge. The Lumia 820 is also charged over this port. Nokia optionally offers a replacement cover that enables wireless charging.

Upper edge: 3.5 mm jack
Upper edge: 3.5 mm jack
Right: camera button, power button, volume rocker
Right: camera button, power button, volume rocker
Lower edge: micro USB, speakers & microphone
Lower edge: micro USB, speakers & microphone
Battery compartment: micro SIM, micro SD
Battery compartment: micro SIM, micro SD
Windows Phone 8
Windows Phone 8
Nokia-developed apps are free of charge
Nokia-developed apps are free of charge
Nokia's very good Drive+ Beta navigation app
Nokia's very good Drive+ Beta navigation app
Nokia Maps is also preinstalled
Nokia Maps is also preinstalled

Software

Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 operating system powers the Lumia 820, which we previously examined in the review of HTC's 8X. The user interface is the same on every device and the smartphone manufacturer cannot modify it. The animated tile surface might be a matter of taste, but we find it very appealing. Its use is intuitive and clearly arranged. The only option for the manufacturer to individualize the software is to install self-developed apps.

The Lumia 820 comes with the usual bloatware (e.g. sports app, news app, hotel search app, etc.), but fortunately they do not get out of hand. Of course Nokia did not miss the opportunity of installing many proprietary apps. Among others, we find Nokia Drive Beta+ free navigation app (the corresponding maps come from Navteq) and Nokia Maps. With exception of Google Maps, similar apps from iOS or Android are usually very expensive. Comprehensive support software dubbed Nokia Care is also installed. All proved to be very well-developed apps that worked reliably in the practical tests.

Communication & GPS

As to the communication options, the test device is in no way inferior to the Lumia 920. The fast 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi standard is also implemented in the Lumia 820, which enables transmissions in both the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency range. The connection worked very reliably even with a few rooms between the device and the router. GSM, including support for the four main frequencies (850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz), Edge, HSPA+ (UMTS / 3G) and PETA band LTE. Unlike the iPhone 5, Nokia's Lumia 820 does not only support Long Term Evaluation (LTE) via certain providers (like the German Telecom), but all 4G frequencies available in some countries (such as Germany). The SIM card slot underneath the battery accepts micro SIM cards. A compulsory Bluetooth module is also installed, though in the somewhat outdated 3.0 +EDR version. Besides that, Nokia installs an NFC chip (Near Field Communication) in the Lumia 820, which is not yet widely distributed in some countries. The Lumia 820 communicates with position satellites via A-GPS and Glonass. The test device exhibited a stable connection quality, which was very good outdoors and barely deteriorates indoors, just like the Lumia 920. Its accuracy is also high.

Telephony

The telephone tile is at the home screen's top left in the Windows Phone 8 default settings. Like all tiles, its size can be modified or it can be deleted when preferred. An alphabetically ordered app list, which also includes the telephone app, appears when wiping to the left. The handling is intuitive and the functions are available to the same extent as known from other operating systems. In addition to the number pad, the user can also access personal contacts, a search field or the mailbox here. Convenient: numbers displayed in an email or browser window can be directly called without having to awkwardly copy and paste them in the telephone app.

Cameras & Multimedia

Nokia installs an 8 megapixel, or 3264x2448 pixel primary camera alongside a dual LED flash in the Lumia 820. The Lumia 820 also features autofocus. It can conveniently be accessed over the dedicated camera button on the casing's right and features two very palpable pressure points. The camera is triggered when it is kept pressed in standby. A short tap is enough when it is on. Nokia uses a Tessar objective from the renowned brand Carl Zeiss as the lens. The fixed aperture value is f2.2 at a focal length of 26 mm. A x4 zoom slightly enlarges distant objects but also increases the image noise. This also occurs when the minimum focal range of 10 cm to the object is undercut. Videos can be recorded in Full HD (1080p) at 30 frames per second and are good in sufficient brightness. The flash can be added here when necessary. The diverse settings have been completely adopted from the Lumia 920 premium model. Regrettably, a menu point for directly selecting the image quality has also been omitted. Nevertheless, options like ISO and exposure values or picture mode are appealing. The camera takes good pictures in an appealing quality providing that the ambient light is sufficient. Depending on the setting, the LED flash is automatically enabled and reduces the image noise. According to Nokia, the LED illuminates objects up to a distance of 3 meters, which we could almost confirm in our tests. Nevertheless, it does not completely prevent image noise. Pictures drift into a distinct warm hue with slightly distorted colors in artificial light.

