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[thirty]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Nokia-Lumia-521-4G-Smartphone/24099994

review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQhdUwLXxXY

includes-

Nokia Music with free offline mix downloads

Nokia Here/Drive with offline map downloads

also includes a micro sd card slot and numerous nokia exclusives like cinemagraph. for those who haven't tried a WP device, the platform performs incredibly smooth and fast even for low end devices such as this Lumia 521.

 

[kharma45]

Pretty much unbeatable for the price. For a first time smartphone buyer it's a pretty damn good option, and it'll hopefully sell enough to boost the weak US WP marketshare.

 

[A good poster]

If this doesn't save WP, then idk what will.

 

[crazy monkey]

this is amazing. I can not use it due to network

 

[RevDM]

Ya but is it one of those Walmart versions where it's only sold at Walmart? They do that shit for all their electronics.

 

[thirty]

pair this up with the walmart/t-mobile $30 a month unlimited text/data w/ 100 minute plan and it's an even better deal.

 

[Davey Cakes]

The best thing about this phone is the commercial. Gotta love how it plays off of the "iPhone vs. Android" bickering.

 

[Minion101]

How good is this as an iPod touch?

 

[kharma45]

How good is this as an iPod touch?

For purely music you'd be better off with the iPod.

 

[quaere]

Wonder how much of a loss Microsoft or Nokia are taking on this. I'm guessing there is no WP license fee and then it's probably still something like $10 - $20 per unit.

 

[sant]

That's a pretty good deal.

 

[Milchjon]

Also usable with gloves.

 

[campfireweekend]

The best thing about this phone is the commercial. Gotta love how it plays off of the "iPhone vs. Android" bickering.

The commercial isn't about this phone. Its about the Lumia 920. This one's an extremely low end smartphone that also runs windows phone OS.

Its really a testament to the OS that the bottom of the barrel for windows phone can still be desirable. Not like android where a low end phone like this would probably still be running gingerbread.

 

[WickedCobra03]

pair this up with the walmart/t-mobile $30 a month unlimited text/data w/ 100 minute plan and it's an even better deal.

So it will work with t-mobile and a micro-sim I'd assume? What about the data plan? My current iPhone 4S only gives me edge in the best case most if the time & GPRS in a lot of areas which is almost like not even having it. I can only really get 3/4G in Chicago downtown area. Would I be able to pick up their 3G/4g spectrum in most of the other places with this phone? I guess they have to convert their towers for the current iPhone, sbut witg the nokia, would it be able to pik up their current network and would Internet probably get better?

Edit: could I also get this deal in-store? Would best buy match since they are matching a ton of stuff these days?

 

[Stumpokapow]

If this doesn't save WP, then idk what will.

I got a WP7 phone off-contract for $75 like 3 years ago, from Wal-Mart.

 

[thirty]

So it will work with t-mobile and a micro-sim I'd assume? What about the data plan? My current iPhone 4S only gives me edge in the best case most if the time & GPRS in a lot of areas which is almost like not even having it. I can only really get 3/4G in Chicago downtown area. Would I be able to pick up their 3G/4g spectrum in most of the other places with this phone? I guess they have to convert their towers for the current iPhone, so would Internet probably get better?

it doesn't have LTE but it is HSPA+ 21 compatible which is much better than EDGE.

 

[thirty]

I got a WP7 phone off-contract for $75 like 3 years ago, from Wal-Mart.

the WP platform has only been out 2 1/2 yrs.

 

[bigtroyjon]

I got a WP7 phone off-contract for $75 like 3 years ago, from Wal-Mart.

Impressive considering WP7 launched 2.5 years ago.

 

[SCHUEY F1]

For Canadians it will also be released on Koodo for $150 very soon. Nokia Music is also expected to be announced foe Canada on the 15th.

 

[Danny 117]

Impressive considering WP7 launched 2.5 years ago.

Lol

Good price for what looks like a good phone. Great entry level WP.

 

[quaere]

Its really a testament to the OS that the bottom of the barrel for windows phone can still be desirable. Not like android where a low end phone like this would probably still be running gingerbread.

Depends on what you consider desirable of course...Gingerbread can run Spotify. Windows Phone can run a beta version of Spotify with half the features missing.

 

[flippedb]

I got a WP7 phone off-contract for $75 like 3 years ago, from Wal-Mart.

lol nice try.

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

like 3 years ago

 

[bidguy]

i guess there is no way to buy this from germany right ?

 

[Bboy AJ]

Looks nice. Great price.

 

[kirblar]

Is there a Phone-GAF for advice on this stuff?

 

[MCD]

*No Instagram.

 

[thirty]

Depends on what you consider desirable of course...Gingerbread can run Spotify. Windows Phone can run a beta version of Spotify with half the features missing.

true but the app market will change when the marketshare grows. for now, there are alternatives like xbox music.

 

[HollovVpo1nt]

Beautiful phone, beautiful OS, amazing price, great performance.

 

[flippedb]

If only it had Android.

 

[thirty]

*No Instagram.

rumored to be announced with the verizon 928 in the next coming days.

 

[nateeasy]

So will this work with my current Verizon plan?

 

[Magni]

*No Instagram.

I don't use Instagram but I'm hoping that it'll be announced/come out on the 14th as has been rumored for a while, just to shut you guys up

 

[campfireweekend]

Depends on what you consider desirable of course...Gingerbread can run Spotify. Windows Phone can run a beta version of Spotify with half the features missing.

Tell me with a straight face you'd prefer gingerbread to windows phone 8 based solely on user experience. Low end android lag is unbearable. You get the fluidity of high end android on jelly bean with low end windows phone 8. Your one case of Spotify missing features doesn't nullify that.

