Nokia (7)

Phones have evolved over the last couple of years, and with tablet devices becoming increasingly common, they’ve had to also offer more tech in a smaller package in order to keep customers coming back. All that innovation costs quite a few bucks though. The Nokia Lumia 625 however, packs just enough tech inside a device that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

So what does a RRP of R3500 get you? You get a device that is pretty darn big for a smartphone actually, with the 625 being one of the larger Nokia models released so far. It’s got a 4.7 inch display that will be bigger than anything else in your pants when you whip it out.

512 MB of RAM, a 1.2 GHZ Dual Core CPU, 8 GB of internal storage and a 5 megapixel camera round out the more basic settings of this device. Hardly iPhone territory, but like all things in life, it’s how you use it that really matters.

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First off, don’t expect to super high definition video on this screen. The 625 has a resolution of 480×800, so getting crystal clear clarity and sharp movies running is out of the question. That being said, the videos that are playable on this device alongside other apps and menus aren’t exactly terrible and offer a nice midway point towards the HD factor, but trained eyes will pick up on this immediately.

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But on an ergonomic level, it’s a bloody nice device. Despite it’s bulky size, the phone feels easy and comfortable to use, fitting nicely even in my dainty little hands. The materials feel top notch and not at all cheap, the buttons for volume, power and your camera are kept to one side and the touch screen has your usual high tolerance for scratches and greasy fingerprints. A micro USB slot and a jack for your headset finishes off the minimalist design.

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You can get to your other functions easily enough, such as the SIM and Micro SD card slot, which will amp storage to up to 64 gigabytes.

Switching the phone on reveals the usual Windows Phone operating system. That set of tiles, apps and functions works decently on the Lumia 625, providing the kind of flick and tap response that you’d expect from any modern day device. The problem though, is that the 512 megabytes of RAM just isn’t enough if you’re looking to do some gaming, as some of the more high-end titles require at least a gig of the magic hardware in order to run properly.

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On the app side however, you’ll find a lot more functionality with numerous programs being compatible, including several Nokia exclusives. That, and unlike Apple, you’ve got an online map that actually works accurately. Some more intuitive apps would be more welcome on the device though.

It may not have the most advanced camera, but a decent app can shortcut past a grainy picture any day of the week if it offers some editing features, which you won’t find here in the Windows Phone app. That being said, the camera isn’t exactly a write-off. You can still look like an egomaniac when you take a selfie in front of that gorgeous sunset, but it’ll do nicely for Facebook and Twitter, two websites which happen to be decently integrated into the phone.

WP_20131008_002WP_20131008_003WP_20131008_004WP_20131008_005WP_20131008_006WP_20131008_007WP_20131008_008WP_20131008_009

The big advantage however, comes in the quick change option available for the camera lenses, which makes switching to different modes on the fly a quick and easy experience. Once Windows eventually gets a more comprehensive store running, expect to hopefully see this function taken advantage of.

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So, should you get a Nokia Lumia 625? There’s no doubt that you’ll find beefier phones on the market today, but they all come at a much higher price. With the 625, you get what you pay for, and a little bit more. And if you’re not too fussed about having a device that acts as a Swiss Army Knife for apps and games, then it’s rather attractive deal.

Last Updated: October 29, 2013

1.1
was reviewed on PC

28 Comments

  1. “which will amp up storage to up to 64 megabytes”? That all?

    You maybe mean 64 gigabytes?

    Reply

    • Major Commodore 64 Darryn B

      October 29, 2013 at 15:18

      You are 100 petabytes correct.

      Reply

      • RangerMossel

        October 29, 2013 at 15:25

        How do you comment and speak on TuksFM simultaneously?! HOW?!

        Reply

        • Vampyre Squirrel

          October 29, 2013 at 15:26

          Because he’s a Ghostbusting Batman?

          Reply

        • Major Commodore 64 Darryn B

          October 29, 2013 at 15:30

          I’m fucking magic, that’s how.

