Nokia Lumia 1020 is a lucrative niche product, running on a restricted operating-system with a poor app catalog, when compared to Google Play. Can Nokia's photocentric smartphone triumph these drawbacks?
Windows phone is still gaining in the smartphone marked. It has its streetlights and weaknesses. Its biggest weakness compared to Android, is the UI's restricted customization and app catalog. Yes its, 100 000 apps +++ and so on, but still not a match to Google Play's whopping one million. So way should anyone choose Microsoft's take on the smartphone marked? Simply because of Nokia. Stripped of most of its previous innovative power and known as "The one to rule them all", Nokia is a small voice in the smartphone marked. But now the old giant is rising like a dead phoenix in the ashes. There is still a small spark there, that can rise up a new age of glory.
The 808 PureView looks like the 5800 (Nokia's first "Iphonekiller"), on stereoids. |
with the 41mp image sensor.
This was an INSANELY high pixel-density even for full format dslr's found on the marked! The 808 PureView was something Nokia pushed through, even though many of the high-end specs the camera represented was running on a stone age operating system. So the big question was when is the Windows-powered version of this masterpiece hardware?
One year went by, the rumors where put to side, and the Lumia 1020 was very real.
With an competitive operating system paired up with a KILLER camera, the Lumia 1020 capable of bringing down the mid- to some high-end point-and-shoot cameras. |
A there is a ever rising number of smartphones taking shoots that is okay, but not great for photo-enthusiasts. The compact size of the Lumia 1020, sharing capability and the fact that its not a too bulky smartphone is its biggest selling points.
Samsung apparently took the 808 seriously. After the 808, we have seen the South-Koreans push out products like the Galaxy Camera, the mighty NX, and the Galaxy S4 zoom. What did they have in common? Androids power of sharing. If you where using the S4 zoom as your phone, taking a picture in the blink of an eye, and uploading it to cloud storage or social network, would be a very streamline process. Same goes for the Galaxy Camera and NX.
Samsung Galaxy Camera |
Samsung NX |
Samsung Galaxy S4 zoom |
My beloved Galaxy S4 is capable of taking nice photos. But not really great shots, when compared to Nokia Lumia 1020. The S4 has been an truly sturdy companion in the pocket for everything. Stable software, still fast and smooth and a ton of apps for every single need. BUT: I am a big fan of capturing photos with just a smartphone, and the S4 comes with its restrictions compared to Lumia 1020.
So what compromise does Windows Phone represent seen from an Android-viewpoint?
Firstly, I made an list of my essential Apps that I really can´t be without and checked up with Windows-phone store:
Facebook - Yes - Also available as website.
Twitter - Yes -Also available as website.
Snapchat - No, but Yes Accessible through the 6snap client.
Netflix - Yes
YouTube - Yes
NRK Tv (Norwegian state TV) - Yes
NRK - Radio ( Same thing as above) - Yes
Dropbox - Yes
Google Drive - No, but Yes - accessible through clients
Mobilebank app for my bank - Yes
Codegenerator for my bank - No
Yes. That is pretty much it. Many of these apps has been reported buggy and unstable. My biggest concern is Spotify, which I cant´t live without.
Off course I am spoiled with Androids ecosystem that's offering bunch off apps that is optimized for mobile and runs more efficient than a regular website. There is also a lot of nice photo-editing apps like Pixl Express and VSCO Cam.
Another BIG compromise from Android to Windows Phone:
Freedom!
Android comes with never ending customization-capabilities that is unmatched by IOS7 and Windows Phone. I can change my launcher, root it and and customize my user experience in every thinkable way. My S4 runs on Samsung's Rom, because I am OK with Samsung's enhancements in the notification bar and settings menu. That said, I am using Dynamic Notifications at lockscreen, Novalauncher, as launcher-replacement for Samsung's TouchWiz and Swiftkey as keyboard. I get the best from two worlds with some apps. Oh, I forgot, I use HD Widgets as clock/weather/calendar widget on my startscreen.
Sony represent dark clouds in Lumia 1020's sunny image:
Sony is on the rise again, and made Sony QX10 and QX100, wich is basicly a camera objective, sensor and image processor with WiFi and NFC. The build of these products is based on Sony's own point-and-shoot camera.
Sony QX100 |
Sony QX10 |
The QX-100 is very similar to the hight-end RX-100 II. This means that you don´t have to consider the optics and image quality if your current or next smartphone if you already have a QX100 laying around.
The Android-powered Nokia "Normandy" is supposed to be the replacement for Nokia's low-end Asha line. I really don't think Nokia will produce any high-end Android-devices within the next years. Maybe Android is Nokia's plan B if everything goes down and under with Windows Phone?
If there ever is going to be a android-powered Lumia 1020-like device from Nokia, I would line up like every Apple-disciple does when buying a new Apple-product - Just with a bigger grin on my face!
So, Nokia, whats up next? Bringing down the mighty dslr´s? Well if you do, mind that you have to this fast because the competition is quickly with hybrid-products and smartphone-camera´s as crazy or even more crazy than yours! Was Windows Phone the right choice? That is probably too late now. Microsoft owns your ass, and will not Androiditize one of their biggest sellingpoints; the PureView cameras.