Have more fun with the Nokia Lumia 520

Published by Boc Ly on February 25, 2013

The new Nokia Lumia 520 offers compelling evidence of Nokia’s philosophy that buying an affordable smartphone shouldn’t mean compromising on the experience.

In our humble opinion, this Windows Phone 8 device delivers the best overall experiences of any smartphone in its range.

It is the perfect choice for people looking to upgrade to Lumia and to Windows Phone and wanting a taste of some of that high-end innovation.

Nokia Lumia 520

Digital Lenses for fun imaging

The Nokia Lumia 520’s five-megapixel autofocus camera adds a touch of fun to taking pictures with Nokia’s digital camera lenses.

Cinemagraph brings pictures to life with animation and allows you to easily share the fun with friends on Facebook, Twitter or via email.

Smart Shoot takes multiple group pictures with a single click allowing you to choose the best expression for the perfect shot or even remove people altogether.

The Panorama lens provides an easy way to capture super-wide-angled photos of any beautiful scene.

With 8GB internal memory – double most smartphones in this price range – and support for micro SD cards up to 64GB you can be sure to have more memory for storing all the great pictures you’ve created.

Nokia Lumia 520

The Lumia experience at a great price

The Nokia Lumia 520 is the first affordable smartphone to come with the same super sensitive touch technology found on the Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820.

That means you can tap and scroll on the touchscreen using your nails, car keys or even wearing gloves. If you’re just using your fingers, it makes the four inch display much more responsive.

Nokia Lumia 520

This phone also demonstrates the same colour and design language that has made our other Lumias stand out from the crowd.

It comes in yellow, red, cyan, white and black, and if you can’t decide which you want, the shells are exchangeable so you can change to a new colour whenever you fancy.

Nokia Lumia 520

Of course, it also comes with Nokia Music, which means free unlimited streaming of playlists chosen by our local teams of expert musicologists, or you can make your own.

There’s no registration and no advertisements – just great music playing instantly, and if you are worried about data charges – Nokia Music even let’s you download up to four playlists for free.

If you want more than that, upgrade to Nokia Music+ for unlimited downloads, track skips and lyrics streamed with the music for only €3.99 a month.

Not forgetting, of course, the location and navigation tools with HERE Drive, HERE Maps and HERE Transit so that you’ll never get lost again.

No compromises

Mikko Kahlos, the lead product manager for Nokia Lumia 520, said his brief was “to give people more value without compromising on quality.”

We think you’ll agree, he met his brief!

All these great experiences come at an estimated starting price of €139 before taxes and subsidies.

If you can’t wait to get your hands on the Nokia Lumia 520, it’s planned to start shipping in March – arriving first in Hong Kong and Vietnam, but it will quickly start to reach more markets around Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

It will even be coming to the US with T-Mobile and to China with China Mobile as the latest smartphone from Nokia to be sold by the world’s largest mobile operator.

Nokia Lumia 520

Technical profile

  • Operating System: Windows Phone 8
  • Networks: WCDMA 900/2100, 850/1900/2100, GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
  • Speed: 3G HSPA+ (21Mbps)
  • Memory: 512 MB RAM, 8 GB mass memory, support for microSD cards up to 64GB, 7GB free SkyDrive storage
  • Display: 4” IPS LCD WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) 16M colors,
    2D hardened glass, super sensitive touch for fingernail and glove use
  • Processor: 1 GHz Dual Core Snapdragon™
  • Camera: 5Mpix autofocus, video recording HD 720p 30fps
  • Size: 119.9 x 64 x 9.9 mm* (*volume thickness)
  • Weight: 124g
  • Connectivity: WLAN IEEE802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, Integrated A-GPS, 3.5 mm audio connector, Micro USB with charging, USB 2.0 High Speed
  • Battery: 1430mAh
  • Audio: single digital microphone, 3.5mm AV connector, MP3 player
  • Colours: Yellow, red, cyan, white and black

Operating times

  • Talk time: up to 9.6 hours (on 3G)
  • Standby time: up to 360 hours

Comments

  • http://www.facebook.com/hasithaprabhath Hasitha Prasad

    Is there a secondary front facing camera on this phone?

    • sri_tech

      Nope. I dont think thats a big problem for 95% of people. I never used front camera on my phone.

