Nokia Lumia 521

Overview

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 7 expert reviews

Excellent:

0
Good:

0
Average:

3
Bad:

4

Pros:

Quality camera for price.
Compact and solid design.
Intuitive and customisable interface.

Cons:

Low-resolution display.
No 4G LTE support.

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Last revision on January 14, 2015

Reviewers Liked

Quality camera for price
Compact and solid design
Intuitive and customisable interface
Loud audio
Comfortable
Compact design
Speedy performance
Good call quality

Reviewers Didn't Like

Low-resolution display
No 4G LTE support
Below average battery life
Lacks front camera
Narrow viewing angles on display
Screen collects smudges and dirt easily
Slower 4G speeds than most phones

Expert reviews and ratings

Nokia's Lumia 521 is a solid Windows Phone smartphone for just under $100, but it's missing key features like LTE and a camera flash, which are found on competing Android...

By itreviews.com on November 27, 2013

Our final rating is going to be an 7 out of 10. While there are a lot of limitations and areas that are lacking with the Lumia 521, the big draw for it is its pricing. Given the crazy low price, there is a huge amount of value included with this phone...

By Pocketnow on August 29, 2013

The Lumia 521 gives shoppers an affordable, easy-to-use and attractive Windows Phone without a contract on T-Mobile's network -- if you're willing to skip certain...

By LaptopMag on July 10, 2013

The Nokia Lumia 521 is the kind of budget phone that really feels like one. It has some nice aspects – speedy performance, decent design, good call quality – but they're overshadowed by the mediocre display and slow mobile data speeds. Plus, Windows...

By Digital Trends on June 27, 2013

The Nokia Lumia 521 is one of the best values available from T-Mobile USA at the moment. The 521 has a pleasing design and solid build quality. The hardware functions very well and surpasses most other Android smartphones I've seen in the same device...

By Phone Scoop on May 31, 2013

Nokia's Lumia 521 is one of the best bargain smartphones on any platform, but skip it if LTE is of paramount...

By CNET Australia on May 25, 2013

The Nokia Lumia 521 for T-Mobile is a good smartphone for a great price, as long as you don't mind Windows Phone's lack of...

By PC Mag on May 21, 2013

The Nokia Lumia 521 has a 4-inch LCD display, which is the smallest screen found on the latest Nokia touchscreen phones. The touchscreen has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and is sensitive enough that you can use it while wearing gloves or with long...

By TopTenREVIEWS on June 30, 2014

Working to be the cost-cutting entry level to the Windows Phone 8 universe with the good ship Nokia – that’s the aim. That’s what this machine will do, too – expect quite a few upgrades to higher-powered Lumia devices once the 521 is paid for in full by users on T-Mobile.

By SlashGear on July 06, 2013

Years ago Nokia made a name for itself by pumping out great affordable phones, but somewhere along the way they lost their way, especially in the U.S. Fortunately, the 521 brings back that heritage. Sure, there is no front facing camera, or LTE, but...

By Chip Chick on June 21, 2013

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