Microsoft's Lumia series offered compelling budget Windows phones, and the 640 LTE and 650 were key contenders. But which one reigns supreme? This in-depth comparison will analyze their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 640 LTE edges out the 650 thanks to significantly better battery life and a superior sunlight display. While the 650 boasts a slightly faster processor and a more premium design, the 640 LTE's endurance and visibility make it the more practical choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 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 | 2016, February. Released 2016, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm (5.56 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) | 142 x 70.9 x 6.9 mm (5.59 x 2.79 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 122 g (4.30 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 (~297 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 67.5 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED |
| | ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8909v2 Snapdragon 212 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 304 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 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 | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 864 h (2G) / Up to 864 h (3G) | Up to 624 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 26 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 17 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 16 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte black | Black, White |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 76h
|
Endurance rating 55h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1034 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.77(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
| - |
Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE
- Exceptional battery life (76h)
- Excellent sunlight display visibility
- Mature and efficient Snapdragon 400 chipset
- Generally more affordable
- Older design
- Camera performance is basic
- Slightly slower processor than the 650
Microsoft Lumia 650
- Slightly faster processor
- More premium design and build quality
- Improved image processing (potentially)
- Significantly shorter battery life (55h)
- Sunlight display visibility not as good as 640 LTE
- Can be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Lumia 640 LTE features a contrast ratio of 1034 (nominal) and an impressive 2.563 in sunlight, making it exceptionally readable outdoors. The Lumia 650 boasts an 'infinite' nominal contrast ratio (likely marketing) and a 3.77 sunlight rating, which is still good but doesn't match the 640 LTE's performance. Both phones have similar resolution displays, but the 640 LTE's sunlight visibility is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature cameras primarily for basic photo capture. The Lumia 640 LTE has a camera described as 'Photo / Video', while the Lumia 650 is listed as 'Photo'. Given the era, expect image quality to be adequate in good lighting conditions, but lacking in low light. The Lumia 650 might have slightly improved image processing due to its newer chipset, but the difference is unlikely to be significant.
Performance
The Lumia 650 has a slightly faster CPU (1.3 GHz vs 1.2 GHz) and a newer chipset (Snapdragon 212 vs Snapdragon 400). However, in real-world usage, the difference is minimal. Both phones are adequate for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming, but don't expect flagship-level performance. The Snapdragon 400 in the 640 LTE is generally considered a more mature and efficient platform.
Battery Life
This is where the Lumia 640 LTE truly shines. It boasts an endurance rating of 76 hours, significantly higher than the Lumia 650's 55 hours. This translates to considerably longer battery life, making the 640 LTE a winner for users who need a phone that can last through multiple days on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and outdoor visibility. It's a great option for those who need a reliable phone that can last through a full day of heavy use. The Microsoft Lumia 650 is better suited for users who value a more refined design and slightly improved performance, but are willing to compromise on battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lumia 650 worth the extra cost over the 640 LTE?
Not really, unless you prioritize a slightly more premium design and don't mind the significantly reduced battery life. The 640 LTE offers better overall value.
❓ Are these phones still receiving software updates?
Microsoft ended support for these devices some time ago. You will not receive further feature updates or security patches.
