Nokia Lumia 520 Complete Specs Pricing and Review

Introduction

The Nokia Lumia 520 was one of the budget-friendly smartphones released by Nokia in 2013. As part of the Lumia series, it aimed to provide a cost-effective option for users interested in exploring the Windows Phone ecosystem without breaking the bank. Despite being marketed as a budget device, the Lumia 520 packed a number of features that were attractive for its price point at the time.

Design and Build Quality

The Lumia 520 sports a compact and robust design typical of Nokia's approach to smartphone aesthetics in the early 2010s. Measuring 119.9 x 64 x 9.9 mm and weighing 124 grams, it felt comfortable in hand and easy to handle with its plastic frame and back. The phone was available in a variety of vibrant colors including yellow, red, cyan, white, and black, allowing users to choose a device that suited their personal style.

Display

Featuring a 4.0-inch IPS LCD screen, the Lumia 520 provided a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of around 233 pixels per inch. While not the sharpest display by today's standards, the color reproduction and brightness were commendable for its category. The inclusion of scratch-resistant glass added a layer of durability to the display, contributing to the overall robustness of the handset.

Performance

At the heart of the Lumia 520 was a Qualcomm MSM8227 chipset with a dual-core 1.0 GHz processor, aided by an Adreno 305 GPU. This hardware setup delivered a respectable performance for everyday tasks such as browsing, calling, and using social media apps, although more resource-intensive activities and multitasking were somewhat limited by the modest 512 MB of RAM.

Storage and Expandability

The Lumia 520 came with 8 GB of internal storage, which could be expanded up to 64 GB via a microSD card slot. This expansion capability was a significant advantage for users wishing to store more photos, music, and apps without worrying too much about running out of space on the device.

Camera

The phone featured a single 5 MP rear camera with an aperture of f/2.4 and autofocus capabilities. While the camera did not include LED flash or advanced features found in higher-end models, it was capable of capturing decent photos in well-lit conditions and could record 720p video at 30 fps. Unfortunately, the Lumia 520 did not feature a front-facing camera, which limited its use for selfies and video calls.

Battery Life

Powering the Lumia 520 was a 1430 mAh removable Li-Ion battery. The phone boasted a talk time of up to 14 hours 40 minutes on 2G networks and up to 9 hours 40 minutes on 3G networks. On standby, it lasted up to 360 hours on 3G. For music enthusiasts, it could play music non-stop for up to 61 hours. These figures, along with its endurance rating of 49 hours, highlighted its capability to keep users connected throughout a standard day of use without frequent charging.

Operating System

Running on the Microsoft Windows Phone 8 operating system, the Lumia 520 was upgradeable to Windows Phone 8.1. The operating system was known for its smooth performance and user-friendly interface, appealing particularly to those seeking an alternative to the more prevalent iOS and Android platforms. The OS came with Live Tiles, which provided dynamic updates directly on the home screen and integrated services from Microsoft, including Office and Outlook.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Lumia 520 supported various connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and LE, GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS positioning, and FM radio. While it did not support NFC, it featured a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. The inclusion of essential sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor ensured that it could handle basic smartphone tasks competently.

Audio and Media

The Lumia 520 provided a satisfactory audio experience with its loudspeaker and 3.5mm headphone jack. Its audio quality was notable for its class, with noise levels at -82.3 dB and crosstalk at -81.8 dB. It was well-equipped to handle calls and media playback, making it a practical choice for users interested in music and audio content.

Conclusion

The Nokia Lumia 520 demonstrated that affordable smartphones could deliver an enjoyable and functional user experience without compromising on necessary features. Between its solid build, expandability, and capable performance of essential tasks, it won over many users seeking value for money. While current technology has vastly surpassed the specifications of the Lumia 520, its release was a noteworthy milestone for budget-conscious consumers entering the smartphone world in 2013 and looking to experience the Windows Phone ecosystem.