Nokia Lumia 520 for only $44.99 with no contract on Amazon

By Daniel Rubino
last updated

If you need a spare phone or if you're a developer looking to pick one for cheap, then you can't go wrong with the Nokia Lumia 520. Amazon has a lightning deal (only 4 hours) with the device, selling it for $44.99. That's pre-paid, no contract, meaning you owe nothing to AT&T. 

For $45 this is a great little phone to have kicking around (or developing apps on). Don't forget, you can even put Windows Phone 8.1 on there today! (For those asking, yes, the Lumia 520 is carrier SIM locked to AT&T. In theory, you can unlock it, but AT&T can be difficult. You can always try their site (opens in new tab).)

Head here to grab the deal, but remember you only have a few hours! http://phon.es/520deal (opens in new tab)

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.

85 Comments
  • I guess that would be decent enough to run project tripod
  • Awful camera.
  • I actually think the camera is spectacular for a 5 MP shooter
  • The camera is way better than I expected
  • Yeah, i know 
    http://imgur.com/MR9iKBI (L520)
  • Very nice!
  • Awful .... PERIOD!
  • Dude I is 45 dollar phone what do u expect
  • Awesome deal
  • You can't beat this deal if I didn't already have a 521 as my backup phone, then I would jump on this deal today.
  • Will it work on Verizon
  • no, sorry
  • Bummer
  • Will it work on any carriers other than AT&T? Like Rogers?
  • SIM Unlocked it will work anywhere that runs on ATT frequencies, plus it supports a bunch of other frequencies too.
  • Dang It, I wanted to get this for my mom! :(
  • Deal? It's a steal!
  • Makes me want to buy it for no reason.
  • Thinking about making it a MP3 player for my nephew
  • Bought it. Will be my backup phone. $80 because I'm in Europe but still freaking worth it. It retails for double the price here.
  • If you plan to use it for a MP3 player AND use the 8.1 Developer Preview, make sure to use the "Music Hub Tile" app to bring back the WP8 Music Hub that actually was awesome.
  • Going to keep mine clean. No need for dev preview since I already have it on my 925.
  • I've got my 920 as mp3 player now...
  • Since my 920 is full, I'm planning to get a 520, I heard it can support a 128 GB card, so it's good for future expansion- way cheaper than an iPod classic which is my other option (does it support USB audio out?)
  • I have my Nokia 808 PureView as my MP3 player now...
  • And primary camera?
  • Yes, when I need the best pictures that a phone can take with the most reliable Xenon flash and usable detail. Otherwise, I use my 1020 just because the smartphone portion meets my everyday needs better than Belle FP2 at this time.
  • "For $45, you can't do much worse" C'mon guys.  Is a little proofreading so much to ask for?
  • What's incorrect about that? They're basically saying you can't go wrong by buying this phone. It sounds weird when you think about it, yes, but the meaning is different.
  • "You can't do much worse" is the opposite of "you can't go wrong by buying this phone", don't you think?  If you can't do much worse, it must be pretty bad.  But the argument is supposed to be the opposite: you can't do much better (when it comes to value) with a phone like this for only $45.
  • He's right, the phrase makes no sense in this situation.
  • Rofl, I'm having chest pains I'm laughing so hard!!! XD
  • Is project my screen working for anyone after the recent update to 8.1? Mine isn't :'(
  • I have never tried before, but it says that it can only be done by USB connection on mine now.
  • It does not work for me on my icon via USB. Wont project to my windows 7 or windows 8 pc's. I have the PC app side of it installed as well. It just doesn't work
  • Try reinstalling the drivers on your computer.
  • Can you unlock it ?
  • Yes, there are methods to get it unlocked. ATT has a certain set of criteria's to unlock their phones.
  • Thats $44.99 plus the cost of the hassle and stress you go through getting it unlocked from att! :)
  • Yeah... 45 is for sure good, but relative headache to unlock it is a nightmare..
  • If you are an active At&t customer, the receipt you paid with full price is the only thing you need.
  • Theoritically - Yes. Practically - there are living examples who could not get it unlocked even if they have all proof and details with them. Personally, I would prefer to pay $100 and get an unlocked one.
  • Yeah I got the phone for christmas for my mom.  Had it active 2 months on postpaid and was allowed to unlock it right away no issues when I switched her over to T-mobile. 
  • Hey, if you got $100 to burn, spend $50 on the phone and $50 on that gas for the car to go get the thing unlocked (or $50 in Advil if you go at it online).
  • Will it work on ATT owned Aio?
  • Yes no problems
  • No love for the UK :'(
    We are stingy too!
  • Send me one over here in India, I would like to gift it to my mom. :)
  • Send your mom first, then we'll send the phone.
  • Ouch! DX
  • LOL.
  • Stupid comment. These juveniles have no idea of humour.
  • They unlocked it first try for me
  • Can I purchase this in India?
  • Sadly, no.
  • I got one the week it came out so I wouldn't be stuck using wp7 but I have a 1520 now I'm wondering if this can be unlocked for tmobile but I'm still using it to try out 8.1
  • Uh... who's phone is that in the pic?   They have 251 missed messages that they might want to take a peek at...
  • Lmao Right?!
  • Damn, that is a bargain... wish amazon uk had these going on their lightning deals.
  • Ordered one. For that day I destroy my WP by accident. Note: I'm in Canada. Amazon says it will process my order. We'll see how this goes...
  • Gotta get this, great backup phone!
  • Maybe if it wasn't carrier locked..
  • It cost 64.99 with shipping to Puerto Rico. Microsoft store has it for 69.99 with a case or back plate free shipping.
  • I just bought this for my son. Thanks for alert WP Central!
  • Thanks for the heads up.  So straight talk will work with this? 
  • Yes. Bought one for my brother for Christmas and he uses it with straight talk as do my friends with their 920s.
  • Awesome. That's what I thought. I'm on sprint right now and looking to switch. Nice cheap way to give the service a trial run around here.
  • I agree. Excellent price and you get Cortana and all the new features with the 8.1 update for your money.
  • I have no problem to unlock At&t phones bought with full price. Already did that with two devices.
  • Too bad this phone is locked to AT&T. Ah, well, I already have enough phones (iPhone 4, Nokia Lumia 925, 920 and 810 and HTC One) to play with. :-P
  • Being someone who has never unlocked a phone but is decently tech savvy, how hard is it to unlock a phone? Wanting to use this on Verizon..
  • Verizon runs on diesel. This requires unleaded. Won't work, period.
  • LOL, that was a great analogy... I Like it
  • LAWL Good 1 :)
  • A 45 dollar smartphone and the one star whiners on Amazon are still crying... Amazon reviewers amaze me. I'm gonna ask in the Amazon customer Q and A if I can use this to make calls from the ISS and see if anyone answers with "Sorry I don't know."
  • Does ATT have yellow 520? Tmo 521 only available in white.
  • Great deal! Thanks for the tip on a cheap backup phone!
  • Lucky I bought when I did, got for a total of $55 after tax, now its $77 and change after tax
  • Damn I have this phone it performs extremely well especially for that price
  • It's outstanding for that price.
  • Seems cheaper.
  • Noice
  • Awesome deal; Now everyone can taste WP. 
  • Nagyon érdekelnek Új alkamazások Mert tetszik a Készülék éS könyü kezelni.  
  • Love this device. As a spare, Perfect! Posted via Windows Phone Central App