The Microsoft Lumia 640 and 640 XL represent Microsoft’s attempt to capture the budget smartphone market with Windows Phone 8.1. While sharing a similar core experience, the XL variant offers a larger display and slightly larger battery. This comparison dissects the nuances between these two devices to determine which best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE offers the best balance of portability and functionality. While the 640 XL boasts a superior display contrast ratio, the difference isn't substantial enough to justify the larger size for those prioritizing pocketability. Both phones deliver similar performance and battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | 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) | 157.9 x 81.5 x 9 mm (6.22 x 3.21 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 171 g (6.03 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 (~259 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 88.9 cm2 (~69.1% 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 MSM8226 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 | Zeiss optics, LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), 1/3.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | 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, sensor core |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 864 h (2G) / Up to 864 h (3G) | Up to 888 h (2G) / Up to 888 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 26 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 17 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 30 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 24 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte black | Matte cyan, Orange, Black, Matte white, Glossy white |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -94.4dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 76h
|
Endurance rating 74h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1034 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1119:1 (nominal), 3.065 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 72dB / Noise 67dB / Ring 73dB
|
Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE
- More compact and pocketable design.
- Slightly better battery endurance rating.
- Lower price point (likely).
- Lower display contrast ratio.
- Smaller screen size may not suit all users.
Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE
- Larger display for improved media consumption.
- Higher display contrast ratio for better visibility.
- Potentially more comfortable for users with larger hands.
- Less portable due to larger size.
- Slightly lower battery endurance rating.
Display Comparison
Both the Lumia 640 and 640 XL utilize similar display technology, but differ in size and contrast. The 640 XL’s display exhibits a higher nominal contrast ratio of 1119:1 compared to the 640’s 1034:1, and a significantly better sunlight contrast of 3.065 versus 2.563. This translates to slightly more vibrant colors and improved readability under direct sunlight on the XL. However, both displays share the same resolution, meaning the pixel density is lower on the larger XL screen, potentially impacting sharpness. The impact of this lower pixel density is minimal for typical use cases.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are equipped with similar camera systems, described simply as 'Photo / Video' in the provided data. Without specific sensor details or megapixel counts, a detailed camera comparison is impossible. However, given their budget positioning, image quality is expected to be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will likely be limited. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) suggests image stabilization relies solely on software processing, which may introduce artifacts.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 (28nm), featuring a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. While the 640 XL uses the MSM8226 variant, the core performance remains virtually identical. This chipset is adequate for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light app usage. However, demanding applications or multitasking will likely result in noticeable slowdowns. The shared chipset and likely similar RAM configurations mean performance differences will be negligible in real-world scenarios. Thermal management is unlikely to be a concern given the low-power nature of the Snapdragon 400.
Battery Life
The Lumia 640 boasts an endurance rating of 76 hours, while the 640 XL achieves 74 hours. This suggests the 640 offers slightly better battery life despite the XL’s larger battery capacity. This difference could be attributed to the XL’s larger, higher-resolution display consuming more power. Both phones offer respectable battery endurance for moderate usage, easily lasting a full day for typical users. Charging times are not specified, but are likely similar given the shared chipset and power management capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE if you prioritize a more compact form factor for one-handed use and value portability. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for communication, basic productivity, and occasional photography. Buy the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE if you frequently consume media, read ebooks, or prefer a larger screen for improved visibility and a slightly more immersive experience, and don't mind the increased size.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 400 struggle with modern apps, even after Windows 10 Mobile updates?
Yes, the Snapdragon 400 is a relatively old chipset. While Windows 10 Mobile may have optimized performance, demanding apps and multitasking will likely result in noticeable lag and slowdowns. These phones are best suited for basic tasks and light usage.
❓ How does the display quality compare for outdoor use on both devices?
The Lumia 640 XL has a significantly higher sunlight contrast ratio (3.065) compared to the 640 (2.563). This means the XL’s display will remain more readable under direct sunlight, offering a better outdoor viewing experience.
❓ Is the difference in battery life between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
The difference in endurance ratings (76h vs 74h) is relatively small. While the 640 has a slight edge, most users won't notice a significant difference in battery life during typical daily use. Usage patterns will have a much larger impact on battery performance.
