Nokia Lumia 720: A Mid-Range Windows Phone with Wireless Charging
The Nokia Lumia 720 arrived in 2013 as a stylish Windows Phone aimed at buyers who wanted something more capable than an entry-level handset without paying flagship prices. It sat between the affordable Lumia 620 and the premium Lumia 920, offering a slim design, a large battery, a bright display, and a camera package suited to everyday photography.
Its most distinctive feature was support for wireless charging through an optional rear cover. At a time when wireless charging was still unusual outside expensive smartphones, this gave the Lumia 720 a modern advantage. The phone also brought Nokia’s strong build quality, offline navigation, useful imaging software, and a clean Windows Phone 8 interface to the mid-range segment.
The device is best understood in the context of India’s 2013 smartphone market. Android phones dominated the shelves, while Windows Phone offered a visually different experience with Live Tiles, smooth performance, and close integration with Microsoft services. Nokia’s broader latest phone launches coverage helps place the Lumia 720 within that period of rapid mobile innovation.
Design And Display
The Lumia 720 used Nokia’s familiar polycarbonate unibody construction, with a gently curved back and bright color options such as red, yellow, cyan, white, and black. The finish felt more distinctive than the plain plastic used by many competing phones, while the rounded edges made the relatively large handset comfortable to hold. It measured about 9 mm thick and weighed approximately 128 grams, making it light for a phone with a 2,000 mAh battery.
The front featured a 4.3-inch ClearBlack LCD with an 800 x 480-pixel resolution. That resolution was modest by modern standards, but it was typical for Windows Phone devices of the time. ClearBlack technology helped reduce reflections and improve contrast, particularly outdoors. Viewing angles were respectable, and the screen delivered strong colors that suited the platform’s bold Live Tile interface.
The display was protected by scratch-resistant glass and could be used with gloves, a useful feature for users dealing with cooler weather or outdoor work. Nokia also included its familiar glance-friendly lock screen and sunlight readability improvements. The Lumia 720 did not offer the sharpness of a 720p Android display, but it produced a clean, responsive experience within the limits of Windows Phone 8.
Performance And Windows Phone 8
Under the back cover, the Lumia 720 used a 1 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor paired with 512 MB of RAM. Those specifications look limited now, yet Windows Phone 8 was carefully optimized for modest hardware. Menus were fluid, applications opened quickly enough, and basic multitasking felt more consistent than the raw specifications suggested.
The phone shipped with 8 GB of internal storage, of which only part was available to the user. Fortunately, a microSD card slot supported expansion, allowing owners to store additional music, photographs, and videos. This was an important advantage over several competing smartphones that lacked expandable storage.
Windows Phone 8 provided a distinctive alternative to Android and iOS. Live Tiles displayed messages, weather, calendar events, and social updates directly on the Start screen. Nokia added useful applications such as HERE Maps, HERE Drive, Nokia Music, and Camera Extras, although app availability remained weaker than on Google Play or Apple’s App Store. For buyers who valued simplicity and a different visual identity, the operating system remained appealing.
Cameras, Battery, And Wireless Charging
The rear camera used a 6.7-megapixel sensor with a wide f/1.9 aperture. That lens allowed the Lumia 720 to capture brighter images in low light than many mid-range rivals. It also supported 720p video recording. Nokia’s imaging software offered scene modes and creative tools, while the camera interface remained quick and easy to use.
A 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera handled video calls and self-portraits. It was not designed for high-quality photography, but it was adequate for Skype conversations and occasional social images. The rear camera was the stronger part of the package, particularly for users who valued low-light performance over maximum resolution.
The built-in 2,000 mAh battery was one of the handset’s most convincing strengths. With moderate use, it could last a full day and often longer, helped by the efficient processor, lower-resolution screen, and tightly controlled Windows Phone software. Heavy cellular data use, navigation, and camera activity reduced endurance, but the Lumia 720 generally performed better than many thin mid-range Android phones of the same period.
Wireless charging required a separate Nokia Wireless Charging Shell, commonly identified by the accessory model CC-1240. Once fitted, the shell enabled Qi wireless charging on compatible pads. This was convenient for a desk or bedside table because the user could simply place the phone down instead of connecting a micro-USB cable. The optional cover added a little bulk and cost, so the feature was innovative rather than automatically practical for every buyer.
