The Microsoft Lumia 535 and 535 Dual SIM represent Microsoft's entry into the affordable smartphone market. While appearing nearly identical, the key distinction lies in the Dual SIM model's added cellular flexibility. This comparison dissects the nuances between these two devices, focusing on how the Dual SIM functionality impacts the user experience and whether the core hardware differences justify the choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing simplicity and single-SIM functionality, the standard Lumia 535 offers a slightly more streamlined experience. However, the Lumia 535 Dual SIM is the clear winner for travelers, business users, or anyone needing to manage multiple phone numbers, offering identical performance with added convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - RM-1090 |
| 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 | Micro-SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| 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, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 |
| 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 552 h | Up to 336 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 | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.38 W/kg (body) | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.62 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.55 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
- Simpler user experience for single SIM users.
- Potentially slightly lower cost (depending on retailer).
- Identical performance to the Dual SIM model.
- Limited to a single SIM card.
- Basic camera performance.
- Snapdragon 200 chipset struggles with demanding tasks.
Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM
- Dual SIM functionality for managing multiple numbers.
- Identical performance to the standard Lumia 535.
- 44-hour endurance rating provides all-day battery life.
- Slightly higher price point compared to the standard model.
- Basic camera performance.
- Snapdragon 200 chipset struggles with demanding tasks.
Display Comparison
Both the Lumia 535 and 535 Dual SIM share the same 5-inch IPS LCD display, though specific details like resolution and pixel density aren't provided in the source data. Given their market segment, we can infer a modest 720p resolution. The absence of details regarding brightness or color gamut suggests a focus on cost-effectiveness over display fidelity. Users shouldn't expect vibrant colors or exceptional outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
The camera specifications are identical on both the Lumia 535 and 535 Dual SIM: a 'Photo' camera. The lack of detail regarding megapixel count or sensor size suggests a basic camera experience. While capable of capturing snapshots in good lighting conditions, users shouldn't expect high-quality images or advanced features. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) further limits low-light performance.
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 adequate performance for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light app usage. The Snapdragon 200's Cortex-A7 cores are relatively power-efficient, but don't expect smooth performance with demanding games or multitasking. The identical chipset ensures comparable performance between the two models, meaning the Dual SIM functionality doesn't introduce any performance overhead.
Battery Life
Both the Lumia 535 and 535 Dual SIM boast an endurance rating of 44 hours. This suggests a similar battery capacity and power management efficiency. The 44-hour rating implies moderate usage, likely involving several hours of talk time, web browsing, and music playback. While charging wattage isn't specified, it's reasonable to assume a standard 5W charger, resulting in a relatively slow charge time from 0-100%.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 535 if you require a basic, affordable smartphone for everyday tasks and only need to manage a single SIM card. Buy the Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM if you frequently travel internationally, need to separate work and personal calls, or benefit from utilizing different carrier plans simultaneously. Both devices share the same core performance, making the decision primarily about SIM management needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dual SIM functionality impact battery life on the Lumia 535 Dual SIM?
No, the identical 44-hour endurance rating suggests that the Dual SIM functionality doesn't significantly impact battery life. The power consumption associated with managing two SIM cards is minimal, and the Snapdragon 200 chipset is relatively power-efficient.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 200 chipset sufficient for running modern apps on either the Lumia 535 or 535 Dual SIM?
The Snapdragon 200 is an entry-level chipset and will struggle with demanding modern apps. While it can handle basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and messaging, users should expect lag and slow loading times when running resource-intensive applications or multitasking heavily.
❓ Can I use two 4G SIM cards simultaneously on the Lumia 535 Dual SIM?
The source data doesn't specify the 4G capabilities of the Lumia 535 Dual SIM. However, given its budget nature, it's likely that only one SIM card can connect to 4G at a time, while the other operates on 2G or 3G. Confirming this with the device's specifications is recommended.
