What's good
- Wireless charging
- Speedy performance with no lag
- Deep blacks and vibrant colors for display
What's bad
- Poor battery life
- Lack of games and apps
- Sluggish camera performance
After Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia, the Finnish phone company has pushed Microsoft forward in the smartphone department due in part to their solid phone designs. The Nokia Lumia 930 is no exception. Like the rest of the Lumia line, the 930's most striking feature is the bold orange and green color for the plastic back cover. Reviewers describe the colors as "vivid" with Mashable going even further by stating, "…the 930 [is] a pretty solid choice of handset for a hunting trip, so nobody accidentally mistakes you for a deer…" For those that want a more conservative look, it also comes in black and white.
While the bright colors might make the Lumia 930 look childish, experts praise the overall build quality noting that it feels solid and built to last. When compared to its predecessor, the Lumia 925, critics found the 930 to be chunkier, squarer and less comfortable to hold due in part to its large dimensions (5.4 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches) and hefty weight of 167 grams.
Following in the big phone trend, Nokia has opted for a 5-inch full HD display. With a pixel density of 441ppi, critics were pleased with the overall crispness of text and images though it lags behind LG G3's 534ppi. Besides the image clarity, reviewers also praise the phone's ability to offer deep, inky blacks, excellent contrast and rich, albeit slightly oversaturated colors.
Nokia didn't pull any punches in terms of internal hardware either. The Lumia 930 comes packed with a 2.2GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. CNET describes its performance as "extremely spritely" and adds that "Apps open with little delay…Gaming too is well within its capabilities." Reviewers mention that mobile gamers may be disappointed with the app selection as many games available on Android and iOS still have not made it over to the Windows ecosystem.
Powering the phone is a 2,420mAh battery. Nokia claims that the battery lasts around 15 hours of talk time over 3G, but unfortunately actual hands-on testing do not back these numbers. Most reviewers discovered that it could last around 7 hours of standard use which, while not horrible, is a bit of a downgrade when compared to the Samsung Galaxy S5. The battery is also non-removable though it does support QI wireless charging.
While the 930 doesn't have the monster 41MP camera of the Lumia 1020, it does manage to pack in a decent 20MP rear camera. Although reviewers found picture quality to be quite, the sluggish camera performance ultimately ruined the picture-taking experience. Trusted Reviews states, "In controlled close-up environments, it maintains great detail. But the moment there's motion in the scene it really struggles." As well, due to the lack of HDR mode, experts point out that the light and dark balance is often poor leading to washed out colors. Despite some issues, most were impressed with the camera's color reproduction and excellent low-light performance.
Most reviewers describe the Lumia 930 as one of the best Windows phone due to its solid internal hardware, unique appearance and good build quality. Still, they have a difficult time recommending it. Pocket Lint states, "The Lumia 390 is big, bold and has touches of brilliance…[but] there's still work to be done to truly set it apart from the competition." The Guardian adds, "The Lumia 930 is a solid phone, but not a remarkable one…there are better smartphones around for the same amount of money."
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Michael Allison, WMPoweruserTo sum it all, the Lumia 930 in 2015 is still a great device with a good screen, powerful processor and a great camera. If you're looking for a powerful flagship you should probably hold on for a few months, but if you're satisfied with "very good" and have a budget to keep to, the Lumia 930 is a gr...
- Alysia Judge, Beta NewsIf you've never tried a Windows smartphone before, the Lumia 930 is definitely the device to get you going. Its eye-catching design really makes it stand out from the crowd (a big plus point in an increasingly competitive market.) The camera is no 1020 -- but it's one of the best you'll find for eve...
- Michael Sawh, TrustedReviewsIf you're a Windows Phone devotee, the Nokia Lumia 930 is easy to recommend. It's not a perfect phone, but it's definitely the best Windows Phone currently on sale. It's very fast and runs the latest version of Windows Phone 8, which adds some nice extra features. For everyone else, while it's an v...
- Cosmin Vasile, SoftpediaOn paper, Nokia Lumia 930 may not look appealing enough for customers hunting for specs, but in reality the smartphone delivers one of the best hardware performances.
- Tim Schiesser, TechSpotThe Lumia 930 is not only Nokia’s best smartphone to date, but it’s also the best Windows Phone. Since the last standard-sized flagship, the Lumia 925, the company has managed to improve numerous aspects of the hardware to make it a true competitor to other smartphones on the market toda...
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Common Questions
Nokia backs up the Lumia 930 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Lumia 930 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Nokia support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Nokia's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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