Nokia Lumia 1020 review: View from the top

21 September 2013
PureView is on its way down in history and while we loved the Nokia 808, it will be the Lumia 1020 that makes the name more than a footnote. With a modern OS and improved design of both the camera and the...

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  • AnonD-81729
  • kg3
  • 22 Sep 2013

Here is the conclusion by GSM

"Just like the still images, the videos produced by the Lumia 1020 are beyond the capabilities of any other smartphone on the market"

It trumps the competitions in photo, video, and (audio recording too because of high amplitude mics)

    • D
    • AnonD-124464
    • IVZ
    • 22 Sep 2013

    This. Definitely. Going to be my next phone.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • P%e
      • 22 Sep 2013

      This is a wonderful farewell from Nokia. I believe while their business decisions were terrible lately that is a problem of their management which sunk the company. The technology they had was often amazing and 1020 shows it off better than any other phone.

        • /
        • /u/thefung
        • qRv
        • 22 Sep 2013

        Thank you so much for that conclusion. This review was so well written and I hope it will help others remember Nokia's last hurrah. The ending almost brought a tear to my eye. I will always remember that description, "one last view from the top".

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          • AnonD-167223
          • XuI
          • 22 Sep 2013

          Anonymous, 22 Sep 2013I think a blind test is in order, downscale photos from all... moreAre you high......The only problem with 1020 is downsampling processing,if you'll compare the 5mp downsampled images processed by pc software,then other phones won't even stand a chance....

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • 2SU
            • 22 Sep 2013

            Anonymous, 22 Sep 2013I think a blind test is in order, downscale photos from all... moreYes, it won't be near the top. It will be *at* the top with the rest many miles behind.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • Kg$
              • 22 Sep 2013

              I think a blind test is in order, downscale photos from all current flagships to 5mp and see which people like the most. Spoiler: Lumia 1020 will not be near the top.

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                • AnonD-83587
                • JAR
                • 22 Sep 2013

                I noticed they used pinch to zoom while recording video. Do you, gsmarena, know you can zokm in and out just like 808 can with one finger swipe verticaly on display??

                  • D
                  • AnonD-70078
                  • nxM
                  • 22 Sep 2013

                  Very nice review gsm . But you made it sound like Nokia is going out on a high. One must remember that Nokia will always be working in the background. I can only hope Microsoft take this one division of Nokia and take it to greater heights.
                  They have 10years to work it.
                  Hail to the king of mobile. Nokia.
                  If it hadn't of been for Nokia we would still be holding are we plain mobs. As for the premium htc device , its bloody awful. Felt more like tin to me.
                  Sony has silly little flaps that will in time weaken and will loose its waterproof trade mark. Apple is already slipping on the moss covered ladder. Samsung at top but only way is down. As for android its ok but not the most secure devices.
                  I see Windows as an opening to the world and in time every one will want to look through.
                  Lumia 1020 will not be the one that got away for me. My Black one arrives on Wednesday . Whooooomhooooooo. I went for Black because the camera is far more discreet. If i walked through Belfast big yellow one I'd get robbed lol.
                  Looking onward to 8.1 update on phone. Will be like a mini pc in your pocket. And intregation of wp8 and Rt will see more apps also in one go.
                  Love Nokia, love Windows.

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                    • AnonD-189083
                    • 2SU
                    • 22 Sep 2013

                    AnonD-77434, 22 Sep 2013I'll get 1020 soon, but honstely the camera quality is crap... moreDude, it definitely isn't crap compared to the 808. They both have their advantages and disadvantages when compared against each other. Even Damian Dinning loves the 1020 more.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-189083
                      • 2SU
                      • 22 Sep 2013

                      Anonymous, 22 Sep 2013I'm saying the 1080p video at night looks bad i'm not sayin... moreSee this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4N_CliHGUk
                      The iphone 5s gets destroyed by the 1020 in night time video taking.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • Hx6
                        • 22 Sep 2013

                        RambaSamba, 22 Sep 2013You really understand 41MP + 5MP photo takes handsome amoun... moreI'm saying the 1080p video at night looks bad i'm not saying 1020 camera it's bad!. Check the YouTube there's an famous Italian reviewer that compare all these high ends phones camera in all lights condition, i saw the IPhone 5s, Note 3 and Xperia Z1 low light 1080 p all those phones looks better than 1020 in low light 1080 p video. I still prefer the PV 808.

                          • D
                          • AnonD-77434
                          • fk6
                          • 22 Sep 2013

                          I'll get 1020 soon, but honstely the camera quality is crap comparing to 808 Pureview (my exist device)...I hope Nokia dos something towards that via updates :(

                            • D
                            • AnonD-122899
                            • ucA
                            • 22 Sep 2013

                            Anonymous, 22 Sep 2013Who will buy this expensive crap just for the camera ? Seve... moreYou really have no idea what Nokia has in its sleeves for camera phones eh? If you need quick successive shots, use smart cam app, is just like any bust mode camera functions on Android. But if you want 5mp photos, and quick shot to shot, just use the built in camera. For professional shots, Nokia pro cam. There are lots of choices, Mr anonymous...

                              • l
                              • layman
                              • k2e
                              • 22 Sep 2013

                              Brilliant coverage and fantastic review! I wish I could one of this giant.!

                                • D
                                • AnonD-161447
                                • uvs
                                • 22 Sep 2013

                                RambaSamba, 22 Sep 2013You really understand 41MP + 5MP photo takes handsome amoun... moreZ1 and others have faster processors,just stating a fact.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-189083
                                  • 2SU
                                  • 22 Sep 2013

                                  Anonymous, 22 Sep 20131020 video shoot in low light just crap.LOL .. No it's not. It's the best quality produced by any phone(along with the 808 of course). Nothing else comes close to it's oversampled videos. And the lossless zooming. And the rich recording...

                                    • n
                                    • nabkawe
                                    • 3Cd
                                    • 22 Sep 2013

                                    Anonymous, 22 Sep 20131020 video shoot in low light just crap.too bad your comment is false
                                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4N_CliHGUk

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-51996
                                      • 0ZJ
                                      • 22 Sep 2013

                                      Just imagine Nokia Lumia 1020 with Android and a Snapdragon 800(camera would be faster) and this is being said by a Lumia 920 owner who is happy with it... Too bad that we will never see a Nokia runing on Android...

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-189342
                                        • LiP
                                        • 22 Sep 2013

                                        You don't upload a 41MP photo but a 5 MP photo.And the phone does it for you.And you can play FM radio on speakers.You only have to connect your headphones as it uses it as an antenna.GSMarena,I don't know if you didn't figure this out or maybe you forgot-to exit IE you don't have to go back all the way to the first page.Simply press the three dots in the bottom right corner,choose tabs and close it.Next time you press back button it will close the IE.
                                        Respect to Nokia.Thankfully the Innovations department remains...So don't think you won't have Nokia phones.You only won't see their logo on them.