      • http://www.facebook.com/gmiguel83 Jorge Miguel

        Right. I also don’t remember ever using my ffc. Shouldn’t be an issue for most of us I think.

  • sri_tech

    I like everything about this phone.
    Except that there is no launch date for India where this product makes more sense.
    They delayed the launch of 620 also.
    Meanwhile samsung is selling tons of cheap plastic galaxies in India.

    Nokia,
    Please launch this, 720 and 620 quickly to India.

    • Windroipple

      Well , you must wait my friend.

      Even Samsung didn’t launch Ativ series into India.

      There is a reason why they are delaying the launch.For example , 820s and 920s in India came with preloaded portico update whereas rest of the world is getting same update throughtout Febraury and some got it in January ending.Even 510s came out late but with preloaded 7.8

      Similarly , there must be something which is holding back their launch.

      • http://twitter.com/nachikethasmj Nachikethas

        well im waiting for 620 from last dec. i dont care if it has the update or not just release it for sake. besides that we have internet connection here in india so that i can update it manually

        • Windroipple

          I bought myself an 820 for 27k last month around 2nd week and now it is around 25k.

          Even if 620 launches , it will be priced high and u must wait another month for price to get reduced by 2-3k

          I know what u feel but i advise u to get the device around April-May if u want the device for correct price otherwise u will be playing 2-3k extra.

          • Adrian Remus

            so you own a windows phone…

          • Windroipple

            Yes , I do.

            Lumia 820 + iPad 3rd gen + iPod Touch 3rd gen combo.So I am familiar with iOS as well as WP.

          • Adrian Remus

            I knew about the ipad but you don’t own any android device?

          • Windroipple

            Nope , why ?

            But i have daily access to those because friends or family , always come to me for helping them with operation of device.

            So I am familiar with Android as well but I am more of an iOS and Windows guy

          • Adrian Remus

            I own a windows phone only. Iphone is kinda expensive for me. I judged you by your name so i thought you had an android device too.

            Your family/friends asks for your help on android pretty often? My brother asks me at least once a day…

          • Windroipple

            Yes , they do ask for help but it got less now compared to last 2 years.

    • Jameel Pasha

      I agree with you Sri. We are yet to see Lumia 620 in India. Just pre-orders are taken up online. I’m sure the new lumia’s in selling in huge numbers across the globe. But Nokia has to make sure they release the products soon after launch or better don’t reveal. People here in India were waiting for Lumia 620 for long and they launched Lumia 520 and 720. Now again the wait is on for these instead of buying Lumia 620.

    • ZZ

      If you really want one, buy it unlocked from UK and have it posted.

      • Jameel Pasha

        Lumia 520 is not available in UK also dude..

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sameer-Knayak/100000850307204 Sameer Knayak

    great device.. Carry on.. Please price it around

  • http://twitter.com/nachikethasmj Nachikethas

    which one will be better, 620 or 520.any idea guys.

    • http://www.facebook.com/hemedans Hemedans Nassor

      if you want front camera and small screen go to 620 otherwise 520 is better

    • Binod Adhikari

      don’t buy any nokia devices, it will sucksss you because i am the lumia 610 user and want to through it…

  • http://www.facebook.com/mic.rosatase Mic Rosatase

    so jealoussssssss :( i got my lumia 620 last week, but this has almost the same spec as the just-announced lumia 520 in a less price point. tsk tsk

    • http://www.facebook.com/hemedans Hemedans Nassor

      still u get front camera brother

      • sri_tech

        Plus NFC, Clear black display, NFC and removable shells.

        On 520 you cant remove covers but can add swap on covers.

        • sisufos

          plus 520 has no camera flash -_-

          • muhammed roshan

            bro couldu temme difference btw removable shell n swappable covers n abt clearblack disp but 520 has a super sensitive touch eh??