The front-facing camera has noticeably been slimmed down in comparison with the Lumia 920. It merely features a low VGA resolution of 0.3 megapixels, which is simply no longer up-to-date. The picture quality in the test was below average. Focused pictures were not possible even after several attempts and the image noise is disproportionately visible. The front-facing camera is at most suitable for the occasional video chat in good light.

Front-facing VGA camera
Front-facing VGA camera
Primary 8 MP camera with LED flash
Primary 8 MP camera with LED flash
8 MP primary camera
8 MP primary camera
Reference camera: Nikon D3100
Reference camera: Nikon D3100


Accessories

The customer gets the usual accessories for Nokia's Lumia 820 at a current street price of 400 Euros (~$535). Besides the smartphone and the 1650 mAh battery, there is a user's manual, USB cable with the corresponding charger and an in-ear stereo headset alongside three alternative ear plugs in the colorful box. Other accessories are recommended on Nokia's product page. For example, rear shells in diverse colors and some that enable wireless charging, as well as the corresponding charging cradle. The Lumia 820 even works with the charging pillow from the beanbag chair manufacturer Fatboy. Nokia has also entered into a prestigious collaboration with the well-known accessories manufacturer Monster and offers a Bluetooth headset matching to the smartphone.

Warranty

Opposing the trend, Nokia includes a 24 month warranty on the Lumia 820. The battery and accessories are covered for 12 months. Strangely, the charger is excluded and is only protected for 6 months.

Input Devices & Controls

Inputting text via a virtual QWERTY keyboard needs a bit of practice because of the cramped key field. But with experience, it is a piece of cake. The slightly wider keys in landscape mode enhance the positive impression even more. Regrettably, Nokia does not completely use the available room and the key layout remains unaltered. We adversely noticed that approximately two-thirds of the available room is taken up from the on-screen keyboard in landscape mode so that the displayed screen is very small. The address bar is positioned directly above the keyboard when using Internet Explorer and facilitates one-handed use. The automatic screen rotation when turning the smartphone is implemented quickly. Using the touchscreen is overall smooth and precise; fingers glide with agreeable ease over the glass surface.

The AMOLED screen features a resolution of 480x800 pixels
The AMOLED screen features a resolution of 480x800 pixels

The Lumia 820's screen dubbed "ClearBlack AMOLED" by Nokia features a 15:9 aspect ratio at a screen diagonal of 4.3-inches (10.9 cm) and has a resolution of 480x800 pixels. Nokia builds in a contrast-enhancing polarization filter and an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness when enabled. The casing does not stick out on the screen's edges and leaves the screen's glass unprotected. The pixel density of 217 ppi was subjectively compelling in the test. However, contenders like HTC's Windows Phone 8X or Nokia's Lumia 920 easily surpass this rate with 342 ppi and 332 ppi respectively. Even Apple's iPhone 5 or Google's Nexus 4 clearly outperform the test device with 326 and 320 ppi. 

The screen only places itself in the lower midfield with an average brightness of 297 cd/m² and a maximum of 318 cd/m². The device is superior to the maximum 283 cd/m² of Google's Nexus 4 and slightly ahead of the 293.8 cd/m² of HTC's Windows Phone 8X. The upper brightness top rank is still reserved by Apple's iPhone 5 with 486.8 cd/m². Even Nokia's Lumia 920 scores a much higher 321.9 cd/m². Regardless of that, Nokia's Lumia 820 supplies the same, very good brightness distribution of 89%, like the Lumia 920.

284
cd/m²
286
cd/m²
314
cd/m²
285
cd/m²
288
cd/m²
312
cd/m²
287
cd/m²
299
cd/m²
318
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
tested with Gossen Mavo-Monitor
Maximum: 318 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 297 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 89 %
Center on Battery: 288 cd/m²
Contrast: 28800:1 (Black: 0.01 cd/m²)

The theoretical black value of 0.01 cd/m² and a calculated contrast of 28800:1 for construction-related reasons is first rate. The OLED technology completely turns off pixels that are to remain black, which results in a very dark black. We notice a very focused picture, crisp and bright colors as well as a breathtaking contrast subjectively. A higher brightness would have enhanced this impression even more. Overall, a very good presentation from the Lumia 820.

