Released roughly two years apart, the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL and the Nokia Lumia 822 represent different priorities within the Windows Phone ecosystem. The 640 XL aimed for affordability and extended battery life, while the 822 focused on a more premium, compact experience. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking longevity and value, the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL emerges as the better choice. Its significantly superior battery endurance rating of 74 hours outweighs the Lumia 822’s slightly faster processor, especially considering both phones are now running legacy software.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands | - | 13 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, April | 2012, October. Released 2012, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 157.9 x 81.5 x 9 mm (6.22 x 3.21 x 0.35 in) | 127.8 x 68.4 x 11.2 mm, 95 cc (5.03 x 2.69 x 0.44 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 141.6 g (4.97 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 88.9 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~60.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| | ClearBlack display | Nokia ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8226 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 225 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, LED flash | Carl Zeiss Tessar lens, F2.2, dual-LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), 1/3.0", AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 1.2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE/ aptX after WP8 Denim update |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| 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 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, sensor core | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | OneDrive (15 GB cloud storage)
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/WMA player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Document viewer
Video/photo editor |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 62.1 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 936 h (2G) / Up to 936 h (3G) | Up to 254 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 31 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 23 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 10 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1800 mAh, removable (BP-4W) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte cyan, Orange, Black, Matte white, Glossy white | Black, Gray, White, Red |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.23 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -94.4dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 74h
| - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1119:1 (nominal), 3.065 (sunlight) | - |
Microsoft Lumia 640 XL
- Exceptional battery life (74h endurance)
- Superior sunlight readability due to high contrast ratio
- Larger display for media consumption
- Slower processor compared to the Lumia 822
- Larger form factor may not suit all users
Nokia Lumia 822
- More compact and pocketable design
- Slightly faster processor for basic tasks
- Potentially better camera image processing (Nokia legacy)
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Lower contrast ratio impacts outdoor visibility
Display Comparison
The Lumia 640 XL boasts a larger display, but the key differentiator lies in its contrast ratios. The 640 XL achieves a nominal contrast of 1119:1, improving to a remarkable 3.065:1 in direct sunlight. This suggests significantly better outdoor visibility compared to the Lumia 822, which lacks published contrast ratio data. While the 822’s display size isn’t specified, its focus was on a more pocketable design, likely resulting in a lower overall screen real estate. The improved sunlight readability of the 640 XL is a substantial benefit for users frequently outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is known for its camera prowess, and detailed camera specs are unavailable. Given the market positioning, the Lumia 822 likely featured a more refined camera experience, potentially with better low-light performance due to Nokia’s image processing expertise at the time. However, without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The 640 XL, being a later model, may have benefited from software improvements, but the core hardware likely remains the limiting factor.
Performance
The chipset choice defines the performance gap. The Lumia 640 XL utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8226 Snapdragon 400, a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor built on a 28nm process. The Lumia 822, however, features the Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus, a dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor. While the S4 Plus’s Krait cores offer superior individual core performance, the 640 XL’s quad-core configuration provides better multitasking capabilities. However, the age of both devices and the limitations of Windows Phone 8.1/10 Mobile mean the real-world performance difference will be minimal for most users. The 28nm process of the Snapdragon 400 is less efficient than newer nodes, but the lower clock speed mitigates some of the thermal concerns.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Lumia 640 XL truly shines. Its endurance rating of 74 hours is a significant advantage over the Lumia 822, which lacks a comparable rating. This difference is likely due to the larger battery capacity in the 640 XL, combined with the less power-hungry Snapdragon 400 processor. While charging speeds aren’t specified for either device, the extended battery life of the 640 XL reduces the frequency of needing to charge, making it ideal for users who prioritize uninterrupted usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL if you prioritize all-day battery life and a larger display for media consumption, understanding that performance will be adequate for basic tasks. Buy the Nokia Lumia 822 if you prefer a more compact form factor and slightly snappier responsiveness for everyday navigation, but are willing to compromise on battery endurance and potentially face limitations with app compatibility over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lumia 640 XL receive future Windows updates?
Unfortunately, both the Lumia 640 XL and 822 have reached their end-of-life for official Windows updates. They are currently running legacy versions of Windows Phone 8.1 or 10 Mobile, and further software support is unlikely. However, community-driven projects may offer limited functionality extensions.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 400 in the Lumia 640 XL powerful enough for modern apps?
The Snapdragon 400 is a relatively low-end processor, even for its time. While it can handle basic tasks like calling, texting, and web browsing, it will struggle with demanding modern apps. Expect slow loading times and potential lag when running anything beyond lightweight applications.
❓ How does the size difference between the two phones affect usability?
The Lumia 640 XL’s larger 5.7-inch display is better suited for media consumption and multitasking, but it makes the phone less comfortable to use one-handed. The Lumia 822’s smaller form factor offers better ergonomics and pocketability, making it easier to manage with one hand.
❓ Given their age, are replacement batteries readily available for either device?
Finding replacement batteries for both the Lumia 640 XL and 822 is becoming increasingly difficult. Availability is limited to third-party sellers, and quality can vary significantly. Proceed with caution and research the seller thoroughly before purchasing.
