The new Apple smart phones have been the talk of the town ever since they were released early in September 2013. But, apart from some minor tweaks and improvements here and there, these smart phones haven’t generated as much buzz as Apple would have liked. Even with the new iOS 7 operating system, these smart phones just aren’t that good. So, how do you think the new Apple iPhone 5S will stand up against the Nokia Lumia 1020? Nokia has made a name for itself as far as smart phone photography is concerned, but maybe it’s time for Nokia to start working on other aspects of their smart phones as well. Who will come out on top? Read on to find out...

Phone Nokia Lumia 1020 Apple iPhone 5S
Image The Nokia Lumia 1020 vs the Apple iPhone 5S-nokia-lumia-1020.jpg The Nokia Lumia 1020 vs the Apple iPhone 5S-iphone-5s.jpg
Operating System Windows Phone 8 iOS 7
Processor Dual Core, 1500 MHz, Krait Dual Core, 1300 MHz, Cyclone
System Chip Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960 Apple A7 with 64-bit architecture
System Memory 2 GB 1 GB
Graphics Processor Adreno 225 PowerVR G6430
Display 4.5” AMOLED 4.0” IPS LCD
Screen Resolution 1,280 x 720 1,136 x 640
Pixel Density 334 ppi 326 ppi
Storage 32 GB Internal memory 16 / 32 / 64 GB Internal memory
Primary Camera 41 MP 8 MP
Flash LED, Xenon Dual LED
Secondary Camera 1.2 MP 1.2 MP
WiFi WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / n 5GHz
Bluetooth 3.0 4.0
Battery 2,000 mAh 1,570 mAh
Weight 158 g 112 g
Dimensions 130.4 x 71.4 x 10.4 mm 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm
Announced 11th July 2013 10th September 2013


Size and weight

Apple was always known for their light, compact smart phones, but Nokia really has come a long way in terms of size and weight. The Lumia 1020 measures 130.4 x 71.4 x 10.4 mm while the iPhone 5S measures 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm. The Lumia 1020 does have a larger display though. But the iPhone 5S is much thinner. I’m guessing the Lumia 1020 is thick because of its huge camera, but more on that later. In terms of weight, the iPhone 5S weighs just 112 g while the Lumia 1020 weighs 158 g. A lot of improvement by Nokia from the days of the super heavy Nokia Lumia 800 while the iPhone 5S has the exact same size and weight as the Apple iPhone 5.

Even though I don’t want to, I’m going to give this point to the iPhone 5S because it is much thinner and lighter.

(Nokia Lumia 1020 - Zero / Apple iPhone 5S - One)


Display

In terms of display, the Lumia 1020 comes with a 4.5” AMOLED touch screen while the iPhone 5S comes with a 4.0” IPS LCD touch screen. But the smaller iPhone 5S has a maximum resolution of just 1,136 x 640 pixels as compared to the Lumia 1020 which has a maximum resolution of 1,280 x 768 pixels. Even in terms of pixel density, the Lumia 1020 is marginally better at 334 ppi to the iPhone 5S’ 326 ppi.

But since the iPhone 5S got the last point, it is only fair that the Lumia 1020 is awarded this point for a better pixel density, larger display and higher maximum resolution.

(Nokia Lumia 1020 - One / Apple iPhone 5S - One)


Memory & Storage

This is the area where the new iPhone 5S most disappoints. It still comes with just 1 GB of RAM and no matter what anyone says I just can’t imagine a high end smart phone that still comes with 1 GB of RAM. The Lumia 1020 comes with 2 GB of RAM which is much better for a high end smart phone. In terms of storage, the Lumia 1020 comes with 16 or 32 GB of internal storage while the iPhone 5S comes with 16, 32 or 64 GB of internal storage. Both smart phones lack external storage capabilities though.

But, even though the iPhone 5S has more options in terms of storage this point will go to the Lumia 1020 for having much more RAM than the iPhone 5S.

(Nokia Lumia 1020 - Two / Apple iPhone 5S - One)


Camera

The Lumia 1020 hasn’t yet been compared with a smart phone that has a better camera than its mammoth 41 MP shooter. And it doesn’t look like the 8 MP camera on the back of the iPhone 5S is going to cause too much trouble. Even though some people might compliment the larger pixel size on the iPhone 5S, it still doesn’t stand a chance against the Lumia 1020 and its Xenon and LED flash. The iPhone 5S does come with a Dual LED flash though.

But the Lumia 1020 has so many features like optical image stabilization which just prove why its camera is the best on a smart phone today.

(Nokia Lumia 1020 - Three / Apple iPhone 5S - One)


OS & Performance

The Lumia 1020 comes with the latest Microsoft operating system, Windows Phone 8 while the iPhone 5S comes with the latest Apple operating system iOS 7. In terms of technology, the iPhone 5S comes with the Apple A7 chip and a dual core, 1300 MHz, Cyclone processor while the Lumia 1020 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960 chip and dual core, 1500 MHz, Krait processor. In terms of graphics, the Lumia 1020 has an Adreno 225 processor while the iPhone 5S has a PowerVR G6430 processor. Yes, the Lumia 1020 is running on older technology but the iPhone 5S just marginally manages to slip ahead.

The point goes to the iPhone 5S.

(Nokia Lumia 1020 - Three / Apple iPhone 5S - Two)


Battery

The battery life is another major problem with Apple’s smart phones and the story is pretty much the same with the iPhone 5S. It comes with a 1,570 mAh battery which offers a standby time of just 10.4 days while the Lumia 1020 comes with a 2,000 mAh battery which offers a standby time of 16 days.

While neither of these smart phones have large batteries, the Lumia 1020 does have a better battery and therefore, it wins this point.

(Nokia Lumia 1020 - Four / Apple iPhone 5S - Two)


Price

You can pick up the 16 GB iPhone 5S (free of contract) for $ 649 while the 16 GB Lumia 1020 costs $ 609 (free of contract). In terms of value for money, I will have to say that the Lumia 1020 seems like a better choice and it costs lesser as well.

This point goes to the Lumia 1020.

(Nokia Lumia 1020 - Five / Apple iPhone 5S - Two)


Conclusion

The final score is 5 points to 2 in favor of the Nokia Lumia 1020. Basically, the Apple iPhone 5S isn’t that great a smart phone apart from the few new features and tweaks here and there. Yes, the fingerprint scanner truly is exceptional, but take that away and you aren’t left with too much more. Honestly, if you want to buy the better smart phone, you will have to go for the Nokia Lumia 1020. Unfortunately, not many Apple loyalists would consider a change unless maybe Apple shut down. So, I highly doubt there is anything I can write here to convince an iPhone user to switch. Then again, I’m sure Apple users will have a thing or two to say about the huge and bulky Nokia Lumia smart phones.


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