Price and specifications of Nokia Lumia 1320 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build

The Nokia Lumia 1320, introduced in late 2013 and officially released in January 2014, carries the signature design aesthetics of Nokia's Lumia series. With dimensions of 164.2 x 85.9 x 9.8 mm and weighing 220 grams, it's a robust device that's certainly more on the phablet side, given its 6-inch display size. The Lumia 1320 features a sturdy polycarbonate body that is both durable and appealing. Its smooth curves and brightly colored options (yellow, white, black, red) make it stand out in a crowd. The device employs a Micro-SIM slot and comes protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, ensuring good resistance against scratches and moderate falls.

Display

The Lumia 1320 boasts an IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, offering vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. With a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, the display provides a pixel density of approximately 245 ppi. This ensures that while the screen is large, images and text remain crisp and clear. The screen-to-body ratio is about 70.4%, which makes for an immersive viewing experience. The addition of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 further enhances durability, making it suitable for daily wear and tear.

Performance

Under the hood, the Nokia Lumia 1320 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8230AB Snapdragon 400 for the 3G model and MSM8930AB Snapdragon 400 for the LTE model. Featuring a dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 CPU and Adreno 305 GPU, it provides a seamless user experience, suitable for everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, and light gaming. While the 1GB RAM may seem underpowered by today's standards, at the time of its release, it was sufficient for the device's operating system and typical user applications.

Operating System

The Lumia 1320 runs on Microsoft Windows Phone 8, with an upgradable path to 8.1. The Windows Phone OS is known for its unique tile-based interface, providing a refreshing change from the typical iOS or Android interfaces. It focuses on providing fluidity and ease of use, and even though the app ecosystem wasn't as extensive as its competitors, it included essential productivity tools and popular social media applications that were optimized for Windows Phone.

Camera

On the rear, the Lumia 1320 is equipped with a 5 MP camera featuring an f/2.4 aperture, 28mm wide lens, and autofocus capabilities. It also includes an LED flash that supports low-light photography. While it may not compete with high-end camera phones, it is adequate for casual photography, offering photo and 1080p video recording at 30fps. The front-facing VGA camera, though modest, is practical for basic selfies and video calls.

Battery Life

The device is fitted with a beefy Li-Ion 3400 mAh battery, which is non-removable. It provides substantial longevity, allowing up to 672 hours on standby (both 2G and 3G), up to 25 hours of talk time on 2G, and up to 21 hours on 3G. Music lovers can enjoy playback for up to 98 hours. The battery endurance is rated at 75 hours, making it a reliable option for users who need their phone to last through extensive daily use without frequent charging.

Storage and Memory

The Lumia 1320 offers 8GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 64GB via a dedicated microSDXC card slot. While the internal storage might limit the number of apps and large files, the expandability provides users with a reprieve for additional data storage. The 1GB RAM facilitates decent multitasking capabilities, suitable for handling the Windows Phone interface and basic applications smoothly.

Connectivity

The phone supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring good connectivity options for most geographical locations. It offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for fast internet access, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, EDR, and LE for seamless pairing with other devices, GPS with GLONASS for precise location tracking, and an FM radio for on-the-go entertainment. Though it lacks NFC, which was gaining popularity at the time, it does feature microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer.

Audio and Sensors

The Nokia Lumia 1320 comes equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering decent sound quality. Its audio performance features noise levels of -89.1dB and crosstalk of -88.6dB. In terms of sensors, it includes an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing the device's functionality in various applications and use cases.

Market Positioning and Availability

At the time of its release, the Lumia 1320 was priced around 210 EUR, positioning it as an affordable phablet option. It catered to users looking for a large-screen device at a reasonable price point while providing access to the Windows Phone ecosystem. Discontinued now, it remains a part of Nokia's legacy in the smartphone market, remembered for its vibrant design and long-lasting battery life.

Conclusion

The Nokia Lumia 1320 epitomizes Nokia's dedication to creating durable, user-friendly devices with a touch of vibrant style. It offers a comprehensive package for those who require a larger screen for media consumption, backed by a reliable battery. Despite its eventual discontinuation, the Lumia 1320 holds a special place in the history of Windows Phones, representing a period of transition and experimentation in smartphone technology.