Tech Review: Nokia Lumia Icon #VZWLife

Disclosure: I received a Nokia Lumia Icon at no cost for review. I am a Verizon Wireless Buzz Lifestyle Blogger. I did not receive compensation for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

(Picture credits):  Verizon Wireless.

I’ve been working with Verizon and I was given the opportunity to review the Nokia Lumia Icon Black. Nokia has definitely stepped up their game with the Icon. It has the ability to do things that no previous Nokia can.

There are so many features that make it worth buying, but the best one is the camera. I’ve never seen a smartphone with a better camera. Even the Galaxy S4 is only 13 megapixels while the Icon is 20 megapixels.

The Nokia Icon pulls ahead of most other smartphones in some ways. The Nokia Icon is jam-packed with futuristic, cutting edge hardware, including a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core CPU. This is definitely the perfect windows phone that everybody has been wanting.

Specifications-

• Windows Phone 8 Update 3, build 10521
• Lumia Black firmware
• 5” full HD 1080p OLED display, ClearBlack, Sunlight readability, Glare-free, Super sensitive touch, Gorilla Glass 3
• Pixel density: 440 ppi
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad-Core processor, 2.2 GHz
• Adreno 330 GPU
• Camera: 20 MP PureView, ZEISS optics, OIS, 2x lossless zoom, oversampling, dual LED flash
• 2 GB RAM
• 32 GB internal storage (no micro SD)
• Bluetooth 4.0 LE
• Display features: Brightness control, Orientation sensor, Sunlight readability enhancements, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3, Easy to clean, High brightness mode, Lumia Color profile, Sculpted glass, Wide viewing angle
• 2420 mAh internal battery with Qi wireless charging
• Dimensions: 5.39 x 2.79 x 0.39 in
• Weight: 166g /5.86 oz
• nano SIM
• Networks: LTE: 700MHz; SVLTE Band 13; Band 4; CDMA: 3G EVDO 850/1900 Rev A with Rx Diversity; Global Ready: GSM (850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz)  UMTS (850MHz, 900MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz)

Design-

There aren’t any creative or bold design colors available with the Icon. It is only available in white or black. So if you were hoping for green, yellow, or blue.. you won’t find it. Nokia tried to keep the Icons design as conservative as possible and since most people buy cases, phone color shouldn’t matter anyway. Or at least to me it doesn’t.

It definitely feels sturdier than other smartphones. I needed something that could withstand the torment of my 5 year old and seven year old. I needed something tough and the Google Glass screen makes it just that. The phone has already fallen out of my truck onto the concrete and it didn’t even scratch anything (WITHOUT a case).

Size-

Plenty of people skipped out on buying the Nokia Lumia 1520 because of its enormous size. The massive size made it awkward to hold the phone comfortably. The Nokia Icon has totally changed up the game with the size, it’s only a hair taller than the Lumia 928. Fits perfectly in my hands, and I have small hands.

Homescreen

The Homescreen is fully customizable with Live Tiles and apps that you check the most, such as email or social media. I absolutely love it. I love that the tiles flip and show my updates and notifications. I don’t have to constantly click anything because my homescreen lets me know if I have a new email, message, or Facebook update.

Screenshots

Each smartphone is different in which buttons you should push to get a screenshot. With the Nokia Lumia Icon:

To capture a screenshot, press the Start button and the Power button at the same time.
To view the screenshot you've taken, navigate Photos > albums > Screenshots from the start screen.

I love how easy it is. It’s even easier to screenshot with the Icon then it is the Galaxy S4. With the Galaxy I was having problems getting the home button to push in as the same time as the power button. The home button gets stuck sometimes. With the Icon, the windows button responds very well to my touch. It didn’t even take me a second to get it right. With the Galaxy I’d have to try a couple times before it would work!

Apps

I have been having tons of fun playing around with the apps. There are so many different apps in the Windows Store. There are apps for everything. The Store is an amazing place because you can search for exactly what you’re looking for. I personally think that the apps at the Windows store are somewhat better than regular Google play apps.

I love that I don’t have to keep scrolling through all the available apps and games. I can just jump straight to whatever it is I’m looking to download.

I also love the fact that the apps are alphabetized and can be searched through. I don’t have to spend time searching through the long list. I can just hit the search button and have the app right there. Makes things 10x easier.

Camera & Videos

The 20 megapixel camera puts the icon at the top of the list for the most powerful cameras. It never fails whether you’re in a light or dark place. The pictures are always sharp, never dull and fuzzy like some night pictures are. It also allows rezooming and reframing pictures after they’ve been taken.

