Hello there,

I'm currently using an iPhone 5s and am considering making the switch to the Nokia Lumia 1020.

I know there's a dearth of apps that aren't available on Windows Phone but there are only a few I ever use anyway.

Have you got a Lumia 1020? If so, what are your thoughts? Pros and cons?

Thank you.

If I am honest I would wait a couple of months as I believe the Lumia brand will be launching a new pure view flagship that has a 1080p screen and what not. I am not referring to the 930 that is due to launch but a successor to the handset you mention.

However having used the handset it takes photos incredibly well and is the best on the market bar none. It has a multitude of options available to even satisfy the budding pro in all of us. I have seen photography students use it as a useful point and shoot when they don't have their SLR on hand.

Windows Phone isn't bad, it has most of the mainstream apps, but also it offers a different experience which few of your friends or family will be able to claim to.

The camera on the 1020 is pretty good, although I would be happier if it had a "neutral" colour balance option. The only camera that betters it is the predecessor the 808, so thats academic.

Overall performance on the 1020 is excellent, everything works extremely smooth, no obvious "lag". Also have an iPhone 4S, and haven't found any major missing applications on WP, at least not for my usage. And I've found WP to have a better interface in almost every area aside from the music player (sounds good, but is a little clunky).

Chances are that for most peoples usage, something like the 930 probably offers everything that they're likely to want - the 1020 camera is better, but not by as much as Nokia would like you to believe. It'll be interesting to see what the 1020 successor will offer.

Thank you for the replies; I appreciate you taking the time to give honest opinions.

I'll have fire for a while longer then; to see what the next flagship Lumia brings in terms of updated features etc.

I know there's more to imagery than megapixels etc (and I've a D-SLR for more 'serious' work) but I fancy a change from iOS if I'm honest.

Changing from iOS is no bad thing, I say that as an iPhone user myself. Windows Phone has a bit of a of a learning curve but not a steep one. Once you get used to how it works and in the way it works you will wonder how iOS can't match it. I have to be fair to both iOS and WP they both have an exceptionally fluid and polished user interface. Honestly speaking I do prefer the look of WP as its inviting as well as intriguing, I don't have one as my main device however seeing what Lumia range puts out will definitely make me consider leaving iPhone behind.

The real benefit of the 1020 is the lossless zoom, and the ability to crop afterwards (or even zoom out). Of course this means storing the original 38MP image as well as the 5MP one.

Given you're getting a 5MP image most of the time, the 930 (or the 1520) or any other Lumia with the 20.7MP camera, is probably more than sufficient and means losing the bulge of the 1020 camera (but also the Xenon flash unless you get one of the US models that has this, like the Icon?).

Since the latest update on the Xperia Z1/Z1 Compact (and I guess the Z2) I am now getting stunning shots from my Z1 Compact (20.7MP camera) and it seems Sony has finally got its camera app to get the full potential from the sensor, much like Nokia has with its own sensors. Of course, none of these are Windows Phones.

To keep on topic, since I have been able to get shots like the one below I don't feel it as necessary to take my 1020 (with the camera grip and also running Windows Phone 8.1) out as much as I did.

There's something about the 1020, and Windows Phone in general, that is still keeping me from making the switch - but I can't say it won't all click into place in the future.

BTW, here's a photo I got over the weekend. Let me point out that it has been enhanced by Google+ when it was auto backed up, but I can provide the original for anyone that is sceptical. The point is, even though Google upped the saturation, you can see the level of detail in the photo (if you download the original). It's every bit as good as the Lumia 1520 camera, and a reason why the 1020 is perhaps overkill for a lot of people.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hlp7sj18jw...8-enhanced.JPG

If you're a pixel peeper, the Z1/Z2 still don't get close to the 1020, but then not that many people are truly that sad (honestly, I'm not!!!).

Interesting that you say that about WP, as I feel the same about Android - i really don't like it as a phone OS. Reckon its a great tablet OS, but on a phone it just leaves me cold. It just feels clunky on a phone.

Personally wouldn't be without the 1020 (and 808), as I'm regularly in situations where the xenon flash is needed (my kids at night, fill in flash, clubs, etc.), and the LED units just don't work well under those conditions.

Interesting that you say that. I love android on my nexus 5 but on a tablet, frankly it sucks, mainly due to the non optimised apps, but also it's nowhere near as good under the fingers.

I don't think Android is quite there yet on a tablet either. Most tablets don't make good use of the larger screen size.

Samsung has been pretty good by allowing split screen views, or windowed applications, and others have done similar - but it really needs to be part of the OS.

Many apps designed by developers for a phone screen/size would work very well in a windowed environment and don't always need to be full screen. I am also thinking more of the larger screen tablets, and also when you might mirror the display on a TV/monitor and use with a mouse/trackpad and keyboard.

I expect Microsoft will get this right first.

At least for my usage, Android apps on the tablet are perfectly optimised for that environment. Its primarily games and browsing - both of which are better on a larger screen.

I think I'd happily swap my nexus 7 for a decent 7 or 8 inch windows tab.