Outdoors
Outdoors

Theoretically, Nokia should be able to perfectly cope with outdoor use in view of a maximum brightness of 318 cd/m². However, the brightness could have been a bit higher considering the very reflective glass surface and thus ensure perfect legibility even in direct sunlight. Otherwise, the displayed content remained easily readable even outdoors.

Viewing angles: Nokia Lumia 820
Viewing angles: Nokia Lumia 820

Owing to the 4.3-inch screen's AMOLED technology, the viewing angles remain stable from every position. Restrictions are only experienced in unfavorable light. Otherwise, color distortions or brightness losses do not occur even at extreme angles, as can be seen on our screenshot of a slanted view. However, the picture is a bit overexposed and is not really faithful. The viewing angle category does not give reason for complaint seen with the naked eye.

Performance

Nokia's Lumia 820 is powered by the same unit as used in the Lumia 920. Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960 dual-core processor with a clock frequency of 1.5 GHz and 1 GB of working memory enable high work speeds. Apps are opened quickly and use is always smooth. Thus, the test device operates on a par with Windows Phone 8 premium models, such as HTC's Windows Phone 8X or Nokia's big Lumia 920.

The browser benchmarks underpin this. Google's V8 benchmark recorded a score of 783 and places the device just behind HTC's Windows Phone 8X and Nokia's Lumia 920, both with 785 points. A score of 1758 points places the Lumia 820 in front of the Lumia 920 with 1194 points in Browsermark 2.0. However, it is surpassed by the Nexus 4 with 1839 points. The test device finished Sunspider 0.9.1 after 923.2 ms. The Lumia 920 needed 915.3 ms and the iPhone 5 finished after 935.4 ms. The result of 333 points in Peacekeeper's benchmark is on a par with the Lumia 920 (334 points).

Browsermark - --- (sort by value)
Nokia Lumia 820
Adreno 225, S4 Plus MSM8960, 8 GB SSD
1758 points
Nokia Lumia 920
Adreno 225, S4 Plus MSM8960, 32 GB SSD
1194 points -32%
Apple iPhone 5
SGX543MP3, A6, 32 GB SSD
2383 points +36%
Google Nexus 4
Adreno 320, S4 Pro APQ8064A, 16 GB SSD
1839 points +5%
Google V8 Ver. 7 - Google V8 Ver. 7 Score (sort by value)
Nokia Lumia 820
Adreno 225, S4 Plus MSM8960, 8 GB SSD
783 Points
Nokia Lumia 920
Adreno 225, S4 Plus MSM8960, 32 GB SSD
785 Points 0%
Apple iPhone 5
SGX543MP3, A6, 32 GB SSD
1457 Points +86%
HTC Windows Phone 8X
Adreno 225, S4 Plus MSM8260A, 16 GB SSD
785 Points 0%
Google Nexus 4
Adreno 320, S4 Pro APQ8064A, 16 GB SSD
1381 Points +76%
Sunspider
1.0 Total Score (sort by value)
Nokia Lumia 920
Adreno 225, S4 Plus MSM8960, 32 GB SSD
891 ms *
Apple iPhone 5
SGX543MP3, A6, 32 GB SSD
714 ms *
Google Nexus 4
Adreno 320, S4 Pro APQ8064A, 16 GB SSD
1581 ms *
0.9.1 Total Score (sort by value)
Nokia Lumia 820
Adreno 225, S4 Plus MSM8960, 8 GB SSD
923 ms *
Nokia Lumia 920
Adreno 225, S4 Plus MSM8960, 32 GB SSD
915 ms * +1%
Apple iPhone 5
SGX543MP3, A6, 32 GB SSD
935 ms * -1%
HTC Windows Phone 8X
Adreno 225, S4 Plus MSM8260A, 16 GB SSD
896 ms * +3%
Google Nexus 4
Adreno 320, S4 Pro APQ8064A, 16 GB SSD
1895 ms * -105%
Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value)
Nokia Lumia 820
Adreno 225, S4 Plus MSM8960, 8 GB SSD
333 Points
Apple iPhone 5
SGX543MP3, A6, 32 GB SSD
863 Points +159%
Google Nexus 4
Adreno 320, S4 Pro APQ8064A, 16 GB SSD
236 Points -29%

