I absolutely loved my 1520, it was probably my favorite phone of all time. However, I still would argue that the Lumia 920 was the best Windows Phone of all time.
The 920 was announced in tandem with the release of Windows Phone 8. Nokia packed a ton of new features to go with the advanced new OS, and when the 920 came out, it was for that brief moment, not just the best Windows Phone, but the best smartphone in the market.
So true. Although I'd still take the 1520 over the 920, the Lumia 920 was my "lost love" - LOL. Everything you mention is spot on.
When the Lumia 920 was announced in conjunction with Windows Phone 8, it grabbed headlines across the internet, it caught my attention, introducing me to the world of Windows Phone, and it was love at first sight.
I was still a flip phone user, reluctant to move on to a smart phone. I'd say to everybody, "I don't need a hand computer", I loved my flip phone (Samsung SPH-A900, aka 'the blade'). When I first saw the unveiling of the Lumia 920, I was instantly sold. The 920 convinced me to finally catch up with the world and get a smart phone.
The beautiful design, the world changing camera which was light years ahead of iPhone and Android at the time, the super sensitive touch 720p HD display when the iPhone was well below that, wireless charging, etc. Windows Phone 8 was so refreshing with its UI, and the integrated social media was a "killer app" among the other cool features of the OS.
Then the world came crashing down for me - carrier exclusivity. As much as I desperately wanted a Lumia 920, it was exclusive to Rogers (our 'evil' equivalent to Comcast) here in Canada, and I would not switch carriers for a phone. There were rumours of a six month exclusivity deal, but nothing ever changed. Then the Lumia 925 was released, but not in Canada. I emailed Mr. Elop out of desperation - please take my money, please let me purchase a Lumia 925 directly from Nokia. Someone at Nokia was asked by Mr. Elop's email response to assist me, only for the helper to offer help in the form of "you can get a 920 from Rogers".
I was so hyped up about the Lumia 920, that all my obsessing about it led my brother to spontaneously go out and buy one (he was on Rogers), tossing his iPhone 4s aside and sticking with Windows Phone to this day (he's now on a Lumia 650 after his 920's battery stopped holding a charge).
Had to settle for a Samsung ATIV S ($0 on 2 year contract, so not bad), before getting the 1520 off Kijiji when that 2-year contract expired.
Sorry for the essay - just that the Lumia 920 brings up a lot of memories, and being another one of those "what could have been" moments in the history of Windows Phone if it weren't for carrier exclusivity holding back sales and exposure to the devices.
Honestly, had I been able to get a Lumia 920 at launch, I'd likely still be using it - assuming that the battery was still working.
Greatest of all time: the Lumia 1520 and 920 can stand together on the podium.
The Lumia 920 established the framework and the essence of what a Lumia was. The 1520 was the fitting "swan song", the last true Nokia Lumia, at the core building upon the features introduced with the 920.