Microsoft's Lumia series offered compelling budget Windows phones, and the 650 and 640 LTE were popular choices. But which one reigns supreme? This in-depth comparison will analyze their key features to help you decide which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 640 LTE edges out the 650 thanks to its superior battery life and slightly more powerful chipset. While the 650 boasts a potentially better display in direct sunlight, the 640 LTE's overall performance and longevity make it the better value.
| 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 |
| | - | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - T-Mobile |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, February. Released 2016, February | 2015, March. Released 2015, April |
| 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) | 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm (5.56 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 122 g (4.30 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~297 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 67.5 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | IPS LCD |
| | ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909v2 Snapdragon 212 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to 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 | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 1 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 624 h (3G) | Up to 864 h (2G) / Up to 864 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 26 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 17 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Glossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte black |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 55h
|
Endurance rating 76h
|
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.77(sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1034 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
|
Microsoft Lumia 650
- Potentially better sunlight display visibility
- Slightly more premium design
- Compact size
- Weaker performance
- Shorter battery life
- No front-facing camera
Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE
- Longer battery life
- Better performance (Snapdragon 400)
- Front-facing camera
- Generally better value
- Slightly less premium design
- Potentially less visible in direct sunlight
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 5-inch HD displays, but the Lumia 650 claims an 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term) with a decent 3.77 contrast ratio in sunlight. The Lumia 640 LTE has a measured 1034 contrast ratio (nominal) and 2.563 in sunlight. While the 650 *might* appear brighter in direct sunlight, the 640 LTE's contrast offers a more visually appealing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
The Lumia 650 and 640 LTE both feature 8MP rear cameras. However, the 640 LTE includes a front-facing camera for selfies and video calls, a feature absent on the 650. Image quality is comparable, but the 640 LTE's additional camera provides more versatility.
Performance
The Lumia 640 LTE's Snapdragon 400 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the 650's Snapdragon 212. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the 640 LTE. Both phones utilize a Cortex-A7 quad-core processor, but the Snapdragon 400 is a more efficient and capable chip.
Battery Life
The Lumia 640 LTE significantly outperforms the 650 in battery endurance, boasting a rated 76 hours compared to the 650's 55 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, making the 640 LTE a more practical choice for heavy users.
Buying Guide
The Microsoft Lumia 650 is ideal for users prioritizing a potentially brighter display in sunlight and a slightly more premium design. The Lumia 640 LTE is a better choice for those who need longer battery life and a more responsive experience, especially for basic multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
While both phones are quite old, they can still be functional for basic tasks. However, consider the lack of software updates and security patches before purchasing.
❓ Which phone has better call quality?
Both phones offer decent call quality, but the 640 LTE's slightly better chipset might contribute to marginally clearer audio.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both phones support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.
