Released in different eras and targeting vastly different price points, the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE and the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge represent contrasting philosophies in smartphone design. The Lumia 640 XL aimed to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, while the S6 edge pushed the boundaries of design and performance as a premium flagship. This comparison dissects their key differences to help understand where each phone shines.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and a premium experience, the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge is the clear winner. Its Exynos 7420 chipset and superior display quality offer a significantly smoother and more immersive experience. However, the Lumia 640 XL LTE provides exceptional battery endurance and remains a viable option for users on a tight budget who prioritize longevity over raw power.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, April | 2015, March 01. Released 2015, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.9 x 81.5 x 9 mm (6.22 x 3.21 x 0.35 in) | 142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm (5.59 x 2.76 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 132 g (4.66 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~577 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 88.9 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.1 inches, 71.5 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | ClearBlack display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8226 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Mali-T760MP8 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, LED flash | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), 1/3.0", AF | 16 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, sensor core | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | - | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 888 h (2G) / Up to 888 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 30 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 24 h (3G) | Up to 18 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte cyan, Orange, Black, Matte white, Glossy white | White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Green Emerald |
| Models | - | SM-G9250, SM-G925A, SM-G925F, SM-G925FQ, SM-G925I, SM-G925K, SM-G925L, SM-G925S, SM-G925T, SC-04G, 404SC, SM-G925D, SM-G925J |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.58 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.33 W/kg (head) 0.59 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -94.4dB |
Noise -95.6dB / Crosstalk -95.7dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 74h
|
Endurance rating 73h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1119:1 (nominal), 3.065 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.124 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 72dB / Noise 67dB / Ring 73dB
|
Voice 68dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 71dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1750Basemark X: 27046 |
Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE
- Exceptional battery endurance (74h)
- Large display for media consumption
- Affordable price point
- Underpowered processor
- Outdated Windows Phone ecosystem
- Inferior display quality
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge
- Powerful Exynos 7420 processor
- Stunning AMOLED display with curved edges
- Fast charging and wireless charging support
- Slightly lower battery endurance (73h)
- Higher price point
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge boasts a superior display experience. While both phones report contrast ratios under sunlight (3.065 for the Lumia, 4.124 for the S6 edge), the S6 edge’s ‘Infinite’ nominal contrast ratio indicates a true AMOLED panel, delivering perfect blacks and vibrant colors. The Lumia 640 XL’s LCD, while adequate, lacks the dynamic range and color accuracy of the S6 edge. The S6 edge’s curved display, though primarily aesthetic, also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience. While neither spec sheet details resolution, the S6 edge’s higher pixel density is visually apparent.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but the context data lacks specifics. Given Samsung’s history with flagship cameras, the S6 edge likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor, optical image stabilization (OIS), and superior image processing algorithms. The Lumia 640 XL, while capable of taking decent photos in good lighting, will likely fall short in low-light conditions and lack the advanced features found on the S6 edge. The absence of sensor size details makes a precise comparison impossible, but the S6 edge’s market positioning suggests a significantly more capable camera.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge’s Exynos 7420, built on a 14nm process, features an octa-core CPU (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) and a more powerful GPU compared to the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE’s Qualcomm MSM8226 Snapdragon 400 (28nm) with its quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. The smaller manufacturing node of the Exynos chip translates to better thermal efficiency and sustained performance, crucial for demanding applications. The S6 edge will handle multitasking, gaming, and complex apps with ease, while the Lumia 640 XL will struggle with resource-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Despite having nearly identical endurance ratings (74h for the Lumia, 73h for the S6 edge), the underlying factors differ. The Lumia 640 XL achieves its endurance through a larger battery capacity (not specified in the data) and a less power-hungry chipset. The S6 edge, with its more powerful processor and AMOLED display, relies on a combination of software optimization and a 15W wired charging capability (plus optional Qi wireless charging) to maintain comparable battery life. The S6 edge’s faster charging is a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE if you need a large-screen phone with exceptional battery life and are comfortable with the Windows Phone ecosystem. It’s ideal for users who prioritize talk time, basic app functionality, and affordability. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge if you prefer a premium design, a vibrant display, and significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking. It’s geared towards users who want a flagship experience and are willing to pay a premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7420 in the Galaxy S6 edge suffer from overheating issues?
While the Exynos 7420 is a powerful chip, it was known to run warm under sustained heavy load. Samsung implemented thermal management solutions, but prolonged gaming or video recording could lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. However, it's generally well-managed for typical usage.
❓ Is the Windows Phone ecosystem on the Lumia 640 XL still viable in 2024?
The Windows Phone ecosystem is largely unsupported by Microsoft. App availability is limited, and security updates are infrequent. While the phone can still function for basic tasks, it's not recommended for users who rely on a wide range of apps or require regular security patches.
❓ How does the 15W charging on the S6 edge compare to modern fast charging standards?
15W charging was considered fast charging in 2015 when the S6 edge was released. However, modern smartphones often support 25W, 45W, or even 65W charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups. The S6 edge’s charging speed is relatively slow by today’s standards.
❓ What are the benefits of the curved screen on the Galaxy S6 edge?
The curved screen on the S6 edge primarily offers an aesthetic advantage and a more immersive viewing experience. Samsung also implemented 'Edge Panels' – customizable shortcuts accessible by swiping in from the curved edges – adding a layer of functionality.
