Nokia Lumia 720|Specification|Review|

At a Glance

    • Main camera sensor: 6.7 MP

    • Display size: 10.92cm

    • Processor name: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4

    • Talk time (3G): 13.4h

    • Standby time (3G): 520h

    • Music playback time: 79h

Specification

    Performance

        Do more. Wait less: Tap into faster performance. The Qualcomm Snapdragon processor CPU cores enable extra performance when you need it and puts you in charge of running the most demanding applications, including gaming, photography, as well as business and personal productivity.

    Power consumption

        Less charging. More doing: The Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor unique asynchronous technology enables each core to power up and power down independently, resulting in maximizing core performance level without wasting battery power.

    Technology

        Beyond mobile. And beyond all expectations: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 processor is a highly integrated, mobile-optimized system on a chip that delivers dynamic, immersive experiences and powerful, battery-friendly performance that can put new possibilities in your hands.

Dimensions	Height: 127.9 mm
	Width: 67.5 mm
	Thickness2: 9 mm
	Weight: 128 g
	Volume: 78 cm³
Display and User Interface	Display size: 10.92 cm
	Display resolution: WVGA (800 x 480)
	Display features: Orientation sensor, High brightness mode, Ambient light sensor,
	Sunlight readability enhancements, Color boosting, Corning Gorilla Glass 2, Sculpted glass
	Display colors: TrueColor (24-bit/16M)
	Aspect ratio: 15:9
	Pixel density: 217 ppi
	Display technology: IPS, ClearBlack
	Display height: 94 mm
	Display width: 56 mm
	Touch screen technology: Super-sensitive touch
	Sensors: Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Magnetometer
Keys and Input Methods	User Input: Touch
	Operating keys: Volume keys, Camera key, Lock key
	Form factor
Connectivity	SIM card type: Micro SIM
	Dual SIM: No
	Charging connectors: Micro-USB
	AV connectors: 3.5 mm audio connector
	System connectors: Micro-USB-B
	USB: USB 2.0
	Bluetooth: Bluetooth 3.0
	Bluetooth profiles: Object Push profile (OPP) 1.1, Hands-free profile (HFP) 1.5, Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) 1.0, Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) 1.2, Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) 1.4
	Wi-Fi: WLAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
	Wi-Fi security modes: WPA2 (AES/TKIP), WPA, WPA-Personal, WEP, PEAP-MSCHAPv2, EAP-SIM, EAP-AKA
Data Network	GSM network: 1800 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1900 MHz
	GSM max data speed DL: EGPRS 236.8 kbps
	GSM max data speed UL: EGPRS 236.8 kbps
	WCDMA network: 900 MHz, 2100 MHz, 1900 MHz, 850 MHz
	WCDMA max data speed DL: HSDPA - 21.1 Mbps
	WCDMA max data speed UL: HSUPA - 5.76 Mbps
Power Management	Battery model: BP-4GW
	Battery capacity: 2000 mAh
	Battery voltage: 3.7 V
	Removable battery: No
	Talk time (2G): 23.4 h
	Standby time (3G): 520 h
	Talk time (3G): 13.4 h
	Music playback time: 79 h
	Maximum Wi-Fi network browsing time: 13.4 h
	Wireless charging: Yes, with accessory cover
Processor	Processor name: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4
	Processor type: Dual-core 1 GHz Dual-core 1 GHz
Memory	User data storage: In device, Memory card, SkyDrive cloud storage
	RAM: 512 MB
	Mass memory: 8 GB
	Expandable memory card type: MicroSD
	Maximum memory card size: 64 GB
	Free cloud storage: 7 GB
