Sunnyvale, Calif. — Nokia revealed pricing, availability and key details of the Lumia 928 smartphone that recently appeared in a consumer magazine ad and in a Nokia web video.
The global-ready Windows Phone 8 smartphone will be available exclusively on the Verizon Wireless network in black or white beginning May 16, expanding the carrier’s Windows Phone 8 selection to four models. The 928 will retail for $99 with two-year contract through Verizon’s website and stores and through the indirect channel. For a limited time, consumers get $25 credit for Windows Phone apps and games with the phone’s purchase.
In its web video, Nokia promoted the device as delivering better low-light camera performance than the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S III.
The 928 will expand Verizon’s Lumia selection to two and join the Lumia 822, which is available free with contract. The addition also expands the carrier’s Windows Phone 8 selection to four models, including the $149 Windows Phone 8X by HTC and the $49 Samsung Ativ Odyssey.
Detailed specifications released by the company show the 4G LTE phone features 4.5-inch HD OLED display whose glass extends to the edge of the phone. The WXGA display has 1,280 by 768 resolution with 334 ppi, 15:9 aspect ratio, ClearBlack display, Sunlight Readability Enhancement (SRE) technology, a High Brightness Mode (HBM); 300 nits luminance with 500 nits in High Brightness Mode, 16 million colors, 24-bit color depth, 60Hz refresh rate, and “super-sensitive” capacitive touch that lets users use long fingernails or gloved hands to tap.
Other features include 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor, 1GB RAM, 32GM of embedded memory, 2,000 mAh lithium-polymer battery, and 7GB of free SkyDrive Cloud storage.
The dual cameras boast multiple advanced features. The rear-facing 8.7-megapixel camera features 1080p 30 fps HD video capture, autofocus and Carl Zeiss Tessar f/2.0, 26mm True 16:9 optics. It also features optical image stabilization, Xenon flash to capture still images, and LED lighting to capture video. The front 1.2-megapixel camera captures 720p HD video.
The imaging technologies are said to enable capture of “bright, blur-free photos and videos even in low-light conditions such as indoors or at night.”
The 928 comes with Nokia apps including an app that features on-board maps for turn-by-turn driving instructions. Other Nokia apps include Here Transit, Here City Lens and Nokia Music with Mix Radio, which delivers unlimited streaming of free music playlists.
The global-ready phone operates in Verizon’s 700MHz LTE and 800/1900MHz CDMA bands, in four U.S, and foreign GSM bands, foreign 900/2100MHz UMTS bands, and in foreign and U.S. UMTS/HSPA 850/900/1900/2100MHz bands.
