Windows or iOS: What's Better? The Nokia Lumia 925 vs. The iPhone 5C

Some people know exactly which mobile phone they want to buy, whilst other shoppers get overwhelmed by all the options they have. It's hardly surprising that some people get confused when they're mobile shopping, since there are thousands of models available to choose from, and knowing which one is right for you can be tough. There are a couple of things that are going to influence your choice of new mobile phone though.

The first is obviously price. A new, top of the line mobile is going to run you around the £500 mark, and in today's economy that's a lot of money. You'll want to make sure that you're investing wisely and not wasting your hard earned cash. This should be a relatively long term investment, however, since most people only buy a new phone around once every two years.

The other factor effecting your decision will be performance. Getting a good quality and dependable mobile is essential, since so many of us are reliant on a mobile either for professional purposes or because we've given up our home land line phone. You want a phone that's going to do what you need it to do, and that means looking closely at the specs of the phones that you're interested in.

The only way to truly know that you're getting a good phone is to compare models to find out which offers the best specs for your money. This is easier said than done though. Mobile phone spec sheets detail all the features of a phone, but they're often so crowded with technical terminology and big numbers that reading them can be confusing for the average shopper. That's why we're here to help you out.

We've taken some of the best new releases on the mobile market and pitched models into head to head battles. This lets you see how phones compare and which the best buy is. If you're interested in getting a great new mobile, then just keep reading to find out which of today's two phones is the best.

Introducing the Two Phones...

Nokia are one of the oldest brands on the mobile market, and at this point they're best known for their Lumia line of Windows phones. The new Nokia Lumia 925 isn't the top of the line Lumia, but it does offer a nice set of specs for its price. It's the cheaper of the two phones that we're looking at today though, so does that mean that you need to compromise on performance?

Apple's iPhones don't really need an introduction. This year Apple released two new phones, the high end 5S and the slightly cheaper 5C. The iPhone 5C does have the sleek design and intuitive user interface that you'd expect to see from an iPhone, but it is also pretty pricey. Is it worth spending more to get your hands on the iPhone?

What You'll Pay...

If you want to buy your phone outright and unattached to a mobile operator then you'll need a SIM free hand set. The Nokia Lumia 925 is going to cost you around £430 SIM free, whilst the iPhone 5C will cost you about £470 for the 16 GB model and about £550 for the larger 32 GB model.

Alternatively, you can avoid paying full price up front by signing an incentive contract with an operator. The best deal on the Lumia right now is with Vodafone, and you'll pay no money down on a £25 a month calling plan. For the iPhone, the best deal currently is with O2, and again you'll pay no money up front, though this time it's a £32 a month calling plan.

Do remember that operator deals change quickly. We suggest using a tariff comparison site such as uswitch.com to make sure that you're getting the best and most up to date deals. You can find out more about your UK operator choices here.

What They Share...

Both of these are touch screen models and 4G capable. 4G will give you faster mobile Internet speeds, but you will need a special 4G data plan from your operator to avoid your phone using 3G networks by default. Both also have similar camera specs, with the Nokia having an 8.7 MP camera and the iPhone an 8 MP device.

What the Nokia Lumia 925 Does Better...

The Nokia Lumia 925 might be cheaper, but it has some important advantages over the iPhone 5C. It has a better processor, running a 1500 MHz model rather than the iPhone's 1300 MHz model, so it's faster, more powerful and more responsive.

The Lumia gets a bigger screen, with a 4 and a half inch display rather than the iPhone's 4 inch screen, so you get a better viewing experience and can type more easily on the on screen keyboard. The Lumia's AMOLED screen, as opposed to the older LCD style display on the iPhone, as well as the fact that it has forty per cent higher screen resolution, mean that you get a better and brighter picture on the Nokia.

Finally, the Lumia has a better battery as well. It gets around seventy per cent more stand by time per battery charge cycle as well as about eighty per cent more talk time, which means that you'll need to charge your phone a lot less often.

What the iPhone 5C Does Better...

The iPhone 5C is around ten per cent smaller than the Lumia model, though it does have that smaller screen. It's also a little lighter, weighing in at 132 grams versus the 139 gram Nokia. This makes the iPhone slightly more portable and easier to carry around in your pocket.

What's the Best Buy?

It's not a tough decision today. The Nokia Lumia 925 has a larger screen, faster processor and better battery life, plus it's cheaper too, all of which mean that it's a better buy than the iPhone 5C.

 

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