          • http://www.facebook.com/mic.rosatase Mic Rosatase

            Supersensitive touch is a feature that enables you to use almost anything in tapping or swiping the screen and still the screen detects it, without it (as for most of smartphone today), the touch is only limited with your fingers. As for Clear black display, it is the technology developed by Nokia to provide a deeper blacks on the screen and increase visibility under the sun. I still coudn’t get the real difference between removable shell and swappable cover, but in my deeper understanding, removable shell (as for my lumia 620) can be removeD totally, revealing the total back and side part of the phone which the shell is covering and revealing the entire side and back parts housing the microsd card slot, battery, sim card slot & etc. while swappable cover, think of it as most smartphones of today which have removable cover at the back which reveals the entire back part. hehehe

          • http://www.facebook.com/mic.rosatase Mic Rosatase

            my digital cam will handle lowlight shots :(

        • http://www.facebook.com/mic.rosatase Mic Rosatase

          the lumia 520 would retail at estimated 7000+Php price, whereas my Lumia 620 is 11630Php, which is far pricier . as for NFC, Bluetooth for me is enough, CBD somehow helps to the screen visibility under the bright sun, but it doesn’t really shake things up. as for removable shell, I’m contented with one color, besides you need to purchase another shell which means another expense. but 520 nailed it interms of design! REALLY I LOVE IT <3 but too badddd ;(

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1107797774 Fayad Nazim

          “It comes in yellow, red, cyan, white and black, and if you can’t decide which you want, the shells are exchangeable so you can change to a new colour whenever you fancy.” This is what Nokia says in this very same page.

      • http://www.facebook.com/mic.rosatase Mic Rosatase

        yes, but it doesn’t matter for me anyways. I use skype on my laptop, not on my phone :(

    • Gagan Takkar

      are you happy with 620
      Any draw back you found till now

      • http://www.facebook.com/mic.rosatase Mic Rosatase

        yes I’m very happy.. yeah,so far no major drawbacks, works flawless. but still, I really find lumia 520 attractive for such price, they nailed the design! (i’m not really a fan of curved edges,but in lumia 620′s case, I had sacrificed it for the dual shot which I’m very happy with now. hehehe)

  • Grzegorz Stosio

    520 is better then 620 – (wtf?) – very innovative, i think you should name it 921 – it would be even more innovative !

    • http://www.facebook.com/tabrahao Thiago Abrahao

      520 isn’t better than 620. 620 has NFC technology and some others aspects that make it better than 520. I really like that Nokia is creating good phones with less technology for low end users. This will make windows phone more popular and so it will bring more app for us.

    • http://www.facebook.com/steviexinyang Stevie Xin Yang

      520 isn’t better, only larger screen.
      620: 1. front camera
      2. led flash
      3. NFC

      • Ashim Barman

        Plus 620 got Clear black display & dolby music enhancement too ….

  • Asrialys

    Hm…I like that it looks like a Lumia, as opposed to the 810, which looks a little like an iPhone. But it doesn’t have NFC. It might not be something I may use often, of at all (like a front-facing camera), but I’d still like it available. I like the color options and expandable memory too. But maybe I’ll still get the 810 eventually…

  • Milo

    gpu here?

    • http://twitter.com/kazuyen Edsar Bondoc

      305

  • http://twitter.com/Davestrada Dave Estrada™

    The weight is an improvement, Nokia thinks of all its possible costumers, even those who can’t get their flagship phone, they compete like that, just like the other brand released a “mini” version, which is completely ugly to my taste, Lumia designs are great, as a graphic designer I love it, I love Nokia and I think its great they think of everyone, not everyone is as rich as the ones who complain ;) Just think about it. Plus a Nokia Lumia 1000 is coming or so I heard, and I think it will blow our minds.

  • http://www.facebook.com/ritin.srivastava Ritin R Srivastava

    I was planning to buy a 510 tomorrow; how long do we have to wait for 520 to be launched in India?

    As 510 runs on windows 7.8 and could not be upgraded to windows 8 does that make much difference????

    In short; Is it worth to wait for 520 in India or should I go with 510?? If yes how much expected time?

    • Sreekanth Chakravarthy

      Win 7.8 is outdated. My vote is for Windows 8 phone any day!

    • susheel kumar yeshala

      i was in same situation..thank god i came to know about 520 just few hours before purchasing 510..520 is worth waiting for..

  • http://www.arjunkr.in Arjun.K.R

    Is there any noticeable difference between 3.8 and 4″ screen?

  • sisufos

    guys i think the worst part of this phone is that it has no flash on the camera…what do you think ? this will be a problem on low light and a joke on no light..

    • http://twitter.com/kazuyen Edsar Bondoc

      Indeed

    • http://www.asifnkhan.com/ Asif Khan

      There is Lumia 620 with flash.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=725366847 Thushara Vithanage

    Gorilla Glass?

