Nokia Lumia 900 Complete Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Nokia Lumia 900

The Nokia Lumia 900 was a flagship smartphone released by Nokia in early 2012. As a prominent member of the Lumia family, it played a pivotal role in Nokia's partnership with Microsoft to rejuvenate their smartphone lineup using the Windows Phone operating system. With its sleek design, advanced features, and competitive specifications, the Lumia 900 marked a significant step forward for Nokia in the smartphone market.

Design and Build Quality

The Lumia 900 boasted a distinctive and robust design that drew admiration from both consumers and critics. Featuring dimensions of 127.8 x 68.5 x 11.5 mm and a weight of 160 g, it offered a solid feel in hand while maintaining an elegant appearance. The device was available in a range of vibrant colors, including black, cyan, white, and magenta, appealing to a broad audience.

The polycarbonate unibody design was not only durable but also contributed to the phone's premium feel. The use of Corning Gorilla Glass as the display protection added an extra layer of durability against scratches and impacts, which was a welcomed feature for many users.

Display

The Nokia Lumia 900 featured a 4.3-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 217 ppi. Although not the sharpest display by today's standards, it was quite impressive for its time, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, which were characteristic of AMOLED technology.

The screen's performance in bright sunlight was commendable, providing a contrast ratio that facilitated comfortable outdoor usage. This was essential for users who relied on their phones in various lighting conditions.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Lumia 900 was powered by a Qualcomm APQ8055 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno 205 GPU. This hardware configuration enabled smooth operation of the Windows Phone 7.5 Mango operating system, delivering a fluid user experience.

With 512MB of RAM, the Lumia 900 handled multitasking adequately, though it was somewhat limited compared to the evolving demands of modern apps and operating systems. The internal storage of 16GB, while generous for its time, lacked expandability due to the absence of a card slot, which may have been a downside for users requiring more space.

Camera Capabilities

The Lumia 900 was equipped with a rear 8 MP camera featuring Carl Zeiss optics and a dual-LED flash, making it a competitive choice for photography enthusiasts. The camera's autofocus capabilities, coupled with its optics, allowed for capturing clear and detailed images across various lighting conditions.

For video enthusiasts, the rear camera supported 720p video recording at 30fps. On the front, the device housed a 1 MP camera, capable of VGA video recording, sufficient for video calls and basic selfies.

Software and Ecosystem

Running on Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, the Lumia 900 provided a unique user interface characterized by live tiles and a simple, intuitive design. The operating system was well-optimized to run smoothly on the hardware, although the app ecosystem was more limited when compared to Android and iOS, affecting user choice in app availability.

The seamless integration with Microsoft services, such as Outlook, Office, and SkyDrive (now OneDrive), made the Lumia 900 an appealing option for users invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Connectivity and Networking

The Lumia 900 supported various connectivity options, including GSM / HSPA network technologies. The device was compatible with 2G and 3G bands - GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100, providing reliable communication capabilities.

For wireless connectivity, the phone featured Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, and GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS support. These features ensured users could stay connected and navigate with ease.

Battery Life and Endurance

Equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 1830 mAh battery, the Lumia 900 offered decent battery endurance for its time. In 2G networks, the device provided up to 300 hours of standby time, with up to 7 hours of talk time. Similarly, on 3G networks, it offered comparable battery life.

For audio playback enthusiasts, the phone could deliver up to 60 hours of music playtime, catering to users who prioritized media consumption.

Audio and Multimedia

The Lumia 900 featured a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with a wide array of audio accessories. The device's audio output was rated at voice 70dB, noise 68dB, and ring 75dB, providing solid sound quality for calls and media playback.

The inclusion of stereo FM radio with RDS added to the multimedia experience, allowing users to enjoy live radio broadcasts.

Sensors and Additional Features

The device included a suite of sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing its usability across various applications and services. These sensors enabled features like auto-rotate and location-based services, contributing to a richer user experience.

Market Impact and Legacy

Despite facing fierce competition from Android and iOS smartphones, the Nokia Lumia 900 managed to carve its niche market. Its build quality, design, and tie-in with Microsoft's services appealed to a segment of users loyal to the brand and those interested in an alternative to the existing smartphone giants.

While the device hasn't been in production since its discontinuation, its influence endures in the ways it showcased the synergy between Nokia's hardware expertise and Microsoft's software capabilities. The lessons from the Lumia 900 have contributed to the evolution of future smartphone designs and collaborations.