Nokia Lumia 928 vs Apple iPhone 5
posted by John V.
/ May 21, 2013, 7:45 AM
Introduction:
Now that Nokia has introduced its true high-end Windows Phone offering for Verizon Wireless, it’s sure to try its mightiest to chip away at the iPhone 5’s always stringent grasp. Considering that it’s sporting a competitive price point of $99.99 with a 2-year agreement, there’s no arguing whatsoever that the aggressive approach might actually make customers think twice about settling down on a device – even more when it’s packing goodies that the iPhone lacks, such as wireless charging, NFC, and a super sensitive display. Already proving itself as THE Windows Phone to own if you’re on Big Red’s network, it’ll be intriguing to see how it stacks against Apple’s pride and joy in every category.
Design:
By now means are the two flaunting original designs, as they take the distinct styles of previous generation models and improve in the aspects that consumers take notice the most – such as being thinner and lighter. Thanks primarily to its brushed aluminum casing, there’s a premium element attached to the iPhones 5’s design. At the same time, too, the in-the-hand feel of the iPhone 5 is minutely better, since it’s smaller in footprint and lighter in weight. Despite that, we’ll admit that the two are soundly sturdy with their constructions.
Feeling out the physical buttons around each smartphone, we’ll give it to the iPhone 5 for having the more prominent and responsive buttons. However, most people will find the microUSB port of the Lumia 928 as being the more favorable of the two, because it’s a universal standard – whereas with the iPhone 5, it sticks firmly to Apple’s proprietary Lightning port.
Vying for supremacy in the photo snapping category, it shouldn’t surprise many to know that these are highly regard for their qualities. On one hand, we have an 8-megapixel iSight camera on the iPhone 5, which features an f2.4 lens and LED flash. Meanwhile, its new rival is packing along something more delicious in its 8.7-megapixel PureView camera, which features Carl Zeiss optics, an f2.0 lens, optical image stabilization, and a Xenon flash. However, both still produce 1080p video recording with their rear cameras – while their 1.2-megapixel front-facing cameras eek out 720p ones.
Display:
Frankly, it’s rather difficult to make a definitive decision on which one has the more attractive display because they boast their own unique qualities that make them stand out. Specifically, it’s a 4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ 768 x 1280 AMOLED display on Nokia’s new gadget, which can still recognize touch if you happen to have gloves on, since its sensitivity is heightened. Conversely, iPhone 5 has a smaller 4-inch 640 x 1136 Retina Display, which has the more realistic colors thanks to its IPS-LCD panel and better outdoor visibility. Then again, our eyes are drawn to the oversaturated tones put out by the Lumia 928’s AMOLED panel – plus, it maintains its vibrancy at extreme angles better than the iPhone 5. Sure, the Lumia 928 might have the higher pixel density count on paper, but it doesn’t necessarily prove to be advantageous, as it’s nearly indistinguishable which of the two is more detailed from a normal viewing distance.
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Now that Nokia has introduced its true high-end Windows Phone offering for Verizon Wireless, it’s sure to try its mightiest to chip away at the iPhone 5’s always stringent grasp. Considering that it’s sporting a competitive price point of $99.99 with a 2-year agreement, there’s no arguing whatsoever that the aggressive approach might actually make customers think twice about settling down on a device – even more when it’s packing goodies that the iPhone lacks, such as wireless charging, NFC, and a super sensitive display. Already proving itself as THE Windows Phone to own if you’re on Big Red’s network, it’ll be intriguing to see how it stacks against Apple’s pride and joy in every category.
Design:
By now means are the two flaunting original designs, as they take the distinct styles of previous generation models and improve in the aspects that consumers take notice the most – such as being thinner and lighter. Thanks primarily to its brushed aluminum casing, there’s a premium element attached to the iPhones 5’s design. At the same time, too, the in-the-hand feel of the iPhone 5 is minutely better, since it’s smaller in footprint and lighter in weight. Despite that, we’ll admit that the two are soundly sturdy with their constructions.
To see the phones in real size or compare them with other models, visit our Visual Phone Size Comparison page
Feeling out the physical buttons around each smartphone, we’ll give it to the iPhone 5 for having the more prominent and responsive buttons. However, most people will find the microUSB port of the Lumia 928 as being the more favorable of the two, because it’s a universal standard – whereas with the iPhone 5, it sticks firmly to Apple’s proprietary Lightning port.
