Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.
iStock_Kluva_FI

Review: Nokia Lumia 820 Windows 8 phone

by
3rd Apr 2013
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

With all the fuss and hype centering around iPhones and Androids, it's easy to see how the Windows phone can get lost in the mire. 

However, I found myself warming to the Nokia Lumia 820 as soon as I turned it on (as soon as I comically stopped groping the handset, trying to find the 'on' button, located on the right-hand side). 

It's 4G ready, for those fortunate enough to be in 4G areas, includes an 8.7 megapixel camera, 4,3" display, 8GB of internal memory and, as you've probably guessed, runs off Windows 8.

On the outside, it looks pretty standard, if a little on the large side. But for those who like wide screens and tablet-like displays, it's a good call. You probably won't be walking anywhere with it in your back pocket, though.

The main menu or 'Live Tiles', which change according to what's happening on social media, for example in the news and weather, is pretty vibrant, with utilities laid out in bold coloured blocks. 

Apps pre-installed include Microsoft Office, with Skydrive, Outlook, Office 365 and capabilities to look at Powerpoint, Excel and Word documents clearly and easily. 

For city-explorers, it includes Nokia city lens, a quick snapshot of sights, shopping, hotels, food and transport at various locations. 

The camera, at 8.7mp, is pretty decent, clear-cut and includes a handy feature, smart shoot, which takes a series of shots with one click (much like the sports function on an SLR) minus any blurs. 

Other apps include Nokia drive, which (in my opinion) eradicates the need for a TomTom, Nokia Music and Nokia transport. Apps can be bought from Windows phone marketplace, or the Nokia app store.

What I really liked, as a gamer, is the pre-loaded connection to your Xbox Live account, with a capability to buy games, use your account and transfer music, podcasts and videos. 

The whole phone, including hardware and software interface feels very sleek and unique, and I didn't experience any bugs or crashes while using any of the apps.

While it may draw fans of the 'reliable' Nokia brand, those who work with Microsoft Office a lot and perhaps even hardcore Xbox 360 fans as customers, the phone lacks anything mightily unique to set the market on fire. 

In saying that, it is worth a try. I certainly wouldn't turn one down or rule one out of the running when or if choosing a new handset. Sometimes a change from the norm can be exactly what you need - and the Nokia brand always makes me nostalgic for my very first handset, the wonderful 3210, complete with the ever-famous snake. 

Nokia Lumia 820

● Microsoft Office at your fingertips
● 4G-ready
● Runs off Windows 8

What we didn’t like

● Phone is large and bulky
● Not much else, actually!

For more info, visit Vodafone.co.uk

Vodafone UK BusinessThis review was conducted using a trial Vodafone UK Business packageThe Nokia Lumia 820 is available on monthly plans from £29.

Tags:

Replies (3)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By hyena1000
03rd Apr 2013 16:09

windows phone
I would say you should really have reviewed the nokia 920 against the iphone you are comparing it to or the HTC 8x which is far cheaper than the iphone

I would say the advantages (920) are :

1. fast, modern, stable OS (ios really looking very tired)
2. great build quality and funky modern looks
3. fabulous low light camera (best around by far)
4. hardware image stabilisation gives great video shots without the video judder smartphone video usually has
5. the inbuilt nokia apps are some of the best on any platform .. free nokia music is supers as is free nokia maps and drive ... with google pulling the plug on its maps for ios nokia maps is a great alternative ios doesnt have
7. decent battery life on full pelt compared to the iphone5 etc

disadvantages

1. its heavy
2. unless you have big hands its pretty bulky (necesary for the hardware camera image stabilization mechanism to fit in the funky plastic body)
3. like the iphone and many android smartphone(not the Sammy Galaxy S3/4) , you cant replace the battery
4. there are a handfull of key apps not on windows phone yet that are on ios/android
5. no vpn on windows phone YET - come on MS this makes it useless for business or using the wifi in public wifi hotspots

note I.R.O the size having a large screen is far better for using office (fr better than the iphone for example) but the downside is you cant exactly tuck it in your jeans pocket

Thanks (0)
By A mum and an accountant
03rd Apr 2013 21:08

I'm due an upgrade soon
And I can't decide which phone to get. I love Microsoft Office and I'm fairly nostalgic about Nokia and I wanted a big screen although I was thinking of Samsung Galaxy Note II for the size of the screen. So now I've got another phone to throw into the mix....

Thanks (0)
Replying to Kernowlive:
avatar
By hyena1000
05th Apr 2013 14:24

make sure you check yourself out in the mirror calling with the Note 2 first its huge !  .. i know a lot of older business ppl that carry this around as well as a phone purely becuase its a huge screen and their eyes are getting old !

Android doesnt have MS office on it only windows phone

if you want a smartphone for calling and data then i would audition the Nokia 920 (nokia drive and maps are great value added as is MS office), Samsung Galaxy 4 (so thats the 4 ie the new model just out) and of course the iphone 5 (be aware a new slightly updated model is coming soon so better to wait for this if you can)

I have the nokia 920 in funky red (or i should say had until my eldest niece grabbed it for herself) so i'm back to an old windows phone 7 until my new one arrives, as i say though be aware the nokia is bulkier and heavier than the sammy 4 or iphone5

the nokia 920 camera is amazing though in low light .. and i do love windows phone o/s :-)

in respect of the 820 .. the mobile networks are knocking the HTC 8x out for the same price as the 820 and its a far far better windows phone smartphone (920 peer) so i would go for the 8x rather than the 820

 

 

 

 

Thanks (0)