Nokia Lumia 1320: Big-Screen Windows Phone Value
The Nokia Lumia 1320 arrived when smartphones were growing into a new category. Its 6-inch screen sat between a conventional handset and a compact tablet, while Windows Phone 8 gave the device a clean, tile-based interface that felt different from Android and iOS. The hardware was deliberately less ambitious than the flagship Lumia 1520, though that compromise helped keep the price within reach of buyers wanting a large display.
For Australian readers, the Lumia 1320 remains an interesting snapshot of the 2013–2014 phone market. At the time, shoppers compared handset prices in Australian dollars, checked 4G band support before signing with Telstra or Optus, and often looked at unlocked deals through retailers such as JB Hi-Fi. The mobile launch archive provides useful context for understanding where this phablet sat among the Android, iPhone and Windows Phone releases of its era.
A Large Display In A Practical Body
The headline feature was the 6-inch IPS LCD with a 1280 x 720 resolution. That is modest by current standards, yet the 245 pixels per inch panel was perfectly serviceable for web pages, maps, email, social feeds and video. Windows Phone’s colourful Live Tiles also benefited from the extra space, allowing users to see more appointments, messages and news updates without constantly opening applications.
Nokia used a toughened glass layer and a bright, readable panel, although viewing angles and outdoor contrast were not at the level of premium Lumia models. The screen was large enough to make typing easier, but the 220-gram body and broad 85.9mm width meant it was a two-handed phone for many people. Sliding it into a jeans pocket could be awkward, particularly during a tram ride through Melbourne or a long commute across Sydney.
The design followed Nokia’s familiar polycarbonate formula. Rounded edges made the phone more comfortable than its dimensions suggested, and bright colour options gave it personality. The construction felt solid rather than luxurious, with a removable rear cover hiding the SIM and microSD slots. It was a sensible design for users who valued durability and practicality over a slim glass-and-metal finish.
Windows Phone Performance And Software
Under the casing, the Lumia 1320 used Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 400 platform with a dual-core 1.7GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. It was not a performance monster, but Windows Phone 8 was comparatively efficient. Swiping between Start screen pages, opening messages and checking contacts generally felt smooth, while basic games ran without much trouble.
The phone included 8GB of internal storage, with only part of that available to the user. The microSD card slot was therefore important for music, photos, offline maps and video. Buyers should remember that application support and storage handling on Windows Phone were different from Android, and some popular services had smaller or less frequently updated apps.
Windows Phone 8’s interface was one of the handset’s strongest points. Live Tiles offered information at a glance, the People Hub gathered social updates, and Microsoft services fitted naturally into the operating system. The experience was clean and consistent, though the Windows Phone Store had a much smaller catalogue than Google Play or Apple’s App Store. That limitation became increasingly noticeable as the platform aged.
| Phone | Screen | Processor | Rear camera | Battery | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nokia Lumia 1320 | 6-inch, 1280 x 720 | Snapdragon 400, dual-core | 5MP | 3400mAh | Windows Phone 8 |
| Nokia Lumia 1520 | 6-inch, 1920 x 1080 | Snapdragon 800, quad-core | 20MP | 3400mAh | Windows Phone 8 |
| Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 | 6.3-inch, 1280 x 720 | Dual-core or quad-core, depending on model | 8MP | 3200mAh | Android |
| Sony Xperia Z Ultra | 6.4-inch, 1920 x 1080 | Snapdragon 800, quad-core | 8MP | 3050mAh | Android |
The 5MP Camera Tells The Story
The rear camera was a 5-megapixel autofocus unit capable of recording 1080p video. In good daylight it could produce reasonable photographs for social networks, quick notes and casual family moments. Nokia’s camera application included useful controls for exposure and focus, and the large display made framing subjects straightforward.
Low-light performance was a clear weakness. There was no flagship-grade PureView sensor, and the lack of a sophisticated optical stabilisation system made night shots soft or noisy. The front-facing camera was basic as well, aimed at video calls rather than high-quality selfies. Buyers choosing the Lumia 1320 had to accept that the big screen and battery received priority over imaging hardware.