There are also a ton of apps that you can download that takes amazing pictures, lets you edit, and lets you add filters. I love the fact that I no longer have to pack around a heavy camera to get high definition, beautiful pictures!

You can record full HD Video with the amazing visual and audio qualities. This is because the Icon has Nokia PureView Imaging. It comes with 4 microphones, which are all high performance. This allows the phone to capture true stereo sound with impeccable accuracy at cutting out most of the background noise.

It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for in a smartphone, the Icon definitely has it. There is no better choice and you’ll love the feel of the Windows 8 interface.

The Nokia Lumia Icon is only available at Verizon Wireless.

There will be more app reviews and such to come..

 

-Jessica

Verizon Edge- Upgrade Your Phone When YOU Want #VZWlife

Disclosure: As a member of the #VZWLife team, I received compensation for this post.

Have you heard about the new Verizon Edge plan? Verizon Edge is a brand new wireless plan that allows upgrading of phones every 6 months and you aren’t tied to a long term contract. This plan allows you to get a new 4G LTE smartphone this year and every year after.

No more long term contracts that only allow you to upgrade every 2-3 years. No more looking longingly at that new smartphone in the window just WISHING you could have it. NOW you can. No more phone envy, get the phone you want at prices you can afford.

HOW?

You pick out/choose your new phone. Then the price of the phone is broken down into 24 monthly payments and added to your bill. When your current phone is 50% paid off, which is at about 6 months you are eligible for another phone upgrade.

The upgrade is called Edge Up. To be eligible for Edge Up, the Edge phone that you return must be in working condition and free from any damages. That IS it. As long as you keep your phone in good condition, you have the option of upgrading every 6 months.

The pro’s to joining the Verizon Edge Program is that you aren’t bound to a long term contract that only lets you upgrade your phone every 2-3 years. Not having to pay for the phone up front is also a plus, it’s broken down into payments instead. This makes getting an upgraded smartphone a LOT easier.

As long as you have a service agreement with at least 6 months of good payment history, at the time you enter your 24-month Verizon Edge Agreement, you are qualified. There is no long-term service agreement that is required. There are no hidden fees to join in the program or to upgrade!

All Verizon phones and smartphones are available through the Edge program. Whether you’re looking for a Samsung Galaxy S4 or new Iphone, they have it. OR if you aren’t looking for a smartphone and just want a regular phone without a contract, they have those as well!

Pros:
•Purchase a new phone with a low monthly payment
•Enjoy the latest technology available by upgrading your phone more frequently
•Sign a month-to-month agreement instead of a long-term contract
•Upgrade without additional fees or finance charges

No more phone envy for you! Trade your phone in for one that YOU want!

Check out the new Verizon Edge program on the Verizon Wireless site.

 

Jessica Renee

 

Holiday Shop with Isis Mobile Wallet App! #VZWlife

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, then you’ve seen that I’ve been participating in the #VZWlife campaign. I want to show you this amazing NEW and FREE app that works directly with Verizon!

Have you ever stood in a long line at the grocery store or Target only to realize you’d left your debit or credit card at home? Been getting a haircut to realize you have no cash on hand? THOSE days are now behind us all with the Isis Mobile Wallet App. Now you can pay straight from your phone.

The Isis Mobile Wallet App is the safer, smarter, and simpler way to pay. It is your wallet ONLY virtual. You add your debit/credit cards to the app, which is password encrypted. If you lose your phone or someone steals it, you can freeze it instantly by making a call or getting on the Isis website .

You never have to worry about your information getting out, because it’s store on a chip inside the phone called the Secure Element. It ONLY allows authorized programs such as the Isis App. So no other apps or programs on your phone can access your info.

You also have instant access to savings and coupons right inside the app. You can ♥ a company to “follow” their deals/coupons. I love the fact that they have so many companies deals and coupons! From clothing stores like Aeropostale to everything stores like Walmart!

It also has the ability to add your store loyalty cards, so that you can save even more!  I hate when I ‘m checking out somewhere and they say “do you have your loyalty card?” and I realize it’s on MY keychain and I had Adams keys. Now I don’t have to worry about not having the loyalty cards with me.

All you have to do is look for the contactless symbol. Isis is available to be used at over 200,000 national and local retailers. Just hold the back of your phone up to the touchscreen keypad at checkout.

 

Disclosure: I am a member of the Verizon Wireless #VZWLife team and received a device as part of this program. I am a (long time) Verizon customer and all opinions are my own.

Jessica Renee