The Nokia Lumia 928 (left) and the Apple iPhone 5 (right)
The sides of the Nokia Lumia 928 (bottom, left) and the Apple iPhone 5 (top, right)
Frankly, it’s rather difficult to make a definitive decision on which one has the more attractive display because they boast their own unique qualities that make them stand out. Specifically, it’s a 4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ 768 x 1280 AMOLED display on Nokia’s new gadget, which can still recognize touch if you happen to have gloves on, since its sensitivity is heightened. Conversely, iPhone 5 has a smaller 4-inch 640 x 1136 Retina Display, which has the more realistic colors thanks to its IPS-LCD panel and better outdoor visibility. Then again, our eyes are drawn to the oversaturated tones put out by the Lumia 928’s AMOLED panel – plus, it maintains its vibrancy at extreme angles better than the iPhone 5. Sure, the Lumia 928 might have the higher pixel density count on paper, but it doesn’t necessarily prove to be advantageous, as it’s nearly indistinguishable which of the two is more detailed from a normal viewing distance.
Viewing angles of the the Nokia Lumia 928 (left) and the Apple iPhone 5 (right)
More content with (Lumia 928 and iPhone 5)
80 Comments
2. -box-
Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012
Iphones still look like toys, not something anyone over, say, 8, would own.
posted on May 21, 2013, 7:50 AM 18
14. Droid_X_Doug
Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010
So, does that mean that Apple has a lock on the 8 year old phone owning population? I didn't know there were that many 8 year olds whose parents would get them a $200+ phone plus cellular plan.
posted on May 21, 2013, 8:37 AM 3
17. roldefol
Posts: 4744; Member since: Jan 28, 2011
The iPhone 5 looks umm "cute" compared to the 4.5-5" phones I would buy, but for my wife it'll be plenty big. Nobody should dismiss Apple for being highly appealing to that large and very lucrative segment of the market.
posted on May 21, 2013, 8:45 AM 0
44. TheBitterTruth unregistered
Even after all these facts.. iPhone 5 outsolds all of the windows phones.
P.S I am a loyal Nokia supporter but this is fact.
posted on May 21, 2013, 2:02 PM 5
70. oldhamletman
Posts: 72; Member since: Sep 03, 2011
absolutely not true.... the Nokia 920 series for the first 4 months of introduction continuously on a weekly basis , outsold all iphone models combined at any point in history...
This is another Apple biased review, completely ignoring the WinPhone 8 voice assistance and inferring that Siri crap is the only game in town... also inferring that many critical apps are not available in wp8 which is a complete lie....
I think it would be nice to get a review from someone who actually knew what they are talking about when using windows phone.... I fell for that small screen Iphone crap for years and when I got a windows phone everything got a lot easier....
also this review ignored the fact that Apple continues to charge far more for their phones... no way I ever buy an Apple again
posted on May 25, 2013, 9:30 PM 0
56. quadrazeus
Posts: 359; Member since: May 03, 2013
Oh, I didn't know that. So around 40 million kids (under 8) buy it every quarter. That seems very true.
posted on May 22, 2013, 1:02 AM 1
62. Dastrix unregistered
The funny thing is that two years ago, these two companies could not even compare, let alone be on equal terms, which shows how much Nokia has improved and innovated, while Apple stood still.
posted on May 23, 2013, 7:43 AM 0
79. rf40928
Posts: 10; Member since: Aug 20, 2013
I think the 928 is a good phone, but when I see "spec" comparisons they don't mean alot in the real world.
For example- Android phones that have 2gigs of RAM - need it. Ever go into a store and try and Android phone with 1gig of ram ? They slow down and at times seem to "stick' for a second. The iPhone with 1gig of ram runs super smooth. This is what happens when you compare an operating system ( android ) that is 8Gigs large versus iOS which is only 3gigs. Android needs more RAM to run as smoothly..
Back to what I said in the 1st sentence at the top - In the real world a smartphone is an internet appliance. Turn off your data and all you have is a phone with a camera. Most people pictures are automatically downgraded to much lower then 8mp when they upload pics to facebook anyways. So what matters is apps apps apps - remember this is an internet appliance.
