Test drive: Nokia Lumia 920

The Nokia Lumia 920 isn't really a new phone in the market, considering that it was launched last year and was a winner of the Reader's Choice Smartphone of the Year in the Engadget Awards 2012. While I have heard rave reviews of the phone, I have personally never once tried a Windows phone as no one I know owns one, so when Nokia Singapore had a 3-days test-drive opened, I decided to give it a shot.

[For specifications:
http://www.nokia.com/sg-en/products/phone/lumia920/specifications/ ]

Getting the phone for test-drive was a hassle-free visit to the Nokia Koisk at Level 1 of Funan Digitalife Mall, although I was a little amused by how they handed me a key (to push the microSIM slot), a cable and a adapter and the phone itself without a bag or anything while going, "Do not lose the key ah,". Configuring the phone for first time usage took about 3mins or so, which was pretty slow but thankfully, subsequent start-up were much faster.

Front of the phone (in Cyan)

Back of the phone (with Carl Zeiss lenses)

The first thing that I realized about the Nokia Lumia 920 was that the phone was quite heavy in terms of weight. In comparison with the current phone that I am using (Samsung Note II), the Nokia Lumia 920 is slightly heavier although smaller in length. Battery life for this was pretty good too, considering it lasted me a good 2 full days of usage (on-off). My only gripe about it though was that after 5mins of constant usage playing games, the phone heats up really badly, a problem I don't really have with my Note II.

The Windows OS was pretty useful and easy to navigate around, although I didn't quite get used to it during 3 days. Calls made and received had good clarity even in crowded areas. However, what made me fall in love with the phone was really its camera functions. In low light conditions, it actually brightens the photo up with clarity and doesn't leave it grainy nor with strange colors. The anti-shake works really good too, because the problem I have with my Note II is that I am forever taking blurry pictures (even though Anti-shake is turned on). With the Lumia 920, I did not have such a problem. And to prove my point, this was a comparison photo that I made using the phones that my household currently own.

Priced at SGD $779, the phone now comes with a free wireless charging pad and for test-drive users, if you purchase it after 3 days of usage, you get a free pair of Monsters earphones too. Unfortunately, I just got my Note II earlier this year and don't see myself as wanting a new phone any time soon, so I'll pass on this offer.

In short:

Pros: Good camera, clarity in calls, and vibrancy
Cons: Heavy, heats up easily, Windows OS (?)

(PS: Please note that the above are just my thoughts on the phone after 3 days of usage. I am not endorsed by Nokia in any way.)

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