* ... smaller is better

The Lumia 820 scored well in the synthetic benchmarks. Our standard AnTuTu Benchmark v2 is currently not available for Windows Phone 8. However, the AnTuTu Benchmark v0.8.0 beta is only slightly different according to the developer. The Lumia 820 achieved a total score of 11644 points, which is right behind the 12281 points achieved by HTC's Windows Phone 8X. The other scores are very similar to those of the Lumia 920 and are impressive.

AnTuTu Benchmark v0.8.0 beta
AnTuTu Benchmark v0.8.0 beta
The AnTuTu Benchmark v0.8.0 beta is comparable with the Android version v2
The AnTuTu Benchmark v0.8.0 beta is comparable with the Android version v2

Games

Xbox 360 games menu interface
Xbox 360 games menu interface

Qualcomm's SoC (system-on-a-chip) sports an Adreno 225 GPU for graphics. There still aren't many games available in the Windows Phone 8 store and particularly demanding 3D games are still scarce. We tested Angry Birds Star Wars, Flight Control, Plants vs. Zombies, Shoot 1UP and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit on the Lumia 820. The entire test portfolio exhibited short loading times and smooth gameplay. It was fun to control games using the precise touchscreen besides the accurately working position and accelerometer, and left us craving for demanding titles which will hopefully soon be available.


Angry Birds Star Wars
Angry Birds Star Wars
Flight Control
Flight Control
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
Plants vs. Zombies
Plants vs. Zombies

Speech Quality

The Lumia 820's telephone app does its job very well. Several test calls exhibited a flawless voice and audio quality when making calls with the test device. Background noise is kept within limits and is more likely to be ascribed to the network quality than the device. The volume is sufficient even for calls in louder surroundings. The hands-free function over the mono speaker installed in the lower edge is also acceptable. However, sound reproduction is extremely tinny particularly in higher volumes. The sound quality is treble-heavy and lets mids and bass recede into the background. It also becomes obvious that the microphone could have been a bit more sensitive in louder surroundings.

The included Wh-208 headset corresponds to that of the Lumia 920 and features a mixed quality. Although it is still alright for calls, a high-quality headset or headphones should be used for playing music, games and movies.

The speaker is on the back
The speaker is on the back
The sound is conducted to the casing's lower edge
The sound is conducted to the casing's lower edge

Emissions

Temperature

The smartphone is usually held in a hand during use. Consequently, a good temperature management is essential for pleasant handling. While the test device remained within an acceptable range when idling with an average of 29.7 °C on the front and 28.5 °C on the rear as well as a maximum of 31.2 °C, the Lumia 820 regrettably blundered during load. The device acknowledged the one hour stress test with a maximum temperature of 43.4 °C on the back. The touchscreen heated up to 48 °C. The Lumia 920 scores worse despite the same components. HTC's Windows Phone 8X shows that there is no need for this with a maximum surface temperature of 43.4 °C. However, we never managed to reproduce any scenario where holding the Lumia 820 got unpleasant because it was too hot during normal use.

Max. Load
 41.1 °C
106 F
40 °C
104 F
38.3 °C
101 F
 
 43 °C
109 F
45.1 °C
113 F
41.2 °C
106 F
 
 47.8 °C
118 F
48 °C
118 F
42 °C
108 F
 
Maximum: 48 °C = 118 F
Average: 42.9 °C = 109 F
41 °C
106 F
43.3 °C
110 F
38.3 °C
101 F
38.2 °C
101 F
40.6 °C
105 F
38.5 °C
101 F
38.2 °C
101 F
40.1 °C
104 F
37.6 °C
100 F
Maximum: 43.3 °C = 110 F
Average: 39.5 °C = 103 F
Power Supply (max.)  34.4 °C = 94 F | Room Temperature 23 °C = 73 F | Voltcraft IR-350
(-) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 42.9 °C / 109 F, compared to the average of 32.7 °C / 91 F for the devices in the class Smartphone.
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 48 °C / 118 F, compared to the average of 35 °C / 95 F, ranging from 21.9 to 56 °C for the class Smartphone.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 43.3 °C / 110 F, compared to the average of 33.8 °C / 93 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 29.7 °C / 85 F, compared to the device average of 32.7 °C / 91 F.