Productivity features	Personal information management features: Calculator, Clock, Calendar, Phonebook, Alarm clock, Social networks in Phonebook, OneNote, Wallet, Family Room, Kid's Corner
	Business apps: Adobe acrobat reader free download, Lync (Corporate IM) free download, SkyDrive storage for documents and notes, Office apps: Excel, Word, Powerpoint, OneNote
	Document formats supported: Excel, PDF, Word, Powerpoint
	Sync type: Exchange ActiveSync, Mac companion app, Windows 8 companion app
	Sync content: Calendar, Video, Pictures, Music, Contacts
Other Applications	Game features: DirectX 11, Touch UI, XBox-Live Hub
	Graphics format: JPEG
Software platform & User Interface	SW Platform: Windows Phone
	Software release: Windows Phone 8
Email and Messaging	Email clients: Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, Outlook Mobile, Gmail, Office 365, Nokia Mail, Windows Live / Hotmail / Outlook.com, MS Exchange Active Sync
	Email protocols: SMTP, IMAP4, POP3
	Email features: Viewing and editing of email attachments, Always up to date, Multiple simultaneous email accounts, Text-to-speech message reader, Email attachments, Conversational view on email, Inbox filtering, HTML viewer
	Supported instant messaging services: Twitter, LinkedIn, Windows Live Messenger, Skype IM
	Messaging features: Integrated text messaging and chat, Instant messaging, Concatenated SMS for long messages, List of recently used numbers, Audio messaging, Text-to-speech message reader, Text messaging, Unified MMS/SMS editor, Automatic resizing of images for MMS, Distribution lists for messaging, Multimedia messaging, Conversational chat style SMS
Call management	Call management features: Call waiting, Voice mail, Integrated hands-free speakers, Call forwarding, HD audio, Call history, Voice dial, Video call, Conference call, Skype voice call
	Video call features: Skype video call
	Supports amount of contacts: Unlimited
	Ringtones: Downloadable ringtones
	Noise cancellation: Yes
	Speech codecs: AMR-WB, GSM FR, AMR-NB, GSM HR, EFR, GSM EFR
Security	Enterprise security features: Remote security policy enforcement
	General Security features: Remote device locking via Internet, Secure NFC, Track and Protect via internet, Firmware update, Remote wipe of user data via Internet, Device lock, Device passcode, PIN code, Firmware and OS integrity check, Secure device start-up, Application sandboxing and integrity check
	Advance security features: Lost device tracking, Browser integrated anti-phishing
	Data encryption: User data encryption for device
Browsing and Internet	Internet browser capabilities: Internet Explorer 10
	Social apps: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter
	Photo sharing: Share over Bluetooth, Facebook, Send as email attachment, SkyDrive
	Video sharing: Video sharing to social network and internet, Facebook, SkyDrive
	Location sharing: WP location sharing
	Wi-Fi hotspot: Up to 8 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
GPS and navigation	Location and navigation apps: Local Scout, HERE Drive, HERE Maps, HERE Transit, HERE City Lens
	Navigation features: Pin places to Start screen, Public transportation routing guidance, Reveal the surrounding places, Reviews, info and photos for places, Routing options, Save favourite destinations, Call, share and get directions to places, Free maps, Save and sync favs with maps.nokia.com, Find upcoming departure times, See places through the camera viewfinder, Live traffic information, Automatic day/night view switching, Venue maps - shopping and transport centers, Free voice guided turn-by-turn drive navigation, Offline maps, Online and offline favourites, Speed limit warnings, LiveSight
