Microsoft's Lumia series offered a range of affordable Windows phones, and the 650 and 550 were popular choices. But which one is the better pick? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall value to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 650 edges out the 550 thanks to its slightly faster processor, better display contrast, and significantly longer battery life. While both are budget options, the 650 offers a more refined and capable experience, justifying its (likely) slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, February. Released 2016, February | 2015, October. Released 2015, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 142 x 70.9 x 6.9 mm (5.59 x 2.79 x 0.27 in) | 136.1 x 67.8 x 9.9 mm (5.36 x 2.67 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 122 g (4.30 oz) | 141.9 (5.01 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~297 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~315 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 67.5 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 59.7 cm2 (~64.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | IPS LCD, |
| | ClearBlack display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909v2 Snapdragon 212 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Adreno 304 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 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, 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 2 MP, f/2.8 |
| Video | 720p | 480p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 60 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 624 h (3G) | Up to 672 h (2G) / Up to 672 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 16 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 55h
| Endurance rating 42h |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.77(sunlight) | - |
Microsoft Lumia 650
- Better Battery Life
- Slightly Faster Processor
- Superior Display Contrast
- More Refined Design
- No Video Recording
- Limited Availability (Older Device)
- Windows 10 Mobile Support Ended
Microsoft Lumia 550
- More Affordable
- Compact Design
- Video Recording Capability
- Shorter Battery Life
- Slower Processor
- Lower Display Quality
- Limited Availability (Older Device)
- Windows 10 Mobile Support Ended
Display Comparison
The Lumia 650 boasts a superior display experience. While both have similar screen sizes (5.0 inches), the 650's contrast ratio is notably better, with a nominal 'infinite' contrast (though realistically around 3.77 in sunlight) compared to the 550's. This translates to richer colors and deeper blacks on the 650. Both use IPS LCD panels, offering decent viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer basic camera capabilities. The Lumia 650 is generally considered to have a slightly better camera sensor, though both primarily focus on photo capture. The 550 has the advantage of video recording, which the 650 lacks. Image quality on both is adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but don't expect stellar results.
Performance
The Lumia 650 holds a slight advantage in performance. It features a 1.3 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A7 processor, compared to the 550's 1.1 GHz counterpart. While both utilize the Cortex-A7 architecture, the higher clock speed on the 650 provides a noticeable boost in responsiveness and app loading times. Both phones are running Windows 10 Mobile, which is relatively lightweight, but the 650's chip handles it a bit more smoothly.
Battery Life
Battery life is a significant differentiator. The Lumia 650 offers a considerably longer endurance rating of 55 hours, compared to the 550's 42 hours. This means the 650 can easily last a full day and a half on a single charge, making it a more practical choice for users who are on the go.
Buying Guide
The Microsoft Lumia 650 is ideal for users seeking a reliable, slightly more powerful Windows phone with a better display and extended battery life. The Lumia 550 is a good option for those on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a compact design, understanding it will have limitations in performance and features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still supported with software updates?
Unfortunately, both the Lumia 650 and 550 have reached their end of support for software updates from Microsoft. They are running Windows 10 Mobile, which is no longer receiving updates.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
Due to their age, these phones are primarily available through third-party resellers or used marketplaces like eBay or Swappa. Availability can be limited.
