The Microsoft Lumia 535 and 550 represent Microsoft’s attempts to capture the budget smartphone market with Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10 Mobile respectively. While both devices aimed for affordability, they differed in internal components, offering varying levels of performance and efficiency. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone provides the better value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, low-cost Windows Phone, the Lumia 550 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 210 chipset, while only marginally faster on paper, offers improved efficiency and a slightly smoother user experience compared to the older Snapdragon 200 in the 535. Both offer identical battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, November. Released 2014, December | 2015, October. Released 2015, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8 mm (5.52 x 2.85 x 0.35 in) | 136.1 x 67.8 x 9.9 mm (5.36 x 2.67 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 146 g (5.15 oz) | 141.9 (5.01 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~315 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 59.7 cm2 (~64.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 302 | Adreno 304 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 | 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, 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP, f/2.8 |
| Video | 720p | 480p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 78 h | Up to 60 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 552 h | Up to 672 h (2G) / Up to 672 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 16 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1905 mAh, removable (BL-L4A) | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange, green, white, black, gray, blue | Black, White |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.38 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.62 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 42h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
Microsoft Lumia 535
- Potentially lower price point (depending on availability)
- Familiar Windows Phone experience
- Acceptable battery life
- Older Snapdragon 200 chipset
- Potentially slower performance
- Limited software support
Microsoft Lumia 550
- More efficient Snapdragon 210 chipset
- Slightly improved performance
- Better long-term software support (Windows 10 Mobile)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Similar camera performance to the 535
- Still a budget device with limitations
Display Comparison
Neither the Lumia 535 nor the Lumia 550 were known for their display quality. Specifics regarding panel type, resolution, or brightness are absent from the provided data. However, given their price points, both likely utilized IPS LCD panels with a resolution of 960x540 pixels. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather on basic usability. Bezels were likely substantial on both devices, typical for the era.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Given their budget nature, image quality is likely to be similar – adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but struggling in low light. The lack of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device further limits low-light performance. Without further data, it’s impossible to declare a clear winner in the camera department.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Lumia 535 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 200, while the 550 boasts the Snapdragon 210. Both are quad-core Cortex-A7 processors clocked at 1.2 GHz and 1.1 GHz respectively, suggesting a modest performance increase for the 550. The Snapdragon 210, built on the same 28nm process, benefits from architectural improvements, leading to slightly better efficiency and responsiveness. While neither chipset is capable of demanding tasks, the 210 provides a smoother experience for everyday apps and multitasking. The absence of RAM specifications makes a direct comparison difficult, but both likely featured 1GB, limiting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Lumia 535 and 550 share an identical endurance rating of 42 hours. This suggests that despite the Snapdragon 210’s slightly higher clock speed, its improved efficiency effectively offsets any increased power consumption. Neither device is expected to support fast charging, with typical 0-100% charge times likely exceeding 3 hours. The battery capacity itself is not specified, but the 42-hour endurance rating indicates a reasonable battery life for basic usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 535 if you’ve already invested in the Windows Phone ecosystem and can find it at a significantly lower price point than the 550. Its primary benefit is cost. Buy the Microsoft Lumia 550 if you’re new to Windows Phone or want a device with a slightly more modern chipset and better long-term software support, even if the differences are subtle. The 550 is the more future-proof option within this limited range.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lumia 550 receive Windows 10 updates?
While Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10 Mobile, the Lumia 550 was among the last devices to receive updates. However, it will no longer receive feature updates or security patches, making it vulnerable over time. The 535 received updates even earlier.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 200 and 210 noticeable in everyday use?
The performance difference isn't dramatic, but the Snapdragon 210 in the Lumia 550 offers a slightly smoother experience when launching apps and multitasking. Users upgrading from the 535 will likely notice a subtle improvement in responsiveness.
❓ Can either of these phones run modern apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
Yes, both phones can run older versions of WhatsApp and Facebook, but compatibility may be limited as these apps are updated. Performance may be sluggish, and newer features might not be supported. Consider the age of the devices and the evolving requirements of these apps.