That balance made sense for the target market. A student, commuter or family user could use the camera to scan documents, photograph a whiteboard or capture a weekend at Bondi without paying for a premium imaging phone. Someone who cared deeply about travel photography would have been better served by the Lumia 1520 or a contemporary high-end Android handset.
Video recording was more useful than the still-image specification might suggest. Full HD capture, a large screen for playback and expandable storage made the phone a decent portable media device. It could handle a few episodes or music albums for a road trip, although the lack of a removable battery meant a power bank was still sensible for long days away from a charger.
Battery Life And Everyday Connectivity
The 3400mAh battery was one of the Lumia 1320’s major advantages. The 720p panel required less power than a full-HD display, and the mid-range Snapdragon chipset was not excessively demanding. Moderate users could often reach the end of a full day comfortably, while lighter users might stretch usage into a second day.
Battery performance naturally depended on mobile data, screen brightness, navigation and streaming. A day spent using GPS around Brisbane, uploading photos over 4G and watching video would reduce the advantage quickly. Still, compared with many thin smartphones of the same period, this Lumia had reassuring endurance. It was the kind of phone that could survive a long shift, a university day or a drive between regional towns without constant searching for a wall socket.
Connectivity varied by model and market. Some versions offered LTE, while others were limited to 3G, so Australian buyers needed to verify the exact product code and supported frequencies. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone did not always use identical spectrum arrangements, and imported stock could work imperfectly even when the phone accepted an Australian SIM. Dual-SIM versions were available in selected markets, but availability was not universal.
Call quality was generally dependable, and the phone supported Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC on appropriate variants. The larger body left room for a strong earpiece and speaker arrangement, although the loudspeaker was not a substitute for a dedicated portable speaker. For regional Australian buyers, coverage compatibility mattered more than headline LTE branding.
Price, Rivals And Australian Relevance
The Lumia 1320 was designed as an affordable phablet, positioned beneath the Lumia 1520. Its appeal came from the combination of screen size, battery capacity and operating system rather than any single premium specification. In Australia, the real value depended on whether the handset was purchased outright, bundled with a plan, or imported through an online seller.
Retail buyers could compare it with the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3, Sony Xperia Z Ultra and cheaper Android models with large screens. The Galaxy Mega offered broader Android app access, while the Xperia Z Ultra delivered a sharper display and a much faster processor. The Lumia 1320 answered with a simpler interface, strong battery life and a sturdier, more distinctive design. Its main concern was the smaller Windows Phone application ecosystem.
Australian pricing also had to account for warranty and network support. A grey-import bargain might look attractive in an online listing, yet a local retailer could provide easier returns and clearer compatibility information. The same practical calculation applied to other entry-level phones; the discussion of the Galaxy Ace 4 successor shows how buyers often weighed modest specifications against affordability and brand familiarity.
The handset suited people who wanted a large map, readable web pages and dependable battery life without paying flagship money. It was less suitable for anyone demanding a pocket-friendly phone, a high-end camera or guaranteed access to every major app. For an Australian household seeking a straightforward secondary handset, the 1320 could make sense, especially when discounted or sold with a suitable prepaid plan.
The Nokia Lumia 1320 stands as a clear example of mid-range design priorities from the Windows Phone era. Its 6-inch 720p display was generous, the 3400mAh battery was genuinely useful, and the interface remained fast for everyday tasks. The 5MP camera, limited storage and smaller app ecosystem reveal where Nokia saved money, but those compromises also explain how the device reached a broader audience.
Explore its specifications alongside other phones from the same period, check the exact Australian network variant, and compare local warranty terms before buying a used or imported unit. For readers interested in how mobile technology evolved from large-screen Windows phones to today’s affordable smartphones, the New Mobile Arrivals archive offers a useful place to continue that research.