A few words before I begin: I USED to be an Android user and I've tried an iPhone but didn't "feel the love" there either.
About 2.5 years ago, I got hired by a firm that issued me my first Windows Phone; I had no choice in the matter. I was a die-hard Android fan and was displeased at the prospect of giving up my "preferred" platform......until I sat down and actually USED it.
I got this phone as my personal device the other day and it's been a gem like the other 2 Windows Phones I've had. So what if it doesn't have a 100-megapixel camera, 32-core processor, 64 GB of RAM, etc....my point is that Windows Phone doesn't NEED all that hardware to run properly (except for the camera if your only camera is your phone, but you can get a better camera with other Nokia models ;)).
Windows Phone doesn't come with TouchWhizz, MotoBlunder, HTC NonSense or any of that other bloatware, and runs very well without that stuff bogging it down like it does with most Android devices. Windows Phone isn't twitchy, touchy or glitchy like Android and doesn't have thousands of non-sensical unvetted garbage apps that don't work properly either (or conflict with the operating system). I haven't had any issues with my Windows phones acting like they're possessed (i.e. starting stuff up on their own without user intervention), haven't had to restart my phone because of a misbehaving app, and haven't had to pull the battery because it's frozen up.....EVER. My Windows phones have just worked, period, without fuss, and this one's no exception. Windows phones get their updates directly from Microsoft, without having to go through the manufacturer and carrier first. All Windows Phones operate the same; no learning curve when you switch phones. Best of all, they're as easy to use as an iPhone, and can be a whole lot cheaper.
Windows Phone also comes with some nice features built-in that would need to be downloaded on an Android phone via the Play Store. A mobile version of Microsoft Office is preinstalled, so no downloading ThinkFree Office to view or edit your Word and Excel files. Bing search includes a song-identification feature and barcode/QR code scanner; no need to download SoundHound or barcode scanner apps, as on an Android device. When you register your Windows Phone on windowsphone.com using your Windows Live (hotmail.com, live.com or outlook.com) account, you're able to view the content of your SkyDrive--pictures and documents (7 GB free storage for as long as you have your Windows Live account) from any computer connected to the internet. If you lose your phone, you can find it via GPS, make it ring, lock it, or erase the contents of the phone all from the windowsphone.com site. Again, all this is BUILT IN; no need to go download a bunch of apps to get that functionality. If you don't have a Windows Live account, you can create one using your existing email account if you want. Microsoft doesn't force you to get a Hotmail email address like Google forces you to get a Gmail address for Android phones. Syncing your music and pictures with your Windows 7/8 or Macintosh computer is a snap; no "drag and drop," it automatically downloads your pictures into your pictures folder and you can choose what music you want to sync and it happens automatically.
One built-in app that's worth special mention is "Local Scout." For travelers, this can be a lifesaver. Local Scout uses your phone's GPS to tell you what's near you, like restaurants, attractions, and places to shop. All you have to do is to tap on a business or attraction name and you can navigate to that business or attraction, call them, add them to your favourites and more, without leaving the app.
I guess what I'm saying is that if you want something as a playtoy and don't mind the fragmentation, frustration, glitches, force-closes, and misbehaving apps, then by all means, go get that 100-megapixel, 32-core, 64 GB RAM Android phone....it's gonna need all that hardware! However, if you want something that is useful, has a lot of built-in features, easy, doesn't fuss or fight with you, is fluid and smooth, and just plain works, then get a Windows Phone. If you want a great Windows Phone on a budget, get this one. It won't disappoint you.
Edit: It's been a few weeks since I've bought this device for personal use and it still runs like a champ. Recently, I had to switch my work device to a Galaxy S3 and this Nokia runs rings around the GS3, even though the GS3 has a better processor and 4 times the RAM. As soon as work is over, the GS3 gets put away and I switch back to my Nokia 520, and I'm happy again. I get 3 days out of this Nokia; the GS3 won't last a day without charging it.
Second Edit (6/7/2014): I downloaded the developer preview for Windows Phone 8.1 on this device and it works beautifully. Yes, great things are coming to Windows Phone, as the general release for WP 8.1 won't be out until summertime. WP 8.1 brings a notification bar that you can swipe down, showing missed calls, emails and texts, as well as toggle switches for wi-fi, bluetooth, airplane mode and screen rotation; you can also set a background wallpaper that shows through your live tiles; and the most important feature......CORTANA! Yes, Cortana, Microsoft's answer to Siri (Cortana works a whole lot better too) is even available for use on the "lowly" Nokia 520. You have to be a US resident for Cortana to work in the developer preview, no word yet if Cortana will be available outside the US in the official WP 8.1 release. Cortana even understands some sequential requests.....something Siri can't do. I put her up against Siri on an iPhone 5S and Cortana outperformed Siri by a comfortable margin.