Energy Management

Power Consumption

The Lumia 820's screen and CPU use the lion's share of power. Idle mode consumes between 1.5 and 3.2 watts. The Lumia 920 consumes more with 2.1 - 3.9 watts in this state, but it also has a bigger screen. HTC's Windows Phone 8X is more energy-efficient with 2 to 2.6 watts although the configuration and screen diagonal are virtually identical. Our Voltcraft VC 940 recorded consumption of between 4.4 and 5.7 watts during load. The Lumia 820 even surpasses the bigger Lumia 920 here, which consumed a maximum of 5.4 watts. HTC's 8X ranged between 3.7 and 5.6 watts during load. In comparison, Apple's iPhone 5 proves to be a downright energy saving champion with a maximum consumption of 2.9 watts. The included 6.5 watt power supply unit is sized adequately.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.1 / 0.7 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 1.5 / 2 / 3.2 Watt
Load midlight 4.4 / 5.7 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Voltcraft VC 940
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.

Battery Runtime

Nokia states a maximum standby runtime of 360 hours for the Lumia 820's lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1650 mAh. We also tested the battery life in different application scenarios. The test device's maximum battery runtime using minimum brightness and enabled energy saving mode was 18.5 hours. For this, a read script is processed in the benchmark. HTC's Windows Phone 8X only achieved just below 15 hours despite a bigger 1800 mAh battery. With its even smaller, strong 1440 mAh battery, Apple's iPhone 5 endurance runner easily outperforms all contenders (approx. 22 hours). The Lumia 820's 6.1 Wh battery finished the WP Bench load test in maximum brightness after almost 2 hours, which is standard for this device category. Our practical Wi-Fi test is performed in medium brightness, so 168 cd/m² in this case and using a browser script that opens a different website every 40 seconds. The Lumia 820 lasted for an impressive 12 hours, which is a whole 3 hours more than HTC's 8X. Apple's iPhone 5 and the Lumia 920 also accomplish considerably longer runtimes here. We ascertained a call time of roughly 6 hours via the UMTS network. The light, 54 gram PSU fully recharges the battery in a little over 3 hours. 

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
18h 30min
WiFi Surfing
12h 00min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 54min

Verdict

Nokia Lumia 820 Smartphone
Nokia Lumia 820 Smartphone

Nokia offers a decent midrange smartphone with its Lumia 820. The good build and rigid casing are compelling. The device scores with its high-contrast, relatively bright 4.3-inch touchscreen featuring a resolution of 480x800 pixels and a very good color reproduction. However, the brightness could be a bit higher for outdoor use. Other plus points are the intuitive, smooth operation and numerous Nokia apps. The components provide an appealing application performance alongside acceptable power consumption. The resulting battery runtimes reaped in a "Good" from us. The lush configuration, featuring a decent primary camera, NFC and LTE for all networks as well as dual-band Wi-Fi also belongs to the assets. The low gross storage capacity of 5 GB is countered by a micro SD card reader. One drawback of the Lumia 820 is that it does not belong to the lightest of its kind. Also, the high temperature development in load was noticed adversely. We also found the headset's unbalanced sound disappointing.

Ultimately, the Lumia 820 receives a purchase recommendation from us. Buyers who can live with the listed shortcomings will find a decent smartphone for 400 Euros (~$535) in the Lumia 820. It could have good chances on the market when Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 store has grown. 

