Nokia Lumia 1520: The 6-Inch Windows Phone Phablet with a 20MP Camera
The Nokia Lumia 1520 was one of the boldest Windows Phone devices of its era. Released in late 2013, it combined a large six-inch Full HD display, a quad-core Snapdragon processor and a 20-megapixel PureView camera in a colourful body that looked more like a compact tablet than a conventional mobile.
At a time when five-inch phones were still considered large, Nokia took the phablet idea further. The Lumia 1520 was designed for people who wanted a spacious screen for maps, email, games and video without moving to a separate tablet. Its Windows Phone 8 interface also made unusually good use of the extra display area.
For Australian buyers, the handset arrived during the early expansion of 4G networks and competed with large Android phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Sony Xperia Z Ultra. Its combination of camera technology, battery endurance and smooth software made it distinctive, although the Windows Phone app catalogue remained its biggest limitation.
| Feature | Nokia Lumia 1520 specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6-inch 1920 × 1080 ClearBlack IPS LCD |
| Processor | 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 |
| Memory | 2GB RAM, 32GB internal storage |
| Expandable storage | microSD card support |
| Rear camera | 20MP PureView with optical image stabilisation |
| Front camera | 1.2MP wide-angle camera |
| Battery | 3400mAh, non-removable |
| Software | Windows Phone 8, upgradeable through later updates |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless charging support |
| Australian launch position | Premium large-screen smartphone, commonly associated with Telstra’s 4G network |
A large design built for practical use
The Lumia 1520 was big, but it was not cheaply assembled. Its polycarbonate shell had the solid, colourful finish associated with Nokia’s Lumia range, with versions appearing in yellow, black, white and red depending on the market. The curved edges helped it sit more comfortably in the hand than its dimensions suggested, although one-handed use was difficult for most people.
The six-inch screen used a 1920 × 1080 resolution, giving text, photographs and video considerably more room than the smaller Lumia models. ClearBlack technology improved contrast and helped reduce reflections, which was useful outdoors in bright Australian conditions. Viewing maps in Sydney, reading messages on a Melbourne tram or checking a cricket score at the ground felt far less cramped than on a typical 4.5-inch handset.
Nokia also added a third column of Live Tiles to Windows Phone 8. This small software change mattered because the wider screen could display more information without forcing the owner to scroll constantly. Calendar appointments, weather forecasts, news and social updates could sit together on the Start screen, making the phone feel purpose-built for its large format.
PureView photography in a pocketable camera
The 20-megapixel rear camera was the handset’s headline feature. It used Nokia’s PureView approach, which combined a high-resolution sensor with optical image stabilisation, oversampling and strong image-processing software. Photos could be captured at full resolution or reduced to produce cleaner-looking images with more manageable file sizes.
Optical image stabilisation was especially valuable in low light. It helped reduce blur caused by small hand movements when taking photographs indoors, at dusk or during evening events. The Lumia 1520 was not a replacement for a dedicated camera in every situation, but it was a serious imaging tool at a time when many smartphone cameras still struggled after sunset.
Nokia’s camera application also offered manual controls that were unusual on a mainstream phone. Owners could adjust focus, shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation and white balance rather than relying entirely on automatic processing. The interface rewarded patient users, while the automatic mode remained simple enough for quick family photos or holiday snapshots along the Great Ocean Road.
The large sensor and stabilised lens gave the Lumia 1520 a clear identity among oversized smartphones. Its camera output could look natural and detailed, especially in daylight, although colours and processing were not always as consistent as those from later iPhones and Android flagships. The front camera was modest by modern standards, with a 1.2-megapixel resolution suited to video calls rather than high-quality selfies.
Windows Phone 8 on a six-inch screen
Windows Phone 8 was clean, fast and visually different from Android and iOS. Live Tiles provided constantly updating information, while the operating system kept menus simple and responsive. On the Snapdragon 800 chipset, everyday navigation felt smooth, and the phone rarely showed the stutter associated with less powerful early phablets.
The Lumia 1520 shipped with Nokia’s own applications, including HERE Maps, HERE Drive and Nokia Camera. Offline maps were a useful feature for Australian travel, especially in areas where mobile coverage could be inconsistent. A downloaded route could be helpful when driving between regional towns or exploring outside the major capitals.
Microsoft’s platform was still playing catch-up in third-party software. Major services were available, but some apps arrived late, lacked features or disappeared when developers changed priorities. Readers comparing the handset with the wider Android range should remember that Android offered far greater choice in launchers, widgets, games and specialist Australian services.