Budget-minded fans take note: When Windows Phone 8.1 comes out this summer, you'll have the best features at an off-contract price that can't be beat. There's no reason, except for FUD about the Windows Phone platform, to own an Android or iPhone anymore now :D.
Third edit (2/4/2015): According to Microsoft, Cortana is available in several regions now outside the US, so if you live outside the US, give it a go, especially in UK and Australia. Windows Phone 8.1 will also be upgradable to Windows 10 when it's released, thereby unifying the experience across multiple devices.
Fourth edit (3/23/2016): Microsoft announced on 6/17/2016 that only a select few devices will be upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile, and this one isn't going to get the upgrade. The only x2x series device that will get the official upgrade is the Lumia 1520. Having used Windows 10 on a Lumia 920 before, I can say that going from 8.1 to 10 on a low-end device would be totally frustrating. The 920 lagged such that I noticed it, especially switching between apps and launching the Windows Store, camera, and Cortana. It was still usable and that was due to the fact that the 920 has 1 GB RAM. The 520 only has 512 MB RAM, so I wouldn't advise doing the upgrade on this phone. Given that, to upgrade, go to insider.windows,com and register as a Windows 10 mobile insider, download the Windows Insider app on your phone, launch the app and login with your Microsoft account, and then select the "Release Candidate" ring. Then, go to settings and check for updates.
A word of caution: Once you upgrade the device to Windows 10, you can't go back to Windows Phone 8.x. Conceivably, one could restore the device using the Nokia Recovery Tool or the Windows Device Recovery Tool, but that route hasn't been successful for me.
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From the manufacturer
Nokia Lumia 520
The more fun smartphone
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A more personal experienceWith Windows Phone 8, you can pin playlists, HERE routes, Web pages, and documents directly to the Start screen as Live Tiles to access your favorite things quickly. Add apps to your Live Tiles and resize them to suit your tastes. Microsoft Office is also built into your phone and easily synced with your laptop. |
Impressive featuresThe Nokia Lumia 520 GoPhone gives you experiences available only on a Lumia in a fun, affordable package. Innovations include the Windows Phone 8 operating system, a superior camera, and a super-sensitive 4 inch touchscreen that you can use even with long fingernails or gloves. |
Capture and relive great momentsCreate breathtaking images with Nokia digital camera lenses. Add motion to your pictures with Cinemagraph. Create a perfect group shot with Smart Shoot. Capture super-wide-angled pictures to take in more of the scene |
Windows Phone featuresIntroducing Windows Phone 8.1. See all of your chats, social updates and settings in the all-new Action Center. Personalize your start screen with your own background photo and watch your Live Tiles come to life in real-time. And the Word Flow keyboard anticipates every word you write, speeding up your conversations with friends. |
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MixRadio. The tunes you love, for free.MixRadio fills your day with free music. Choose from over 150 mixes or generate your own playlists. Take your favorite mixes offline and listen when you’re not connected. Share them with friends through your social networks, email or via SMS. (Data transfer charges may apply. Check with your provider.) |
Super-sensitive screen. Keep the gloves on.The 4-inch touchscreen on the Nokia Lumia 520 is so sensitive that you can even use it when wearing gloves or with your fingernails. So typing, chatting and surfing are easier and more convenient than ever. |
Free HERE Maps. Destinations uncovered.Discover hidden gems. Just type in your destination and HERE Maps will get you there quickly. If you’re driving, HERE Drive gives you turn by turn directions. And if you need to get across town on public transport, HERE Transit plots your quickest route, including departure times and walking distances. (HERE Drive on the Lumia 521 offers free drive navigation for a single country or region. Additional service upgrade can be purchased through the app.) |
Exclusive digital lenses. Add magic to your photos.The Nokia Lumia 520 comes with digital lenses built in – exclusive to Nokia and guaranteed to wow your friends. Add motion to your images with Cinemagraph. Take multiple photos with a single click using Smart Shoot, and edit effortlessly to make the perfect shot. |
Intuitive Touch Screen Interfa
Full touch-screen display and Widget tool bar keep your favorites close at hand.
HTML browser
Access full HTML-based Web sites and services so you can surf, search, and shop on the Internet.
GPS Receiver
GPS-enabled for use with maps, search, and other location-aware services.
Windows Phone 8
The smartphone reinvented around you.
Reviews with images
Great Phone, Need more effort on packaging.
Product is very cheap, great performance.Camera is great as expensive smartphones, Sound quality was good, Display is not an IPS, but it is great. (Think about price :D)Windows Phone 8 Interface looks good, response speed was also fast, but "Windows Store" has not much application as I expected.(My IMEI number started with "353", most unlock site saids "product dosent support unlock" I dont know why is it, please make sure your unlock capability when you are trying to unlock yourself.)Packaging was too bad.Packaged like ping-pong racket, hard to open.Chager and Cable, Manuals are not tied up.This is an phone, not a toy.Seems like more effort need on packaging.