Apple store 800,000 apps versus 120,000 apps Windows. So while you can compare phone specs - again comparing specs of different platforms with Operating systems that have different requirements isn't really fair. IMHO Samsung has done a great job of marketing the S4 although no one needs more then 10 MP in a phone camera - a 5MP Camera can print a photo lab quality 8x10 picture.. How many do this from a phone ? Not that many..
posted on Aug 22, 2013, 4:51 PM 1
3. TROLL
Posts: 4851; Member since: Apr 13, 2012
Nokia L928 looks very smart, stylish, sexy, class aluminium, with a better camera than any other phones, except PV808.
iP5 great all rounder, wins in Cpu, Gpu, apps, games.but those ugly curves look hideous.
Both are great device in there own ways!
®
posted on May 21, 2013, 7:52 AM 19
8. eisenbricher
Posts: 973; Member since: Aug 09, 2012
lol why down thumbs :|
posted on May 21, 2013, 8:00 AM 9
31. ebubekir26
Posts: 337; Member since: Dec 21, 2012
butthurt fanboys...
I am a Samsung fanboy and I like Lumia's, I even thumbed you guys up.
some Samsung and HTC fanboys dislike every comment that doesn't praise their lovely smartphone,
posted on May 21, 2013, 9:36 AM 9
12. windroid unregistered
+1 from me for a contructive criticism.
And because I share the same comment as you.
Just one consideration the Lumia is half the contract price.
posted on May 21, 2013, 8:26 AM 1
42. icyrock1
Posts: 307; Member since: Mar 25, 2013
TBH, I wish they could have used the same LCD display they used on the 920. I personally think LCD's produce better colors, and while I haven't seen the 928 in action, I have seen the 920 and it's screen is amazing. I have no doubt they also put an amazing display on the 928, but in my experience at least, LCD's give a better reading experience (I read allot of books from my phone).
posted on May 21, 2013, 1:44 PM 2
50. PhoneArenaUser
Posts: 5498; Member since: Aug 05, 2011
You are right, I agree with you.
posted on May 21, 2013, 3:31 PM 2
43. TheBitterTruth unregistered
Is that you troll??
How on earth can you appreciate Nokia?
I am still confused.
posted on May 21, 2013, 2:01 PM 4
57. TheBitterTruth unregistered
"Nokia L928 looks very smart, stylish, sexy, class aluminium, with a better camera than any other phones, except PV808."
You have unfortunately appreciated Nokia.
posted on May 22, 2013, 2:29 AM 1
61. Dastrix unregistered
+1 troll, I can finally appreciate your logic :)
posted on May 23, 2013, 7:41 AM 0
7. eisenbricher
Posts: 973; Member since: Aug 09, 2012
Good review, though too much use of defensive words, PA..
And will be glad if you post some concrete numbers.
posted on May 21, 2013, 8:00 AM 3
16. roldefol
Posts: 4744; Member since: Jan 28, 2011
Now this I feel is a fair comparison. Of course when they pit the 928 against the Galaxy S4, PA will pick the Galaxy for its bigger screen, higher resolution, higher specs. Against the iPhone it's a more balanced fight. And like most of their comparos it comes down to preference.
To be truly fair though, they should pit the $300 32GB iPhone against the $100 32GB Lumia. That's a much tougher sell for Apple.
posted on May 21, 2013, 8:39 AM 6
19. cornerofthemoon
Posts: 615; Member since: Apr 20, 2010
I'd probably go with the Nokia since Windows Phone has most of the major apps these days and I've never been impressed with the touchscreen responsiveness and keyboard of iOS devices. My 2 cents.
posted on May 21, 2013, 8:49 AM 6
40. Pedro0x
Posts: 271; Member since: Oct 19, 2012
You are kidding me right? Iphone 5 has the lowest input lag of all phones, only phone that comes close is Nexus 4.
If I would have to pick one of these two phones, I wouldn´t pick neither :), none of these phones have android, I do not like WP and IOS.
posted on May 21, 2013, 1:10 PM 0
71. oldhamletman
Posts: 72; Member since: Sep 03, 2011
Ive used both pedro0x, and I can tell you for certain, the Nokia is 5 times better on responsiveness... sorry you got ripped off by apple... but it is what it is
posted on May 25, 2013, 9:34 PM 1
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