Nokia Lumia 920 vs Samsung ATIV S: Spec Comparison

By Vamien McKalin | Sep 09, 2012 01:49 PM EDT

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Windows Phone 8 is getting all the attention it deserves following the unveiling of both the Samsung ATIV S and the Nokia Lumia 920 smartphones. Both of these devices are expected to lead the charge later in the year against the iPhone 5, and from what is said on paper, things could finally go Microsoft's way.

The big question however, is, which one of these smartphones is the better choice for consumers who are seeking a Windows Phone 8 smartphone this holiday season? Let's break it down for you to make your choice a little bit easier.

Design

The design of a phone is one of the biggest selling points; consumers love a phone that looks good in their hands. The Samsung ATIV S does not have an iconic design, however, that doesn't mean it is not a sight for sore eyes. The ATIV S measures 137.2 x 70.5 x 8.7mm and weighs 135g, while the back cover seems to be all metal and not the plastic finish we've come to expect from Samsung handsets.

The Nokia Lumia 920 on the other hand, is sleek, sexy and shiny. The device polycarbonate shell is the real winner here, and what truly sets it apart from every other competing smartphone out there looking for some well needed attention. The Lumia 920 measures 130.3 x 70.8 x 10.7mm and weighs 185g, so as you can tell, it is heavier than the ATIV S.

Display

This where things get interesting see. The Nokia Lumia 920 is packing a 4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ with IPS technology. The screen resolution is 1280x768, and according to Nokia, the screen has the fastest refresh rate ever seen in a smartphone. We're not done yet, Nokia also made it clear that the touchscreen supports the use of gloves or even a key to touch around the screen without any sign of stutter.

The Samsung ATIV S steps up to the plate with a massive 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD display that is similar to the one found on the Galaxy S3, so you know this beauty is packing a great display for the eyes.

Processor

Both the Nokia Lumia 920 and Samsung ATIV S are packing a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 1.5GHz dual core chip with LTE. Nothing else left to add here folks; both handsets should be just as speedy.

Camera

Every good s smartphone requires a good camera, and both the Nokia Lumia 920 and Samsung ATIV S are packing good cameras. The ATIV S 8 megapixel camera is similar to the one found on the Galaxy S3, which means this baby will no doubt take some great looking photos. The Nokia Lumia 920 on the other hand, is kicking back with an 8.7 megapixel camera with PureView technology at the helm. Not only that, but it comes with Optical Image Stabilization which promises stable recorded video and better photos.

Memory and Storage

The Samsung ATIV S packs a 1GB RAM, 16GB or 32GB storage depending on the version you choose, microSD card slot for additional storage, and 7GB free SlyDrive cloud storage. The Nokia Lumia 920 comes loaded with 1GB RAM, 32GB built in storage, 7GB free SkyDrive cloud storage. However, it lacks a microSD card slot, this could be one of the reasons some buyers might choose the ATIV S over the Lumia 920.

Connectivity

Both devices are fully equipped with LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Nothing much else to mention here.

Battery

The ATIV S battery is slightly larger at 2300 mAh, while the Lumia 920 sits back at 2000mAh. However, the Lumia 920 takes a step forward with Qi Wireless charging technology; this is not known to be a part of the ATIV S.

Pricing

At the moment, Nokia and Samsung has yet to talk about pricing and availability. One thing is for certain though, both smartphones will launch after the iPhone 5, which could potentially cause some problems.