After choosing the model you want, the next decision that you will need to make is which colour you want your Nokia Lumia smartphone to be.
In fact, just as much as industrial design, imaging excellence and the elegance of the Windows Phone operating system, you could argue that the bold choice of colours has become one of Nokia Lumia’s defining characteristics.
Earlier this year, and for the first time in the Asha series, the Nokia Asha 501 was also offered in a wide choice of bright colours.
The colour story, of course, goes hand-in-hand with Nokia’s expertise in the premium material of polycarbonate.
Material matters
A defining aspect of Nokia’s polycarbonate is that the colour runs through the whole material. The colour is an inherent part of the production process, and not just applied as a top layer afterwards.
As Jaana Beidler of Nokia Design told Conversations recently:
“We have revolutionised how plastic is perceived by many – the single piece polycarbonate is a real Nokia signature… We have developed a very deep understanding of this material and have perfected its use.”
As well as colour though, there is another important aspect of the polycarbonate, which tends to get less attention – the top coat finish.
Across the Nokia Lumia range, the smartphones are either finished in matt or in gloss.
Across different models, there might even be both matt and gloss versions of the same colour. For example, the Lumia 920 in white has a gloss finish, but the white version of the Lumia 1020 is in matt.
Likewise, for my Lumia 820, I have one changeable shell that is glossy red, and another shell that is matt yellow.
As Jaana says, Nokia has become incredibly skilled at manipulating polycarbonate with different colours and using different finishes.
Poll
We have set up a fun and informal poll to find out which of the two finishes you prefer. Is gloss sleeker and sexier? Does matt offer better grip?
If you don’t care whether it’s matt or gloss, as long as it’s the colour you want, then you can also register your vote.
Do you prefer your Nokia with a matt or gloss finish?
Please share your comments using the form below and we’ll let you know the results of this poll in the next week or so.