Later updates improved the experience. The Lumia Black software update brought features such as app folders, better multitasking behaviour and camera refinements, while Windows Phone 8.1 added a notification centre and other changes. Support was still less predictable than on Apple devices, and the platform eventually lost momentum after Microsoft moved away from Windows Phone.
Battery life and everyday performance
A 3400mAh battery gave the Lumia 1520 excellent endurance for its period. The large capacity balanced the power demands of the Full HD panel and Snapdragon 800 processor, allowing many owners to last through a full day of calls, web browsing, photography and music without searching for a charger.
Light users could often stretch battery life well beyond a day, while heavy 4G use, gaming and navigation reduced that advantage. Australian commuters using the phone for Spotify, maps and messaging between Parramatta and central Sydney would still need to monitor mobile data and screen brightness, especially in areas with variable reception.
Wireless charging support made topping up more convenient, although charging pads were not common household accessories in 2013. The battery was sealed inside the phone, which gave the body a cleaner construction but removed the option of carrying a spare cell. There was also no water resistance rating comparable with some competing Sony models.
The Snapdragon 800 processor was a major strength. It delivered quick application launches, responsive web browsing and capable gaming performance, while 2GB of RAM gave Windows Phone enough headroom for normal multitasking. The 32GB of internal storage was useful, and microSD expansion made the phone better suited to storing music, videos and high-resolution photographs.
Australian network and buying considerations
The Lumia 1520 was particularly interesting in Australia because it arrived as 4G coverage was becoming a major selling point. Compatibility with local LTE bands mattered more than it did for an imported handset, and buyers needed to check the exact model before using it on Telstra, Optus or Vodafone networks. An overseas variant could work for calls yet provide limited 4G performance.
At launch, the phone occupied premium territory, with Australian pricing commonly positioned around the high-$800 range outright. Telstra stores and plans were important channels, while retailers such as JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman helped expose shoppers to the large-screen format. The final cost could vary with contract subsidies, outright stock and promotional offers, so launch pricing should be separated from later clearance deals.
For shoppers comparing the handset with current smartphone choices, the most important checks are network compatibility, software support and physical condition. A used Lumia 1520 may still have a bright screen and strong camera, but its battery will be older, and replacement parts are less readily available than they were when Nokia had a large retail presence.
Storage expansion was a genuine advantage in the local market. Australian users taking road-trip photographs, downloading offline maps or carrying television episodes for long flights could add a microSD card instead of relying entirely on internal storage. The removable card also made it easier to move media between devices, although application support for expandable storage varied.
How it compares with rival phablets
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 offered a more mature app ecosystem, a stylus and a removable battery, making it attractive to productivity-focused buyers. Its AMOLED display and Android customisation appealed to users who wanted flexibility. Nokia answered with a cleaner interface, a stronger emphasis on photography and a more distinctive design.
Sony’s Xperia Z Ultra delivered an even larger 6.4-inch screen and a slim, water-resistant body, but its camera was far less ambitious than the Lumia’s PureView system. The Lumia 1520 sat in a practical middle ground: large enough for media and work, yet more camera-focused and easier to carry than Sony’s giant handset.
Apple’s iPhone 5s was much smaller but had stronger access to applications, accessories and long-term developer support. The Lumia 1520 made a better case for navigation, photography and large-screen reading, while the iPhone remained easier to recommend for buyers who depended on specific apps. The contrast also reflects why some unusual phone designs, such as the later BlackBerry Passport, attracted loyal users without becoming mainstream.
The Lumia’s biggest weakness was never its processor or camera. It was the uncertainty surrounding Windows Phone’s future. Buyers who valued dependable access to banking, streaming, social and business applications had to accept compromises. Those who preferred long battery life, a distinctive interface and excellent mobile photography received a phone that felt genuinely different from the crowded Android market.
Nokia’s six-inch flagship remains an important example of how much innovation existed before smartphone design settled around narrower choices. It offered a high-quality screen, excellent endurance, expandable storage, strong LTE performance and a camera system that encouraged experimentation. Its limitations are clear today, especially around app availability and ageing hardware, but the device still represents a thoughtful attempt to make a phablet useful rather than merely enormous.
For collectors, Windows Phone enthusiasts and photography fans, the Lumia 1520 is worth investigating as a piece of mobile history. Check the exact Australian model, inspect the battery condition and test the camera, charging port, display and microSD slot before buying. Explore more launch history and buying analysis on New Mobile Arrivals to see how this ambitious Nokia compares with the phones that followed.