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In Review: Nokia Lumia 820 Smartphone
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Specifications

Nokia Lumia 820 (Lumia Series)
Processor
Graphics adapter
Memory
1024 MB 
, onboard
Display
4.30 inch 15:9, 800 x 480 pixel, capacitive multi-touchscreen (multi-touch), ClearBlack AMOLED, glossy: yes
Storage
8 GB SSD, 8 GB 
, (net: ca. 5 GB), plus 7 GB online storage (SkyDrive)
Connections
1 USB 2.0, Audio Connections: 3.5 mm jack, Card Reader: microSDXC (max. 64 GB), Sensors: A-GPS, compass, accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, digitaler compass
Networking
802.11a/b/g/n (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth 3.0+EDR, HSPA+, GSM quad-band, WCDMA (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz) & LTE (700, 800, 850, 900, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2100, 2600 MHz)
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 9.9 x 123.8 x 68.5 ( = 0.39 x 4.87 x 2.7 in)
Battery
6 Wh Lithium-Ion, Nokia BP-5T w/ 1650 mAh, 3.7 V, Talk time 2G (according to manufacturer): 15.4 h, Talk time 3G (according to manufacturer): 8.1 h, Standby 2G (according to manufacturer): 360 h, Standby 3G (according to manufacturer): 360 h
Operating System
Microsoft Windows Phone 8
Camera
Webcam: 8.0 MP, 3264 x 2448 Pixel, Carl Zeiss lens, autofocus, 4x digital zoom, Geotagging, 1080p30 video, 0.3 MP front camera
Additional features
Speakers: mono speaker, Keyboard: Virtual, Nokia Care, City Compass, Maps, music, navigation, Microsoft Office, OneNote, Internet Explorer 10, 24 Months Warranty
Weight
159 g ( = 5.61 oz / 0.35 pounds), Power Supply: 54 g ( = 1.9 oz / 0.12 pounds)
Price
499 Euro

 

The included accessories are usual for the category.
The included accessories are usual for the category.
The Windows Phone App Store is slowly being filled.
The Windows Phone App Store is slowly being filled.
Nokia City Compass works with Augmented Reality.
Nokia City Compass works with Augmented Reality.
It supplies 1650 mAh.
It supplies 1650 mAh.
the SIM card and micro SD slot.
the SIM card and micro SD slot.
The removable battery hides
The removable battery hides
But the 0.3 MP front-facing camera is below average.
But the 0.3 MP front-facing camera is below average.
The 8 MP primary camera shoots decent pictures.
The 8 MP primary camera shoots decent pictures.
The legibility is very good.
The legibility is very good.
by tempered glass.
by tempered glass.
The screen is protected
The screen is protected
The minimum battery runtime is just below 2 hours.
The minimum battery runtime is just below 2 hours.

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Links

  • Manufacturer's information

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Pros

+Good workmanship
+High-def, 4.3 inch AMOLED screen
+Windows Phone 8 intuitive use
+Connectivity includes LTE, NFC, dual-band Wi-Fi
+Swift hardware
+Pleasant application speed
+Decent camera incl. LED
+Battery life
+2 year warranty
 

Cons

-Too heavy and unhandy in category comparison
-Middling headset
-Poor front-facing camera
-Temperature development during load

Shortcut

What we like

The available performance, the swift operating system and the proprietary apps that are installed free of charge.

What we'd like to see

The apps in Microsoft's store still have to grow strongly before it can compete with Android and iOS. Also a lower temperature development during load would be desirable.

What surprises us

The intuitive and fast use of Windows Phone 8 in the stylish Metro design.

The competition

Nokia's Lumia 820 does not yet have many contenders featuring Windows Phone 8 in the midrange sector. Among them, we find Nokia's own Lumia 920 premium model, HTC's somewhat smaller Windows Phone 8X and Samsung's identically equipped Ativ S. Buyers who can live with the older Windows Phone 7.5 operating system have more choice. For example, Nokia's Lumia 800 and 900 from the former generation are available for less money. The options increase considerably when Android and iOS are included. Google's Nexus 4 or even Apple's iPhone 5 would be possible alternatives.

Rating

Nokia Lumia 820 - 08/05/2013 v3(old)
Michael Moser

Chassis
86%
Keyboard
48%
Pointing Device
92%
Connectivity
40%
Weight
100%
Battery
95%
Display
87%
Games Performance
27%
Application Performance
50%
Temperature
82%
Noise
100%
Add Points
75%
Average
74%
86%
Smartphone - Weighted Average
Michael Moser, 2013-01-20 (Update: 2018-05-15)