	Location technologies: Magnetometer, A-GPS, Glonass
Main camera	Main camera sensor: 6.7 MP
	Main camera focus type: Auto focus with two-stage capture key
	Camera digital zoom: 4 x
	Carl Zeiss Tessar lens: Yes
	Sensor size: 1/3.6"
	Main camera f-number/aperture: f/1.9
	Camera focal length: 26 mm
	Camera minimum focus range: 10 cm
	Camera image formats: JPEG/Exif
	Flash type: LED flash
	Flash operating range: 1.0 m
	Flash modes: Off, Automatic, On
Main camera features	Main camera - other features: Touch focus, Landscape orientation, Auto and manual exposure, Auto and manual white balance, Still image editor, Full screen viewfinder, Geotagging, True 16:9 sensor, Backside-illuminated image sensor, Automatic photo upload to web services, Full resolution photo and video upload
	Digital camera add-ons: Cinemagraph lens, Smart Shoot lens, Panorama lens, Bing vision
Image capturing	Capture modes: Video, Still
	Scene modes: Automatic, Night Portrait, Sports, Night, Close-up, Backlight
	White balance modes: Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Daylight, Automatic
	Light sensitivity: ISO 100, ISO 800, Automatic, ISO 200, ISO 400
	Photos viewed by: Camera Roll, Month, Favorites, Album, Photos from social networks
Secondary camera	Secondary camera resolution: 1280 x 960  pixels
	Secondary camera f-number/aperture: f/2.4
	Secondary camera - other features: Video recording, Still image capture, Video call, HD 1.3 MP wide angle, Glam Me Lens
Music format	Codecs: MP3, AMR-NB, WMA 10 Pro, GSM FR, WMA 9, AAC LC, AAC+/HEAAC, eAAC+/HEAACv2
	Audio playback file formats: ASF, MP4, AAC, AMR, MP3, M4A, WMA, 3GP, 3G2
Radio	Radio features: Internet Radio
Voice and audio recording	Audio recording file formats: AMR
	Audio recording codecs: AMR-NB, GSM FR
	Audio recording features: Mono with high dynamics
Main video camera	Camera video resolution: 720p (HD, 1280 x 720)
	Camera video frame rate: 30 fps
	Camera video zoom: 4 x
	Video playback frame rate: 30 fps
	Video playback codecs: VC-1, Windows video, H.264/AVC, H.263, MPEG-4
	Video playback file formats: MP4, ASF, WMV, AVI, 3GP, 3G2, M4V, MOV
	Video recording formats: MP4/H.264
	Video white balance modes: Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Automatic, Daylight
Main video camera features	Video streaming: YouTube browsing and video streaming, Progressive video download, Streaming from video services and internet
	Video recording features: Video light, Video zoom, Continuous autofocus
Secondary video camera	Secondary video camera resolution: 720p (HD, 1280 x 720)
	Secondary camera video recording format: MP4/H.264
Environmental features	Materials: Free of PVC, Contains recycled metals, Free of nickel on the product surface, Free of BFR, rFR as in Nokia Substance List
	Energy efficiency: Automatic screen brightness adjustment, Battery saver feature, Energy efficient charger
	Eco content and services: Available at Marketplace, HERE Drive: route optimization, HERE Maps: pedestrian navigation
	Recycling: 100% recoverable as materials and energy
	User guide: Small printed guide, full on nokia.com, In-device user guide
	Packaging: Made of renewable materials, Containing up to 60% recycled materials, Packaging is 100 % recyclable
Accessibility features	Hearing: Vibrating alerts, Video call
	Vision: Voice recognition, Vibrating alerts, Zoom, Audio messages, Voice commands
	Physical skills: Speakerphone, Voice recognition, Audio messages, Voice commands

