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Whilst the Nokia Lumia 1320 is a perfectly capable phone, it's essentially just a chunkier and all-round less desirable version of the Nokia Lumia 1520, and I'm not sure that's good enough.
With a number of merely average components and a price tag that's not as cheap as it should be, it's tough to see who the Nokia Lumia 1320 will appeal to.
We liked
That 6-inch display is big, bright, and sharp enough to show off an expanded Windows Phone 8 OS in all its colourful glory.
Despite such an in-your-face screen, the Lumia 1320 is a real power sipper, making it well suited to long-haul public transport trips. Download the Xbox Video app and you're laughing.
While its 5MP camera is quite ordinary compared to others in the Nokia stable, it's a reasonably capable – and appreciably snappy – unit that can be depended upon in a pinch.
We disliked
The Lumia 1320's build quality isn't quite up to Nokia's usual standards, with a cheap-feeling rear plastic cover that's prone to creakiness.
While the 6-inch 720p display is more capable than I was expecting, Windows Phone 8 still doesn't seem to have caught up. It's poorly optimised for the whole phablet form factor.
With the Lumia 1520 now within a similar price range to the Lumia 1320, its whole reason for continued existence seems questionable.
Verdict
The Nokia Lumia 1320 is positioned as budget alternative to the all-powerful Nokia Lumia 1520, but there's a problem. The Nokia Lumia 1520 has dropped in price significantly, making the 1320 seem surplus to requirements.
Comparisons aside, it's an extremely hefty phone that lacks Nokia's usual design flair, with a workmanlike plastic construction that's prone to creaking.
This middle-of-the road feeling continues with its underwhelming processor, average camera, and lack of any stand-out software that really marks the Lumia 1320 out as unique.
You'll be getting a strong Windows Phone 8 experience here, but that can be had for less money and in a more desirable package these days.
First reviewed: March 2014
