Nokia Lumia Series: Key Models and Specs Overview

Nokia Lumia 800/920/1020/950/950 XL/520/625/720/925/1520

Definition: The listed models are key members of Nokia’s Lumia smartphone lineup (2012–2015), powered by Microsoft’s Windows Phone/Windows 10 Mobile operating systems. Targeting diverse segments—from budget entry-level (520/625/720) to flagship camera/performance devices (920/1020/950 XL)—these phones blended Nokia’s hardware engineering with Microsoft’s mobile ecosystem, marking Nokia’s final chapter in smartphone innovation before selling its mobile division to Microsoft in 2014. The Lumia series was celebrated for durable builds, standout cameras (especially the 41 MP Lumia 1020), and accessible pricing, though it ultimately struggled against Android and iOS dominance.

Core Technical Specifications Comparison

Model	Launch Year	Target Segment	Key Specs Highlights
Nokia Lumia 800	2011 (released 2012)	Mid-range	3.7-inch AMOLED (800×480), 1.4 GHz single-core Snapdragon S2, 512 MB RAM/16 GB storage, 8 MP rear camera (Carl Zeiss optics), Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, polycarbonate unibody, 1450 mAh battery
Nokia Lumia 520	2013	Budget entry-level	4.0-inch IPS LCD (800×480), 1.0 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Play, 512 MB RAM/8 GB storage (microSD up to 64 GB), 5 MP rear camera, Windows Phone 8, 1430 mAh battery, best-selling Lumia ever (over 12 million units)
Nokia Lumia 720	2013	Mid-range lifestyle	4.3-inch IPS LCD (800×480), 1.0 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus, 512 MB RAM/8 GB storage (microSD up to 64 GB), 6.7 MP rear camera (Carl Zeiss, f/1.9 low-light focus), 1 MP front camera, Windows Phone 8, 2000 mAh battery, NFC
Nokia Lumia 625	2013	Budget 4G	4.7-inch IPS LCD (800×480), 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus, 512 MB RAM/8 GB storage (microSD up to 64 GB), 5 MP rear camera, Windows Phone 8, first Lumia with 4G LTE, 2000 mAh battery
Nokia Lumia 920	2012	Flagship	4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ IPS LCD (1280×768, 332 PPI), 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Pro, 1 GB RAM/32 GB storage, 8.7 MP rear camera (PureView, OIS, Carl Zeiss), Windows Phone 8, wireless charging (Qi), 2000 mAh battery, revolutionary low-light photography
Nokia Lumia 925	2013	Flagship (metal variant)	4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ IPS LCD (1280×768), 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Pro, 1 GB RAM/16/32 GB storage (microSD up to 64 GB), 8.7 MP PureView camera (OIS, Carl Zeiss), Windows Phone 8, aluminum frame (lightweight vs. 920’s polycarbonate), 2000 mAh battery
Nokia Lumia 1020 (EOS)	2013	Camera flagship	4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ IPS LCD (1280×768), 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2 GB RAM/32/64 GB storage, 41 MP rear camera (PureView, OIS, Carl Zeiss, 1/1.5” sensor, 6x optical zoom), Windows Phone 8, 2000 mAh battery, optional camera grip accessory (adds OIS and extra battery)
Nokia Lumia 1520	2013	Phablet flagship	6.0-inch PureMotion HD+ IPS LCD (1920×1080, 368 PPI), 2.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800, 2 GB RAM/16/32/64 GB storage (microSD up to 128 GB), 20 MP PureView camera (OIS, Carl Zeiss), Windows Phone 8, 3400 mAh battery, first Lumia phablet
Nokia Lumia 950	2015	Windows 10 Mobile flagship	5.2-inch AMOLED (2560×1440, 564 PPI), 2.0 GHz hexa-core Snapdragon 808, 3 GB RAM/32 GB storage (microSD up to 2 TB), 20 MP PureView camera (OIS, Carl Zeiss, 4K video), Windows 10 Mobile, 3000 mAh removable battery, Qi wireless charging, USB-C
Nokia Lumia 950 XL	2015	Windows 10 Mobile phablet flagship	5.7-inch AMOLED (2560×1440, 518 PPI), 2.0 GHz octa-core Snapdragon 810, 3 GB RAM/32 GB storage (microSD up to 2 TB), 20 MP PureView camera (OIS, Carl Zeiss, 4K video), Windows 10 Mobile, 3340 mAh removable battery, Qi wireless charging, USB-C, Continuum mode (desktop experience via external display)