  

Build/ Design

It's easy to fall in love with the Lumia 720. Industrial design has always been Nokia's strength, and with the 720, the company seems to have outdone itself. The 720 takes Lumia 920's solid build and packs it in a smaller package that fits perfectly in the hand. The Lumia 920 was ridiculed for being too heavy - and rightly so - and even though the 720 is no 920 replacement, we can't help but feel that, at least as far as design is concerned, this is the phone that Nokia's previous flagship should've been. We much prefer the matte finish on our Red Lumia 720 to the glossy Yellow 920 we got. Fingerprints are no issue with the 720, with the body as well as the screen remaining practically smudge free. The button placement on the Lumia 720 is similar to other recent members of the family. The right edge has the volume rocker, the power/ lock button and the dedicated camera button towards the bottom. The top edge has the microSIM and headphone jack, while the left and bottom edges feature the microSD slot and Micro-USB ports, respectively.

Below the screen are the three standard Windows Phone buttons: Back (which doubles up as an app switcher on long press), Windows/ Home (long press for Speech) and the Search button, that continues to be as useless as ever even for Bing users like us, as it just brings up a Bing search box. We really wish Microsoft offered a unified search instead, or let us configure this button to launch something else entirely. Just above the display we have the Nokia branding and ear piece grill, with the front-facing camera just to the left.The back of our Red Lumia 720 has the rear-camera lens in the centre right next to the LED flash and Carl Zeiss branding. A NOKIA logo sits back in the middle, with the bottom part having three wireless charging pins and barely legible certification info as well as the text Made in China embossed. A speaker grill sits on the bottom left corner. All in all, we'd go so far as to say that the Lumia 720 is our favourite Nokia phone till date, at least as far as industrial design is concerned.

Display

Nokia Lumia 720 comes with a 4.3-inch display of 480x800 pixels resolution, translating to a density of 217 pixels per inch. While that doesn't sound impressive, the real life experience is quite good. Colour reproduction on the ClearBlack LCD is quite accurate. The viewing angles and outdoors visibility are as good as you'll come across. Like the Lumia 920, you can operate 720's touchscreen while wearing gloves. Overall, while we sure wish the 720 sported a higher resolution display, there's no doubting the quality of this one.

Camera

The Lumia 720 comes with a 6.7-megapixel rear camera with Carl Zeiss optics that is a solid performer overall. The camera takes good photos outdoors when there's plenty of light. The colours look natural and don't appear saturated or artificial in any way. However, pictures clicked under bright artificial lights appear a little washed out. In low light conditions, the Lumia 720 shines bright (pardon the pun). The LED flash works surprisingly well, and illuminates the subjects within its range uniformly. Even when you choose to disable the flash, the 720 delivers good results - not quite the 920 low-light image quality, but then this is a phone that costs half as much, which makes it especially great.

The camera software lets you tweak a few settings for still pictures like Scenes (Auto, Close-Up, Night, Portrait, Night Portrait, Sports, Backlight), ISO, Exposure Value, White Balance, Aspect Ratio, and Focus Assist Light. The bundled Smart Lenses like Smart Shoot, Cinemagraph, Nokia Glam Me, Panorama and Bing Vision. We had mixed results with these. Cinemagraph (create GIFs from images) and Nokia Glam Me (add effects to images) are gimmicky at best, they work as advertised. However, when you come to Smart Shoot and Panorama, things get a bit rough.

Smart Shoot is Nokia's much advertised feature that detects faces - and other objects - and lets you do things like removing unwanted things from a photo and/ or mix and match 'faces' from a series of photos taken in the same setting. While this makes for a great demo, real life results leave a lot to be desired, as the phone failed to detect many faces in a group photograph. The front features much thinner bezels on the side, again, compared to the 920, which had a display that looked bigger than it really was, due to the wasted space on all four sides. While the Lumia 720 display isn't exactly edge-to-edge, it makes much better utilisation of the space.

Similarly, Panorama is a horrible implementation of what has become a standard feature in most phones. Instead of holding up your phone and just moving it around to take a Panorama, NOKIA chose to go a peculiar way. Click a photograph and watch it appear on the left most corner of your screen and stay there. You are then expected to align this picture with the real world view that you see on your screen, and when the two are perfectly aligned, click another one. And so on, so that the phone can 'stitch' these photos together. This definitely feels like an implementation from a bygone era that people are unlikely to put up with to click Panoramas from their Nokia Lumia 720. The Lumia 720 is capable of recording only 720p video, which may disappoint the spec crazy, but is unlikely to be missed by most. There's no fancy stuff like image stabilisation - as found in the Lumia 920 - still, the smartphone is capable of taking decent videos. The built-in mic does a capable job of picking up the sounds, and the audio quality is good as well. The 1.3-megapixel front camera can record 720p videos. Like most front cameras, it does a good job for video chats, and still photography in well-lit conditions, but leaves a lot to be desired in dim lights.