Hardware At A Glance
The Lumia 720 balanced a few premium touches with deliberately restrained mid-range hardware. Its camera aperture, battery capacity, design quality, and wireless charging support helped it stand apart, while the processor, RAM, and display resolution reflected its lower price category.
| Feature | Nokia Lumia 720 |
|---|---|
| Launch period | 2013 |
| Operating system | Windows Phone 8, upgradeable through later platform updates |
| Display | 4.3-inch ClearBlack LCD, 800 x 480 pixels |
| Processor | 1 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 |
| RAM | 512 MB |
| Internal storage | 8 GB |
| Expandable storage | microSD card support, up to 64 GB |
| Rear camera | 6.7 MP, f/1.9 aperture, 720p video |
| Front camera | 1.3 MP |
| Battery | 2,000 mAh |
| Wireless charging | Available with optional Qi charging shell |
| Network support | 3G and LTE variants depending on market |
| Indian launch price | Approximately ₹18,999 |
India Availability And Value
In India, the Lumia 720 was positioned as a premium mid-range phone, with an introductory price of around ₹18,999. That placed it above affordable Android models but below flagship devices such as the Lumia 920 and Samsung Galaxy S4. Nokia’s extensive retail presence helped the phone reach buyers beyond major metropolitan areas, where in-store demonstrations and after-sales service influenced purchasing decisions.
The handset competed with Android phones offering larger screens, quad-core processors, and more applications. Nokia’s response was to emphasize dependable construction, camera quality, battery life, navigation tools, and a polished interface. The Lumia 720 was also a strong choice for customers who wanted a recognizable brand and a phone that felt different from the many black rectangular Android devices available at the time.
4G support varied by model and market, so Indian buyers needed to verify the exact regional version before purchasing. The broader Lumia range also had differences in radio bands, storage, and bundled accessories. Wireless charging was rarely included in the standard box, which meant the overall cost could rise if a buyer wanted to use the feature immediately.
The platform’s limitations became clearer over time. Windows Phone had a smaller application catalog, and some major services arrived late or lacked features found on Android and iOS. Microsoft’s later changes to its mobile strategy also reduced the phone’s long-term software appeal. For a period-focused buyer or collector, however, those limitations do not erase the Lumia 720’s importance as an example of Nokia’s attempt to make advanced features accessible.
Everyday Experience And Lasting Appeal
For calls, messaging, email, navigation, music, and social networking, the Lumia 720 offered a smooth and uncluttered daily experience. The Start screen could be personalized with different tile sizes and colors, while Nokia’s navigation software was particularly useful for Indian users who wanted downloadable maps and turn-by-turn guidance without depending entirely on mobile data.
The phone’s camera performed best in daylight and indoor scenes where its wide aperture could make a visible difference. It could not match the detail or processing power of later smartphone cameras, but it produced attractive images for sharing online. The dedicated camera button also made launching the camera faster than relying only on an onscreen shortcut.
The Lumia 720’s design helped it age better visually than many contemporary handsets. Its colorful shell, compact proportions, and simple interface still communicate the design confidence of Nokia’s Windows Phone era. It belongs to the same broader period of distinctive mobile hardware that included devices such as the physical-keyboard classic, when manufacturers were willing to experiment with different shapes, input methods, and operating systems.
Who Should Consider The Lumia 720
The phone makes the most sense today as a historical device, a collection piece, or a way to experience Windows Phone hardware from its strongest period. Buyers searching for a practical daily smartphone should remember that application support, network compatibility, battery condition, and replacement parts are all more difficult than they were at launch.
Useful points to weigh before buying an original Lumia 720 include:
- Choose a unit with a healthy battery, since aged cells can significantly reduce the phone’s best advantage.
- Confirm that the screen, camera, charging port, buttons, and microSD slot work correctly.
- Check the regional model and network bands before relying on cellular connectivity.
- Treat wireless charging as an accessory feature and confirm that the charging shell is included.
- Use it primarily for offline navigation, retro collecting, calls, photography experiments, or Windows Phone nostalgia.
As a 2013 purchase, the Lumia 720 was a well-rounded alternative to Android rather than a specification leader. Its dual-core processor and 512 MB of RAM were sufficient for the software it ran, while the 2,000 mAh battery and efficient display delivered dependable endurance. Wireless charging added a premium touch that few mid-range rivals could claim.
The Nokia Lumia 720 remains a memorable example of a company trying to make smartphone design feel personal and practical. Its combination of a bright polycarbonate body, capable low-light camera, strong battery, and optional Qi charging made it more interesting than its specification sheet suggested. Explore its place among classic mobile releases on New Mobile Arrivals and compare it with other phones from the era before deciding which models deserve a place in your collection.