 

[thirty]

So will this work with my current Verizon plan?

no, it's locked to t-mobile. even if you did unlock it, the 521 is a gsm phone, not cdma.

 

[Horseticuffs]

Damn, that's nice. I don't suppose it has an Amazon music app?

EDIT: Looks like it does, from what I've dug up. Looking at this phone's specs it isn't much different than my HTC One V, save an extra core on the CPU. I really love the design of W8 phones so if they start making prepaid handsets a thing I might look into one in November or something. I'll be damned if I EVER buy another phone with less than a gig of RAM, though. I like my V but mother fucker chugs like a choo choo sometimes.

Sadly, no. I'm sure the music you have on your PC will sync to it.

Argh!

 

[campfireweekend]

Damn, that's nice. I don't suppose it has an Amazon music app?

Sadly, no. I'm sure the music you have on your PC will sync to it.

 

[Milchjon]

i guess there is no way to buy this from germany right ?

Wait, I didn't even realize it's 220€ over here. That's stupid, especially when the 620 is only 20-30 bucks more.

 

[Magni]

In France, the 520 is 189€ (branded) and the 620 is 199€ (unbranded). Yeah, I don't know who in their right mind would go with the 520 here.

Damn, that's nice. I don't suppose it has an Amazon music app?

EDIT: Looks like it does, from what I've dug up. Looking at this phone's specs it isn't much different than my HTC One V, save an extra core on the CPU. I really love the design of W8 phones so if they start making prepaid handsets a thing I might look into one in November or something. I'll be damned if I EVER buy another phone with less than a gig of RAM, though. I like my V but mother fucker chugs like a choo choo sometimes.



Argh!

FWIW, 512 MB on WP is a lot smoother than 512 MB on Android.

 

[sfedai0]

So this is unlocked? Because I see a T-mobile logo on it.

 

[numble]

If this thing did Viggle and FreeMyApps, I would consider it. I bought a used iPhone 3GS for $60 in January and have already earned over $100 in Amazon credits from it. I've only been able to get about $50 from a Nexus 4 in the same time frame.

 

[Milchjon]

I'll be damned if I EVER buy another phone with less than a gig of RAM, though. I like my V but mother fucker chugs like a choo choo sometimes.

Not comparable ;-)

 

[Stumpokapow]

the WP platform has only been out 2 1/2 yrs.

Impressive considering WP7 launched 2.5 years ago.

lol nice try.

I remembered it being summer. I was off by a year. Apparently it was September 16th, 2011 (so more like 18 months) that I got it:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/wm-b...-windows-phone-7-prepaid-kit-78-83-a-1082904/

My point remains the same -- while cheap, entry-level Pay as you Go phones are a great deal and this would be a great way for someone to try WP8, it's not unprecedented and I don't think that this particular promotion is going to be a game-changer. Insofar as the person I was quoting assumed that Windows Phone needs to be "saved", this isn't going to be what "saves" it.

 

[maeh2k]

i guess there is no way to buy this from germany right ?

You'd have to pay for shipping and VAT. It's not that cheap. Vodafone sells the phone with carrier lock for 150 Euros. On geizhals.de it's listed starting at ~ 180 Euros.

 

[bidguy]

Wait, I didn't even realize it's 220€ over here. That's stupid, especially when the 620 is only 20-30 bucks more.

yeah its a shame. id love to try the os out. would shell out 80-90€ just to do it.

 

[brotkasten]

Wait, I didn't even realize it's 220€ over here. That's stupid, especially when the 620 is only 20-30 bucks more.

160, if you import it from the uk.

 

[ThisWreckage]

No 920, no sale.

 

[PG2G]

My point remains the same -- while cheap, entry-level Pay as you Go phones are a great deal and this would be a great way for someone to try WP8, it's not unprecedented and I don't think that this particular promotion is going to be a game-changer. Insofar as the person I was quoting assumed that Windows Phone needs to be "saved", this isn't going to be what "saves" it.

I dont think you can really compare a blow out price for an unsupported phone and the retail price of a brand new phone.

 

[campfireweekend]

I remembered it being summer. I was off by a year. Apparently it was September 16th, 2011 (so more like 18 months) that I got it:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/wm-b...indows-phone-7-prepaid-kit-78-83-a-1082904/2/

My point remains the same -- while cheap, entry-level Pay as you Go phones are a great deal and this would be a great way for someone to try WP8, it's not unprecedented and I don't think that this particular promotion is going to be a game-changer. Insofar as the person I was quoting assumed that Windows Phone needs to be "saved", this isn't going to be what "saves" it.

One phone certainly isn't going to save the platform. This phone does however represent the continuation of a strategy that has proved effective for first windows and android. Most purchases occur on the low end of the spectrum. Nokia's strategy has hinged on crafting a smartphone for each and every price range. They have the 920 which is their flagship, the 820 and its variants as mid end, the 720 as upper low end, the 620 as middle low end, and lastly the 520 for the lowest tier you can possibly get (and quite possibly the cheapest windows phone 8 you'll find) If they can capitalize on each of these markets, especially those on the lower end, then windows phone can be "saved." Or at least that's what Nokia hopes.

 

[quaere]

Tell me with a straight face you'd prefer gingerbread to windows phone 8 based solely on user experience. Low end android lag is unbearable. You get the fluidity of high end android on jelly bean with low end windows phone 8. Your one case of Spotify missing features doesn't nullify that.

Don't see how that changes the point that it depends on the user. You don't see how someone could prioritize functionality over smoothness?