          Reply

      • Darth fancy pants

        October 29, 2013 at 15:26

        You may have an upvote for that reply.

        Reply

  2. oVg

    October 29, 2013 at 15:26

    Android

    Reply

  3. oVg

    October 29, 2013 at 15:27

    Windows

    Reply

  4. Admiral Chief Ninja

    October 29, 2013 at 15:27

    GS4 FTW

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Ninja

      October 29, 2013 at 15:28

      And by that I mean Samsung Galaxy S4

      Reply

      • Vampyre Squirrel

        October 29, 2013 at 15:29

        Have an upvote

        Reply

      • guest

        October 29, 2013 at 16:12

        HTC One for me hey.
        Looks and feels so sexy…umm, TMI?
        😛

        Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      October 29, 2013 at 16:13

      Note 3 coz beega is betta 😉

      Reply

      • guest

        October 29, 2013 at 16:25

        But what about all those looks you get in traffic from people like “look at that doos using a tablet to make a phone call” 😛

        Reply

  5. hairyknees

    October 29, 2013 at 15:29

    Came here for the cats. Was not disappointed 😛

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Ninja

      October 29, 2013 at 15:30

      Pussy(cat) slut!

      Reply

      • hairyknees

        October 29, 2013 at 15:32

        OOOOOOH!!! *burn* 😛

        Reply

  6. Matthew Holliday

    October 29, 2013 at 15:33

    Im a nokia fanboy, picked myself up the lumia 925 a month ago, pretty damned great phone
    the 625 looks like a nice phone when youre not looking on dropping R300+ a month on a contract

    Reply

    • frikkenator

      October 29, 2013 at 15:45

      Yea I got the 920, also pretty damned impressed!

      Reply

  7. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    October 29, 2013 at 15:42

    Cat video always boosts reputation! +10 Darryn

    Reply

  8. guest

    October 29, 2013 at 15:49

    You guys doing phone reviews too now? Nice 🙂

    PS: the background image on this article is absolutely horrendous!

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      October 29, 2013 at 15:59

      Really? I thought it was quite cool…

      Reply

      • guest

        October 29, 2013 at 16:07

        It’s a nice idea but all I see on my small-ish monitor is two black bars.
        Maybe if you made it a bit wider so that it’s more noticeable as a phone?
        And the white background behind that hurts my eyes 🙁
        Or maybe I’m just grumpy today.

        Reply

      • guest

        October 29, 2013 at 16:07

        It’s a nice idea but all I see on my small-ish monitor is two black bars.
        Maybe if you made it a bit wider so that it’s more noticeable as a phone?
        And the white background behind that hurts my eyes 🙁
        Or maybe I’m just grumpy today.

        Reply

  9. FoxOneZA

    October 29, 2013 at 16:24

    The problem with these Nokia phones is the Chinese behemoth Huwaei has an Android phone priced accordingly and with even better specs to match.

    Interestingly, Motorola wants us to build our own phones
    http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/29/5041336/motorola-project-ara-modular-smartphones

    Reply

  10. Brady miaau

    October 29, 2013 at 16:36

    I use a 520. Happy with it.

    It makes phone calls very well, has some good build quality and is cheap to buy.

    I would get a 625, if you do not mind the drawbacks of non high-res and. lets face it, a bit less RAM and grunt than other phones.

    But for 3500, I would perhaps look at a more premium level phone. If it was under R3000, sure.

    I paid R1999.99 for my 520 which I thought was a great price for what I got: certainly a lot more than Samsung phones for the same price, for example. I bought it because I wanted a phone that could make phone calls when I wanted it to, not cut out. like my cheap other brand phone.

    Reply

  11. Bonk

    October 29, 2013 at 17:13

    The problem with windows phone is the
    lack apps. Also, downloading games can be a pain the ass, why would you need to
    have your parent setup your account, especially if you’re a grown man.

    Reply

  12. DadGamer

    October 30, 2013 at 09:18

    meh, stick to the games, guys. There’s a thousand other blogs dedicated to phone reviews.

    Reply

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