Nokia Lumia 521 / 520
Phone Scoop Review
May 31, 2013 by Eric M. Zeman
Nokia churns out another capable Windows Phone with the Lumia 521 for T-Mobile. See if this budget smartphone is the right pick for you in Phone Scoop's in-depth review. read review ›
User Reviews
Average Ratings
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I Love You Nokia and T-Mobile
Carrier: T-Mobile
Got this phone on T-mobile for a few bucks to try it out. I'll start by saying I'm a big fan of T-mobile. I love the lady in pink and I love the SIM cards.
Never liked windows but I always liked Nokia. This phone rocked! I really am thinking of switching from iOS to windows. I like it now, it's fast, simple and did what a phone should do. I got an outlook account because of this phone. I like outlook now a lot.
Pros: fast, white pretty back plastic, screen sensitivity, maps (best in the world my opinion because you don't need cell service for it) and battery life. Also liked the micro USB port. This is all coming from an iPhone guy.
Cons: camera, lack of apps I've grown accustomed to use. Not enough love for the phone.
I didn't keep the phone but I miss it terribly. I loved it for as long as I had it.
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411 on 521
Carrier: T-Mobile
As a user of many windows phone 7 phones, seeing this great deal from HSN I tried it out for now 2 weeks. First off, for the price you will not find a better phone with the features.
Pros: 4" screen usable with fingers or nails very clear
very loud speaker
memory card slot up to 64gb
very fast ui easy to setup and use
easy to read even with poor eyesight
good battery life and charges fast
nokia only apps add extra value
good camera even with low light conditions
Wi-Fi calling
Very light
people hub
Cons: No flash on camera
can only store videos, pics, and music on card
no apps on card
Still looking for exchangeable back plates for phone
All in all for a prepaid phone, you get a GREAT value
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Good Signal/Great Call Quality
Carrier: T-Mobile
OK I use to be a Windows phone user before Android. I handed my elderly mother and 14 year old, older androids that I had in storage and the Androids are too complicated.
The interface is a little bland, but for $80 the phone hit the high points. The call quality is nicer than some higher priced phones, the internet speeds were respectible and the phone connects well to Tmobile and Wifi.
I streamed a bit of music and I think it sounds great. I will see what my mom and teenage son think of the phone and update the review as needed.
The indoor picture of the phone was OK, haven't used it out of doors. Focus was a bit slow.
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Above Average
Carrier: AT&T
Pro's: many
Con's: battery lasts 5 hour MAX, sound quality on calls could be better. Screen is average, size and thickness is great. Surfing web is great. Out in the sunlight screen is washed out.
I like this phone - for its price its great. I have an iPhone 5s also.
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Great Phone!
Carrier: T-Mobile
Why oh why has Nokia hitched their star to the Windows 8 platform? I love this hardware. Nowhere can you find a phone to perform this well for the money. Camera is great (though no flash) and the hardware is top notch.
Pros:
Size (much more comfortable to carry than the huge phones)
Battery life
Software Response
Camera
Videos
Price
Cons:
Windows 8
No Flash
No LTE
