The Microsoft Lumia 535 and 535 Dual SIM represent a pivotal moment in Microsoft's mobile strategy, offering a Windows Phone experience at an accessible price point. While appearing nearly identical, the key distinction lies in SIM functionality, impacting users with varying communication needs. This comparison dissects the nuances between these two models, focusing on how that single difference affects the overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM is the superior choice. The ability to manage two SIM cards simultaneously provides significant flexibility for travel, work, or separating personal and business lines, without sacrificing performance or battery life, as both devices share identical core specifications.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - RM-1090 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-1092 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, November. Released 2014, December | 2014, November. Released 2014, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8 mm (5.52 x 2.85 x 0.35 in) | 140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8 mm (5.52 x 2.85 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 146 g (5.15 oz) | 146 g (5.15 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 302 | Adreno 302 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | 5 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 78 h | Up to 78 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 336 h | Up to 552 h |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1905 mAh, removable (BL-L4A) | Li-Ion 1905 mAh, removable (BL-L4A) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange, green, white, black, gray, blue | Orange, green, white, black, gray, blue |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | 0.62 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 44h | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 71dB | - |
Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM
- Dual SIM functionality offers increased flexibility.
- Identical performance to the standard Lumia 535.
- Reported 44-hour endurance rating suggests good battery life.
- Specific camera specifications are unknown.
- May be slightly more expensive than the single SIM model.
Microsoft Lumia 535
- Potentially lower price point compared to the Dual SIM version.
- Identical performance to the Lumia 535 Dual SIM.
- Simpler user experience for those who only need one SIM.
- Lacks the convenience of Dual SIM functionality.
- Battery endurance rating is not provided.
Display Comparison
Both the Lumia 535 and 535 Dual SIM share the same 5-inch IPS LCD display, though specific resolution and pixel density data are absent. Given the target market, we can infer a focus on affordability over premium display characteristics. The absence of details like peak brightness or color gamut suggests a standard LCD experience, adequate for everyday use but not ideal for outdoor visibility or color-critical work. Bezels are likely substantial, typical of devices in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both models feature a 'Photo' camera, but detailed specifications like megapixel count, sensor size, or aperture are missing. This suggests a basic camera experience geared towards casual snapshots rather than high-quality photography. The absence of features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) or advanced image processing algorithms further reinforces this assessment. The camera is likely adequate for social media sharing but will struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. This chipset, built on a 28nm process, delivers entry-level performance suitable for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light app usage. The shared processor and architecture mean performance will be virtually indistinguishable between the two models. The lack of RAM specification suggests a limited multitasking capability, potentially leading to app reloading with numerous applications open.
Battery Life
The Lumia 535 Dual SIM boasts an endurance rating of 44 hours, while the standard Lumia 535 lacks this data. Given the identical chipset and display, the Dual SIM model's endurance rating suggests optimized power management to accommodate the additional SIM card functionality. While the battery capacity remains unspecified, the 44-hour rating indicates reasonable battery life for moderate usage, likely lasting a full day with typical use patterns. Charging times are expected to be relatively slow, given the likely absence of fast charging support.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM if you frequently travel internationally and need to utilize local SIM cards, maintain separate work and personal phone numbers, or simply want the convenience of switching between carriers without swapping SIMs. Buy the Microsoft Lumia 535 if you only require a single SIM card and prioritize simplicity, potentially finding it at a slightly lower price point due to reduced feature set.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dual SIM functionality on the Lumia 535 Dual SIM impact battery life significantly?
While managing two SIM cards does require additional power, the reported 44-hour endurance rating suggests Microsoft optimized power management to minimize the impact. Users should expect a slight reduction in battery life compared to the single SIM model, but it's unlikely to be substantial under normal usage.
❓ Can I use two 4G SIM cards simultaneously on the Lumia 535 Dual SIM?
The Lumia 535 Dual SIM supports Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS). This means both SIM cards can be active, but only one can be used for data at a time. You can switch between 4G on either SIM, but you won't be able to use 4G on both simultaneously.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 200 chipset sufficient for running modern apps on either device?
The Snapdragon 200 is an entry-level chipset. While it can handle basic apps and tasks, it may struggle with more demanding applications or multitasking. Expect slower loading times and potential lag when running resource-intensive apps.
