Microsoft's Lumia series offered compelling budget-friendly Windows Phones. The Lumia 640 LTE and 535 were popular choices, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall value to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 640 LTE edges out the 535 thanks to its significantly better battery life and superior display contrast. While both offer a basic Windows Phone experience, the 640 LTE provides a more enjoyable and longer-lasting user experience, justifying its slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - T-Mobile | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, April | 2014, November. Released 2014, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm (5.56 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) | 140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8 mm (5.52 x 2.85 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 146 g (5.15 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | 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 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 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 | 5 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1 MP | 5 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, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 78 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 864 h (2G) / Up to 864 h (3G) | Up to 552 h |
| Talk time | Up to 26 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 17 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1905 mAh, removable (BL-L4A) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte black | Orange, green, white, black, gray, blue |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.62 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 76h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1034 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
| - |
Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE
- Excellent Battery Life (76h)
- Superior Display Contrast
- Slightly Better Performance
- LTE Connectivity
- Older Windows Phone OS
- Basic Camera Quality
- Limited Storage (typically 8/16GB)
Microsoft Lumia 535
- Very Affordable
- Functional Windows Phone Experience
- Compact Size
- Weaker Performance
- Subpar Display
- Shorter Battery Life
- No LTE
Display Comparison
The Lumia 640 LTE boasts a significantly better display. Its contrast ratio of 1034 (nominal) and 2.563 (sunlight) is notably higher than the Lumia 535, resulting in richer colors, deeper blacks, and improved visibility in bright conditions. The 535's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and clarity of the 640 LTE.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Lumia 640 LTE generally has a slightly better camera due to its more advanced chipset and potentially better image processing algorithms. Both cameras are adequate for casual snapshots but don't excel in low-light conditions. Specific megapixel counts are not provided, but the 640 LTE's hardware generally provided better results.
Performance
Both phones utilize a Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor, suggesting similar performance for basic tasks. However, the Lumia 640 LTE's Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 chipset offers a slight advantage in processing power and efficiency compared to the Lumia 535's Snapdragon 200. This translates to slightly smoother multitasking and app loading times on the 640 LTE.
Battery Life
The Lumia 640 LTE's battery life is a standout feature. With an endurance rating of 76 hours, it significantly outperforms the Lumia 535. This extended battery life makes the 640 LTE a much better choice for users who need a phone that can last through a full day or more on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a better viewing experience. It's a good choice for those who need a reliable phone for calls, texts, and basic apps. The Lumia 535 is best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who need a functional Windows Phone for essential tasks and aren't concerned with premium features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lumia 640 LTE still worth buying in [current year]?
While it's an older device, the Lumia 640 LTE's excellent battery life and decent performance can still be appealing, especially if you find it at a very low price. However, consider that software updates are likely discontinued.
❓ What is the difference between the Lumia 535 and 640 LTE?
The key differences are the 640 LTE's superior display, longer battery life, slightly better performance due to the Snapdragon 400 chipset, and LTE connectivity. The 535 is a more budget-friendly option but compromises on these features.
