The Microsoft Lumia 540 and Nokia 6300 4G represent distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Lumia 540, a relic of Microsoft’s mobile ambitions, offers a slightly older platform, while the Nokia 6300 4G is a modern reimagining of a classic feature phone, now with smartphone capabilities. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which delivers the best experience for the price-conscious user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly better processing power and a more established (though dated) smartphone experience, the Microsoft Lumia 540 Dual SIM emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 200, while older, offers a marginally higher clock speed than the Nokia 6300 4G’s Snapdragon 210, translating to a smoother experience in basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 - ROW |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 66, 71 - Americas |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, April. Released 2015, May | 2020, November 13. Released 2021, January 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 144 x 73.7 x 8.6 mm (5.67 x 2.90 x 0.34 in) | 131.4 x 53 x 13.7 mm (5.17 x 2.09 x 0.54 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 152 g (5.36 oz) | 104.7 g (3.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~25.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD, 16M colors |
| | ClearBlack display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) | Qualcomm QC8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 302 | Adreno 304 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim | KaiOS 2.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 4GB 512MB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | VGA |
| Video | 480p@30fps | - |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 480p | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 81 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 576 h (2G) / Up to 576 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 26 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2200 mAh, removable | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange, white, black, gray, blue | Light Charcoal, White, Cyan Green |
| Models | - | TA-1294, TA-1291, TA-1287, TA-1286 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.77 W/kg (body) |
Microsoft Lumia 540 Dual SIM
- Slightly faster processor (Snapdragon 200)
- Full smartphone OS (Windows Phone)
- Dual SIM support
- Outdated operating system (Windows Phone)
- Limited app availability
- Potentially shorter battery life
Nokia 6300 4G
- Longer battery life (likely)
- Simplified user interface
- Familiar physical form factor
- Slower processor (Snapdragon 210)
- Limited smartphone functionality
- Smaller screen size
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize LCD panels, and detailed specifications like resolution and brightness are unavailable. However, given the market segment, we can assume both offer basic viewing experiences suitable for essential tasks. The Nokia 6300 4G’s smaller screen size (likely around 2.4 inches, based on its heritage) may offer slightly better pixel density, but the Lumia 540’s larger display (5 inches) provides more screen real estate for content consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar and underwhelming on both devices. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but given the price point, expect basic image capture capabilities suitable for casual snapshots. The focus should not be on image quality, but rather on functionality. Both devices will likely struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Microsoft Lumia 540 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 with a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, fabricated on a 28nm process. The Nokia 6300 4G utilizes the Qualcomm QC8909 Snapdragon 210, also on a 28nm process, but with a slightly slower quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. While both are entry-level, the 100MHz clock speed advantage of the Snapdragon 200 in the Lumia 540 suggests marginally faster performance in app loading and multitasking. Both chipsets are likely paired with 1GB of RAM, limiting multitasking capabilities on both devices.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Nokia 6300 4G, inheriting the design of a feature phone, likely prioritizes battery life. Its simplified operating system and less demanding hardware will contribute to longer standby and talk times. The Lumia 540, running a full smartphone OS, will likely require more frequent charging, despite potentially having a larger battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 540 Dual SIM if you need a fully-fledged, albeit basic, smartphone experience with dual SIM support and are comfortable with an older version of Windows Phone. Buy the Nokia 6300 4G if you prioritize a long-lasting battery, a familiar physical form factor, and a simplified user interface, leaning towards a modern feature phone experience with 4G connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Windows Phone operating system on the Lumia 540 still supported with security updates?
No, Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows Phone, meaning the Lumia 540 no longer receives security updates. This poses a significant security risk, making it less suitable for sensitive tasks like online banking or storing personal information.
❓ Can I install WhatsApp or Facebook on the Nokia 6300 4G?
The Nokia 6300 4G runs on KaiOS, a lightweight operating system designed for feature phones. While WhatsApp and Facebook have versions compatible with KaiOS, they are significantly limited compared to their smartphone counterparts. Expect a stripped-down experience with fewer features.
❓ Which phone is better for making and receiving calls in areas with weak signal strength?
Both phones utilize 4G connectivity, but the Nokia 6300 4G’s design, rooted in traditional mobile phone engineering, may offer slightly better call quality in areas with marginal signal strength due to optimized antenna design for voice calls.
