Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM vs. Google Pixel 7a: A Generational Leap?

The Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM represents a bygone era of Windows Phone, while the Google Pixel 7a embodies modern Android excellence. This comparison explores how these two phones stack up, considering their strengths and weaknesses for today's users. Can a budget Windows phone compete with a flagship-lite Android device?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Google Pixel 7a is the clear winner. While the Lumia 640 boasts impressive battery life, the Pixel 7a's superior performance, camera, display, and modern features make it a vastly more compelling choice for most users. It's a significant upgrade in almost every aspect.

PHONES
Phone Names Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8
Launch
Announced2015, March. Released 2015, April2023, May 10
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, May 10
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm (5.56 x 2.84 x 0.35 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMDual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight145 g (5.11 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR, 90Hz
 ClearBlack displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 305Mali-G710 MP7
OSMicrosoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal8GB 1GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 4.5UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single1 MP13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video720p4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging-18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Stand-byUp to 840 h (2G) / Up to 840 h (3G)-
Talk timeUp to 27 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 20 h 30 min (3G)-
TypeLi-Ion 2500 mAh, removableLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsGlossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte blackCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
Models-GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 170 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 76h -
Display Contrast ratio: 1034 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight)-
Loudspeaker Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB -

Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM

  • Extremely long battery life
  • Affordable price (when available)
  • Dual SIM support

  • Outdated software and limited support
  • Slow performance
  • Low-resolution display
  • Basic camera

Google Pixel 7a

  • Excellent camera
  • Smooth performance
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Modern Android features
  • Fast charging

  • Can get warm under heavy load
  • No expandable storage

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a's display is a revelation compared to the Lumia 640. The 7a boasts a significantly brighter display (1070 nits) offering vibrant colors and excellent outdoor visibility. The Lumia 640's contrast ratio is decent (1034 nominal), but lacks the brightness and overall visual appeal of the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 7a also has a higher resolution, resulting in sharper images and text.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a's camera is a major selling point. Google's computational photography is renowned, delivering excellent image quality, even in challenging lighting conditions. The Lumia 640's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but lacks the detail, dynamic range, and features of the Pixel 7a. Video recording capabilities are also far superior on the Pixel 7a.

Performance

The Pixel 7a's Google Tensor G2 chipset and octa-core CPU utterly dominate the Lumia 640's Snapdragon 400. The Pixel 7a offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The Lumia 640, while functional, can feel sluggish by modern standards.

Battery Life

Interestingly, both phones share the same endurance rating of 76h. However, the Pixel 7a's more efficient chipset and modern power management likely contribute to better real-world battery life despite the Lumia 640's larger battery capacity. The Pixel 7a also supports faster charging (18W wired, 7.5W wireless) compared to the Lumia 640.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM? Primarily those seeking a very basic, ultra-budget phone and are comfortable with the Windows Phone ecosystem (though support is extremely limited now). Who should buy the Google Pixel 7a? Anyone looking for a reliable, feature-rich Android phone with a fantastic camera and smooth performance, without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Lumia 640 still worth buying?
Unless you have a very specific need for a Windows Phone or are on an extremely tight budget, the Lumia 640 is not recommended due to its outdated software and limited support.
❓ What Android version does the Pixel 7a run?
The Google Pixel 7a ships with the latest Android version and is guaranteed to receive several years of software updates.