Nokia Lumia 525 – Unboxing and hands on with the low-cost 1 GB Windows Phone
Taking a look at Nokia's problem-solving Lumia 525
Last year, Nokia introduced the Lumia 520, a lost-cost solution to those who want a Windows Phone in emerging markets. As it turns out, demand was much higher than anyone anticipated. Nearly a year later and the 520 is one of the best-selling Windows Phones around. It’s a great low-risk way to experience Windows Phone and it opens the door to higher end options. But if the Lumia 520 had one flaw, it was the amount of RAM.
Windows Phone 8 can run easily on 512 MB devices, but some higher end games (and a handful of apps) need some good memory optimization before they can run smoothly. That usually happens, but it can take months after the initial release. Microsoft is confident this will go away as developers target 512 MB devices in the future, but up until now, there hasn’t been a low-cost 1 GB Lumia to get around this problem.
Lumia 525 Specifications
- Windows Phone 8 with Update 3 (10517) and Lumia Black
- 4-inch IPS LCD display, Sunlight readability, Lumia Color Profile, double-tap to wake
- 8 GB of internal storage (4.5 GB available), micro SD expansion
- 1 GB of RAM
- 1 GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU
- 5 MP rear camera, no flash (no front facing camera)
- Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- 1430 mAh battery
As mentioned above, the Lumia 525 is nearly identical to the Lumia 520. Nearly. There are a few changes, which are all for the better:
- Glossy, interchangeable back covers, instead of matte
- Double-tap to wake is now available (also on the AT&T Lumia 520, but not many others)
- Display seems slicker to the touch
Other notable changes include a non-embossed logo on the back and slightly more recessed side keys.
Although on paper the devices are quite similar, I think the glossy back adds a little more pizazz to the Lumia 525, making it feel more high-end. Due to its size, it’s not slippery and it stays in my hand with ease. The Lumia 525’s display appears less sticky to use when compared to the Lumia 520, and whites are a tad more accurate.
The 5 MP is unremarkable, but in daylight performs quite nicely with pronounced sharpness (see above sample photo). For an entry level phone, users should be pleased.
