The Microsoft Lumia 640 series offered budget-friendly Windows Phone experiences. But with two variations – the Dual SIM and the LTE – choosing the right one can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison breaks down the differences to help you decide which Lumia 640 is the best fit for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Both phones share a similar core experience with excellent battery life and a bright display. The Lumia 640 LTE stands out with 4G LTE connectivity and a slightly improved camera, making it the better choice for those needing faster data speeds and slightly better photos, despite the similar price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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 |
| | - | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - T-Mobile |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, April | 2015, March. Released 2015, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm (5.56 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) | 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm (5.56 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to 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 | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1 MP | 1 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 840 h (2G) / Up to 840 h (3G) | Up to 864 h (2G) / Up to 864 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 27 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 20 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 26 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 17 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte black | Glossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte black |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 76h
|
Endurance rating 76h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1034 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1034 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
|
Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM
- Excellent battery life
- Dual SIM capability
- Bright and readable display
- Affordable price
- Basic performance
- Low-resolution display
- No front-facing camera
- Outdated software
Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE
- Excellent battery life
- 4G LTE connectivity
- Slightly better camera
- Bright and readable display
- Affordable price
- Basic performance
- Low-resolution display
- No front-facing camera
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
Both the Lumia 640 Dual SIM and LTE feature a 5-inch HD (1280 x 768) IPS display with a contrast ratio of 1034:1 (nominal) and 2.563:1 in sunlight. While the resolution is adequate, it's not particularly sharp by today's standards. Sunlight readability is surprisingly good, thanks to the high contrast ratio. There's no significant difference in display quality between the two models.
Camera Comparison
The Lumia 640 LTE boasts a slightly improved camera setup compared to the Dual SIM. While both feature an 8MP rear camera, the LTE version generally produces slightly better image quality, particularly in well-lit conditions. The Dual SIM version's camera is still capable, but the LTE offers a marginal advantage. Both lack a front-facing camera.
Performance
Powered by a Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) chipset and a Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, both phones offer adequate performance for basic tasks like browsing, messaging, and light gaming. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds or seamless multitasking with demanding apps. Performance is virtually identical between the two models.
Battery Life
Both devices share the same impressive battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 76 hours. This translates to excellent real-world usage, easily lasting a full day or even longer with moderate use. Battery performance is a major strength for both models.
Buying Guide
The Lumia 640 Dual SIM is ideal for users who frequently travel internationally or need two phone numbers on a single device. The Lumia 640 LTE is better suited for users who prioritize 4G LTE connectivity and a marginally improved camera experience for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What does 'Dual SIM' mean?
Dual SIM allows you to use two SIM cards in the same phone, enabling you to manage two phone numbers simultaneously. This is useful for separating work and personal calls or for using a local SIM card when traveling.
❓ Is the Lumia 640 still worth buying in [current year]?
While the Lumia 640 is an older device, it can still be a viable option for users on a very tight budget who need a reliable phone with excellent battery life. However, consider that software updates are no longer provided, and newer phones offer significantly better performance and features.
