The Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM and Apple iPhone 5c represent a bygone era of budget smartphones. Both offer a taste of their respective ecosystems at an accessible price point, but which one holds up best today? We'll dive deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 640 Dual SIM emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly longer battery life and impressive sunlight readability. While the iPhone 5c boasts a slightly better display contrast, the Lumia's endurance and dual-SIM functionality provide greater overall value for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - A1532 (GSM), A1532 (CDMA), A1456 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25 - A1532 GSM, A1532 CDMA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40 - A1529 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, April | 2013, September 10. Released 2013, September 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm (5.56 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) | 124.4 x 59.2 x 9 mm (4.90 x 2.33 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 132 g (4.66 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | ClearBlack display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Apple A6 (32 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | PowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics) |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 | iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 10.3.3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | 1 MP | 1.2 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 16-bit/44.1kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 840 h (2G) / Up to 840 h (3G) | Up to 250 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 27 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 20 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 10 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Po 1510 mAh, non-removable (5.73 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte black | White, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink |
| Models | - | A1456, A1507, A1516, A1529, A1532, iPhone5,3, iPhone5,4 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -80.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 76h
|
Endurance rating 52h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1034 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1233:1 (nominal) / 3.512:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark X: 2225 |
Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM
- Exceptional battery life
- Dual-SIM functionality
- Good sunlight readability
- Affordable price
- Older chipset, slower performance
- Basic camera
- Windows Phone OS (limited app support)
Apple iPhone 5c
- Compact size
- iOS ecosystem
- Slightly better display contrast
- Generally smoother performance for basic tasks
- Shorter battery life
- Outdated hardware
- Limited app support compared to newer iOS versions
- Older design
Display Comparison
Both phones feature IPS LCD displays, but the Lumia 640's contrast ratio of 1034:1 (nominal) and 2.563:1 (sunlight) is surprisingly good, especially its sunlight readability. The iPhone 5c's 1233:1 (nominal) and 3.512:1 (sunlight) offers a slightly better contrast, but the Lumia 640 holds its own remarkably well in bright conditions. Resolution is similar, both offering adequate clarity for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is a mixed bag. The iPhone 5c's camera is generally considered to produce slightly better images in good lighting conditions, thanks to Apple's image processing. The Lumia 640's camera, while adequate, often produces less vibrant colors. Both offer basic photo and video capabilities, but neither excels in low-light situations. Both lack advanced camera features found in modern smartphones.
Performance
The iPhone 5c's Apple A6 chipset, while older, benefits from Apple's efficient software optimization. The Lumia 640's Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 is a more common budget chipset. Expect smoother performance on the iPhone 5c for basic tasks, but both will struggle with demanding games or multitasking. The iPhone 5c's dual-core processor is generally faster than the Lumia 640's quad-core.
Battery Life
This is where the Lumia 640 truly shines. Its endurance rating of 76h significantly surpasses the iPhone 5c's 52h. The Lumia 640 offers substantially longer battery life, making it a better choice for users who need a phone that can last through multiple days on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM is ideal for users prioritizing battery life, dual-SIM functionality for managing personal and work numbers, and a straightforward Windows experience. The Apple iPhone 5c might appeal to those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and seeking a compact, familiar iOS experience, despite its age.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lumia 640 still worth buying?
If battery life and dual-SIM functionality are your priorities, and you're comfortable with Windows Phone, the Lumia 640 can still be a decent budget option. However, consider the limited app support.
❓ Can I update the iPhone 5c to the latest iOS?
No, the iPhone 5c is no longer supported with iOS updates. It's stuck on an older version, limiting access to new features and security patches.
