Nokia Lumia 920 review

The Nokia Lumia 920 is a big, brutish smartphone, but under that weighty exterior is a decent phone which just wants to do things the simple way.

Windows Phone 8 is an intriguing proposition offering up something very different to the iOS and Android systems we've become accustomed to and the Lumia 920 is currently the most powerful handset running it.

We liked

Simplicity is the key here, the Lumia 920 does the basics well, from contact integration and calling to web browsing and messaging.

The 8MP camera on the back of the Lumia 920 is one of the best we've used and for anyone looking to get a top end cameraphone you need to seriously consider this Nokia.

The 4.5-inch display is also a good'un, crisp and clear it makes watching movies, surfing the web or Facebook stalking an enjoyable experience.

We disliked

The sheer size and weight of the Nokia Lumia 920 will be a deal breaker for some and while we were able to adapt to the phone's bulky body, we had several friends who were not fans - check out the HTC 8X for a more pocket friendly mobile.

Once again battery life is a sticking point - you'll be lucky to get a whole day out of the Lumia 920 if you use it relatively frequently, but the wireless charging capabilities are a nice touch.

While the live tiles are easy to navigate, the flow within some applications may confuse some customers, especially those who are new to Windows Phone, and the lack of applications in the store will no doubt irk the power users out there.

Verdict

The Nokia Lumia 920 isn't a groundbreaking, game-changing device, it's a refreshed Lumia 900 with a newer operating system and some additional power.

That's not to say it's a bad phone. What Nokia has produced is a solid, well-built device which does the job you'd expect of a smartphone, without any of the lag we sometimes see from the convoluted Android system.

Windows Phone 8 offers up a very different user interface and we for one are pleased there's something going against the grain of Android and iOS – there's certainly space for a third OS in the market and at the moment WP8 is winning it.

While some will be put off with the size, weight and high price tag of the Lumia 920, it manages to keep pace with other big hitters such as the iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3 and HTC One X+.

It doesn't manage to beat any of these handsets, but the Nokia Lumia 920 is a worthy ambassador for Windows Phone 8 and if the Finnish firm continue to build and improve on this handset, it could well make a glorious return to the mobile market.