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594032676 André Gava

      Yep

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1107797774 Fayad Nazim

      Nope

  • MasterMuffin

    Nokia is on fire, these budget smartphones (520, 620, 720) that they’ve announced are the best you can get in these prices! All we need is a super phone (maybe with Android? :D) with a quad core (snapdragon 600) processor and “true” pureview and Nokia will (at least should) rise once more to claim its rightful place as the #1 phone maker (though Samsung makes great phones, I’m finnish so Nokia FTW)!

    • Binod Adhikari

      ya you are actually right.nokia will collapse from market in future…i am the unlucky guy who buy lumia 610 device.

  • Sri Ganesh

    620 with design of 520 or 720 would have rocked like anything.

  • http://www.facebook.com/tomas.bigt Tomáš Zrnka

    Good phone, but missing LED makes me to buy Huawei W1…

  • http://twitter.com/MattTCarey Matt Carey

    I find it amazing that no matter what price point a Nokia phone is at, it still looks beautiful and unique.

  • http://www.facebook.com/shaon.ahmed.5 Ahmed Shaon

    nokia is very late to release phone in asia market.

  • http://twitter.com/J_On_Twetta A J

    the 520 may seem to be better than the 620 with its larger 4″ screen n slimmer profile. but the 620 has a better 1ghz dual core processor, LED flash, a sec cam, more ppi as well as dolby sound enhancement n CBD

  • http://www.twitter.com/wixostrix WixosTrix

    That commercial is the best Lumia commercial IMO. You guys are doing an awesome job.

  • Karthik T. L

    This is just awesome. Finally my wait seems to be over.
    Nokia please release it in India ASAP, and don’t shoot up the price tag, keep it where it is, and it’ll just be perfect. :)

  • http://oldjiveassduder.com/ oldjiveassduder

    I am thinking of getting a Green 620, but I like the design of this one as well. I think I will still go for the 620 though, I want that Yellow/Magenta double shot shell, where can I find that Nokia?

    Anyways great job Nokia. I am a graphic designer and an artist in my 3rd year in school here in NYC, you guys made me want a job with you. Great phones, stylish and beautifully designed phones for people at all price points. You guys are changing the game. Make it easier to buy these phones in the US! Sell them unlocked at the Microsoft Store.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rohitmahatoo Yo Yo Rohit Mahato

    but it lacks flash

    • http://www.asifnkhan.com/ Asif Khan

      It’s the cheapest with WP 8, for flash there is Lumia 620.

  • sura

    Nokia lumia 520 does support city lense?

  • ceebz

    Please, this with a QWERTY and I may finally bear to part ways with my scratched, cracked, but trusty E5.
    Prior to the E5 I previously had an Android touch phone and I really didn’t like form-function… or the build quality… or the idea of spending $600+ on a loseable, breakable, poor phone quality, underpowered portable computer.
    Windows + Nokia + QWERTY in a cheap package… please?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1410581346 Gustavo Puente

    Will it support the integration of the skype app?

    • Gagan Takkar

      no

  • http://twitter.com/aSHim_bR Ashim Barman

    No LED Flash, No Dolby Music, No
    Front Cam, No Clearblack Display, No
    NFC, No S 4 Processor. 520 is a real
    POOR phone.

    • http://www.asifnkhan.com/ Asif Khan

      i think you are looking for an Android worth 20k+

  • Ashim Barman

    Go For Lumia 620…..
    This phone has No LED Flash, No Dolby Music, No
    Front Cam, No Clearblack Display, No
    NFC, No S 4 Processor. 520 is a real
    POOR phone …..

  • http://www.asifnkhan.com/ Asif Khan

    India has been one of the biggest market for Nokia, don’t know why they are delaying the release of Lumia 620. I hope Lumia 520 gets released on time so that i can get my hands on it.

  • joda

    its great phone but its missing a led flash for camera and city lens

  • Binod Adhikari

    don’t buy any nokia devices….i have a lumia 610 but i can’t use any apps as my desire in compare to android so in future nokia will lose its market value and its popularity.

    • Pan

      Lumia 610 does not have enough apps. But now Windows Phone has more apps, including Pandora and Groupon. You should try Lumia 620.

  • http://twitter.com/bongpitts bong

    is it loud as nokia lumia 620 loudspeaker?pls answer