The Keynote at Microsoft’s Build 2014 event held plenty of interesting information, but didn’t reveal a whole lot in terms of physical devices. Windows Phone is improving, though, and the newly announced Lumia 930 – running Windows Phone 8.1 – would like to lead a charge back to relevance for Windows Phone. It has a tough road ahead to accomplish that. Android has tons of great phones, including the new Samsung Galaxy S5, and Apple’s iPhone 5S is still a favorite. How does the Lumia 930 stack up against the flagship phones of other operating systems? We take a look at the specs to find out.
iPhone 5S |
Galaxy S5 |
Lumia 930 |
|
| Size | 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 (mm) | 142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1 (mm) | 137 x 71 x 9.8 (mm) |
| Weight | 112g | 145g | 167g |
| Screen | 4.0-inch LCD | 5.1-inch Super AMOLED | 5.0-inch TrueColor AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1136×640 pixels | 1080×1920 pixels | 1080×1920 pixels |
| OS | iOS 7 | Android 4.4.2 with Samsung UI | Windows Phone 8.1 |
| Storage | 16/32/64GB | 16/32GB | 32GB |
| SD Card Slot | No | Yes | No |
| Processor | 64-bit A7 chip | Quad-core Snapdragon 801 | 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 |
| RAM | 1GB | 2GB | 2 GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+ | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+, NFC | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+, NFC |
| Camera | Front 1.2MP, Rear 8MP | Front 2.1MP, Rear 16MP | Front 1.2MP, Rear 20 MP |
| Bluetooth | Yes, version 4.0 | Yes, version 4.0 | Yes, version 4.0 |
| Motion Processor | M7 chip | Heart Rate Monitor | Sensor Core |
| Gimmick | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Wireless Charging |
| Water Resistant | No | Yes, IP67 rated | No |
| Battery | 1570mAh | 2800mAh | 2420mAh |
| Charger | Lightning connector | MicroUSB (3.0) | MicroUSB (2.0), Wireless |
| Marketplace | Apple App Store | Google Play Store | Windows |
| Ave. Price | $200+ | $200+ | $599 (off contract) |
| Availability | AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mob | April on AT&T, Sprint | June 2014 |
Processor
The Galaxy S5 and Lumia 930 are easier to compare head to head in this category, since both rely on the power of a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The Galaxy S5 has the latest model, the 801, while the Lumia 930 has the slightly older but by no means outdated Snapdragon 800. In our review of the Lumia Icon, which shares its specs with the 930, we found the processor to be plenty capable so we have no concerns in regards to computing capabilities with the Lumia 930. The Galaxy S5 will still run faster thanks to its newer hardware.
Apple’s proprietary A7 chip stands out on the spec sheet. The iPhone 5S is still the only mobile device with a 64-bit architecture thanks to the chipset in the device. According to most benchmarking tests and in our own experience with it, the iPhone 5S is a very powerful phone. The processor does make a difference in this device, and a built-in dedicated motion processor is an added bonus. The Lumia 930 also has its own dedicated “sensor core” that can track steps and movement while it’s sleeping.
Camera
The iPhone 5S has the most basic cameras by the specs but in true Apple fashion, it still yields solid results despite the numbers not being as impressive. The Galaxy S5 has an improved 16-megapixel lens, part of a new push from the manufacturer to compete in this category. Samsung has also thrown in a ton of bells and whistles with its camera, including various shooting modes, effects, and editing suites to spruce up all of your shots.
As we’ve come to expect from Nokia, the Lumia 930 features an impressive camera. Lenses have become a major selling-, or at least talking-point for Nokia when it comes to its smartphones, and this device is no exception. The 20-megapixel PureView camera obviously jumps off the spec sheet as the biggest, thought that doesn’t always equal the best. The Lumia 930 will also come with an updated pack of imaging software, though the details are sparse.
Which is best?
The story the specs tell is that these phones all have their own specialties. Apple’s iOS makes the iPhone one of the easiest devices to pick up and immediately feel immersed in and features a powerful processing chip, the Galaxy S5 is packed with features that do a little bit of everything, and the Lumia 930 has a lens that would make any photography geek freak. And of course, there’s the whole issue of operating system. Get your hands on each before you make your decision.