Key Model-Specific Innovations & Selling Points

1. Flagship Camera Pioneers

Lumia 920: Revolutionized mobile photography with PureView technology and optical image stabilization (OIS), delivering industry-leading low-light shots without flash. It also introduced wireless charging to the Lumia lineup, setting a premium benchmark for Windows Phone devices.
Lumia 1020 (EOS): The iconic 41 MP camera phone—its 1/1.5” sensor and 6x optical zoom (via pixel binning) captured unrivaled detail for its era, producing 5 MP “oversampled” photos with exceptional sharpness. The optional camera grip accessory added a physical shutter button and extended battery life, appealing to photography enthusiasts.
Lumia 1520: Nokia’s first phablet combined a 6-inch 1080p display with a 20 MP PureView camera and Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, balancing large-screen productivity with flagship imaging.

2. Budget-Friendly Workhorses

Lumia 520: The best-selling Lumia of all time (12M+ units) offered Windows Phone 8 at a sub-$200 price point, targeting first-time smartphone users and emerging markets. Its durable polycarbonate build and smooth performance made it a staple for budget consumers.
Lumia 625: The first Lumia with 4G LTE connectivity, making high-speed mobile internet accessible to budget users. Its 4.7-inch display also catered to users seeking a larger screen without a flagship price tag.
Lumia 720: A lifestyle-focused mid-range model with a f/1.9 aperture camera (wide for low-light performance) and a slim, lightweight design. It was popular among young users for its vibrant color options and NFC support for mobile payments.

3. Windows 10 Mobile Flagships (Final Lumias)

Lumia 950/950 XL: The last Lumia flagships before Nokia’s mobile division exit, running Windows 10 Mobile. Key features included Continuum mode (turning the phone into a desktop PC via an external display), USB-C connectivity, removable batteries, and 20 MP PureView cameras with 4K video recording. The 950 XL’s Snapdragon 810 chip delivered top-tier performance, though it suffered from thermal throttling under heavy load.

Universal Limitations & Market Challenges

Windows Phone Ecosystem Weakness: The Lumia lineup’s biggest flaw was the limited app ecosystem compared to Android and iOS. Popular apps (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat) had delayed or missing Windows Phone versions, and developers prioritized other platforms, leading to a lack of user engagement.
Hardware Constraints: Early Lumias (800/520/720) had low-resolution displays (800×480) and limited RAM (512 MB), which hindered multitasking and app performance as Windows Phone evolved.
Software Support Shortfalls: Windows 10 Mobile updates were slow to roll out, and Microsoft eventually discontinued the OS in 2017, leaving Lumia users with no further security patches or feature updates.
Design Sameness: Most Lumias relied on polycarbonate unibody designs, which were durable but criticized for feeling cheap compared to the metal/glass builds of Android/iOS flagships (the Lumia 925’s aluminum frame was a rare exception).

Release & Market Performance

Launch Timeline: The Lumia series spanned 2011–2015, with peak sales in 2013–2014 (driven by the 520, 1020, and 1520). The 950/950 XL launched in late 2015 as Nokia’s swan song.
Pricing: Budget models (520/625) started at ~$150 unlocked; mid-range models (720/800) at ~$250; flagships (920/1020/1520) at ~$500–$700; 950/950 XL at ~$550–$650.
Sales Highlights: The Lumia 520 was the best-selling model (12M+ units), while the 1020 became a cult classic among photography enthusiasts. However, overall Lumia sales never surpassed 10% of global smartphone market share, trailing far behind Android and iOS.
Discontinuation: Microsoft rebranded Lumia devices as “Microsoft Lumia” after the 2014 acquisition, but the line was phased out by 2017 as Windows 10 Mobile failed to gain traction.

Legacy

The Nokia Lumia series is remembered as a bold but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to challenge Android/iOS dominance with a unique hardware-software combination. Its PureView camera technology set benchmarks for mobile photography that influenced future smartphone cameras, while the budget Lumias proved Windows Phone could compete in emerging markets. For enthusiasts, the Lumia 1020 remains a sought-after collector’s item for its 41 MP camera, and the 950 XL is celebrated as the last true Windows Phone flagship with Continuum mode innovation.