The Microsoft Lumia 640 and 435 represent a bygone era of Windows Phone, but remain relevant for those seeking ultra-affordable, dual-SIM capable devices. Both aimed to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a low price point, but significant internal differences dictate which model offers the better experience. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and display quality.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Microsoft Lumia 640 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 400 chipset and resulting performance advantage, coupled with a noticeably longer 76-hour endurance rating, justify the slight price premium over the Lumia 435. While both are budget devices, the 640 offers a more responsive and reliable experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, April | 2015, January. Released 2015, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm (5.56 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) | 118.1 x 64.7 x 11.7 mm (4.65 x 2.55 x 0.46 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 134.1 g (4.73 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, |
| | ClearBlack display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 302 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to 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 | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | 2 MP, f/2.7, 36mm (standard), 1/5.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1 MP | VGA |
| Video | 720p | 480p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| 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, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 64 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 840 h (2G) / Up to 840 h (3G) | Up to 504 h (2G) / Up to 504 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 27 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 20 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 21 h (2G) / Up to 11 h 45 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1560 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte black | Black, White, Green, Orange |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 76h
| Endurance rating 64h |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1034 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
| - |
Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM
- Superior performance with the Snapdragon 400
- Longer battery life (76h endurance)
- Better display contrast for improved visibility
- Slightly higher price point
- Still a budget device with limited features
Microsoft Lumia 435 Dual SIM
- Extremely affordable
- Compact and lightweight design
- Dual SIM functionality
- Significantly slower performance with Snapdragon 200
- Shorter battery life (64h endurance)
- Likely lower display quality
Display Comparison
Both the Lumia 640 and 435 share a similar display size, but the 640 boasts a significantly better contrast ratio. The 640’s nominal contrast of 1034 and sunlight contrast of 2.563 indicates superior visibility in bright conditions compared to the 435 (specs unavailable, but expected to be lower given the price difference). While neither display is expected to be particularly color accurate, the improved contrast on the 640 will result in a more pleasant viewing experience, especially outdoors. The lack of detailed display specs for the 435 suggests a cost-cutting approach in this area.
Camera Comparison
Unfortunately, detailed camera specifications are unavailable for either device. Given their budget positioning, it’s safe to assume both feature basic camera sensors. The focus should not be on image quality, but rather on functionality. Both phones likely offer similar image processing capabilities, and any differences in photo quality will be minimal. The absence of advanced features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is expected on both models.
Performance
The core difference between these two devices lies in their chipsets. The Lumia 640 utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400, a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor, while the Lumia 435 is equipped with the Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon 200, a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor. This seemingly small difference in core count translates to a substantial performance gap. The Snapdragon 400’s additional cores allow for smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. The 435, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with more demanding applications. Both chipsets are built on a 28nm process, meaning thermal efficiency is comparable, but the 400 will simply complete tasks faster.
Battery Life
The Lumia 640 offers a clear advantage in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 76 hours compared to the Lumia 435’s 64 hours. This 12-hour difference, while not massive, is significant for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. While both phones likely have similar battery capacities (specific mAh figures are unavailable), the more efficient Snapdragon 400 chipset in the 640 contributes to its longer runtime. The 640 will allow for more screen-on time and less frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM if you need a device capable of handling more demanding tasks like social media browsing, light gaming, and multitasking without significant slowdown. Buy the Microsoft Lumia 435 Dual SIM if you prioritize absolute affordability and only require a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and minimal app usage. The 435 is best suited for users who prioritize a very low initial cost above all else.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lumia 435 struggle with modern apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
Yes, the Snapdragon 200 processor in the Lumia 435 is relatively weak. While it can run these apps, you may experience noticeable lag, slow loading times, and occasional crashes, especially when multitasking. The Lumia 640’s Snapdragon 400 provides a much smoother experience.
❓ Is the difference in battery life between the two phones noticeable in real-world usage?
Absolutely. The 12-hour endurance rating difference translates to a tangible improvement in daily use. Lumia 640 users will likely find themselves charging their phones less frequently, particularly if they are moderate to heavy users. The 435 may require a midday charge for those with demanding usage patterns.
❓ Can either of these phones be upgraded to a newer operating system?
No. Both the Lumia 640 and 435 originally shipped with Windows Phone 8.1 and received the Windows 10 Mobile update. However, Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10 Mobile, meaning neither device will receive further operating system or security updates.