Software/ User Interface

Nokia Lumia 720 runs on Windows Phone 8, which means there isn't much room for customisation, other than preloading certain apps. Similar to its other Windows Phone 8-running Lumia cousins, the 720 comes with a host of pre-installed apps like BIGFLIX (entertainment), BookMyShow (booking tickets), Cosmopolitan (lifestyle magazine), HERE Drive, HERE Maps, Hike (messaging), Nokia Music, TripAdvisor (travel), and Zomato (food/ restaurants guide).

Standard apps like Internet Explorer, Office, One Note, Wallet, and the experience is no different than any other Windows Phone 8 device. As mentioned in the Camera section, the phone comes with some lenses, which also show up as stand-alone apps. These are Bing Vision, Cinemgraph, Nokia Glam Me, Panorama and Smart Shoot.PhotoBeamer is another interesting app that lets you beam your photos to any computer over Wi-Fi, providing an instant, wireless slideshow you can see over a large screen. During our tests, this worked as advertised. Xbox games is your gaming hub, where most games get installed by default. You can maintain your profile and do other related activities. We are big fans of the Transfer My Data app, which imported contacts and messages from our old Nokia phone over Bluetooth with minimum fuss. Another one of our personal favourites, the Drive app performs great as ever, and it remains our preferred navigation app on any platform, even above Google Maps. Nokia Music - with free, downloadable, DRM-free music for a year, is always well received as well.

Performance/ Battery Life

The Nokia Lumia 720 handles pretty much everything you throw at it without any hiccups. Yes, there's no quad-core processor, but you are unlikely to miss that in every day activities. From browsing, to playing music, to emails or editing Office files, everything goes off smoothly. One area where we were keen to put Lumia 720 under the test was gaming. We installed quite a few games on our 720, including popular titles such Angry Birds, AE Bowling 3D, Ice Age Village, AE 3D Motor, 3D Brutal Chase, and AE Fruit Slash. We were able to play all these games without any hiccups.

One disappointing aspect of the Lumia 720 is the 512MB RAM, which means we couldn't even install games like Temple Run that need 1GB RAM. While we are disappointed with Nokia's decision to ship with half the RAM of what many cheaper Android phones are shipping with, we hope developers of games such as Temple Run can optimise their apps not to be so resource hungry. Perhaps that is an issue for Microsoft to address as well, as devices with much lesser RAM are able to run these games fine on other platforms. Call quality on the Lumia 720 is rock solid, like most other Nokia phones. We are no fans of having loudspeaker on the back of the phone, since the sound gets muffled when the phone is lying face up, and, sadly, the 720 suffers on that front. The loudspeaker output is otherwise quite good. The phone takes a Micro-SIM and comes with expandable storage via a microSD card.

The Nokia Lumia 720 is unlikely to need a bail out in the middle of the day as far as battery life is concerned. On a full charge, we were able to get more than 26 hours before reaching for the charger, with the phone on 3G all the time and the screen set to full brightness. We also had three email accounts, two Twitter accounts and one Facebook account configured with notifications enabled, along with some amount of browsing, checking & sending emails, Twitter & Facebook usage, clicking pictures, and listening to our favourite songs on Nokia Music - or as we call it, just another day.

Verdict

At Rs. 18,999, the Nokia Lumia 720 is a really attractive proposition. The phone checks all the right boxes, from great looks, to a camera that performs quite well, and hardware that handles pretty much everything you throw its way. Yes, Windows Phone still has a long way to go before it can begin to compete with Android and iOS, but unless you are someone who must have access to the latest apps, it will do the job for you, since most popular titles, barring a few high-profile exceptions   are already here.