The Nokia Lumia 635 and Microsoft Lumia 535 were popular budget Windows Phone options. Both offered a taste of the Windows experience without breaking the bank, but which one delivered the better value? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia Lumia 635 edges out the Lumia 535 thanks to its superior display contrast and significantly longer battery life. While both are budget devices, the 635 provides a more enjoyable overall experience, especially for media consumption and extended use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - RM-974 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 20 - RM-974 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - RM-975 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, April. Released 2014, June | 2014, November. Released 2014, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 129.5 x 66.7 x 9.2 mm, 78.5 cc (5.10 x 2.63 x 0.36 in) | 140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8 mm (5.52 x 2.85 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 134 g (4.73 oz) | 146 g (5.15 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~221 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 54.3 cm2 (~62.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | ClearBlack display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 302 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, 1/4.0", AF | 5 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE/ aptX after WP8 Denim update | 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | 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 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, sensor core | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 58 h | Up to 78 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 648 h | Up to 552 h |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1830 mAh, removable (BL-5H) | Li-Ion 1905 mAh, removable (BL-L4A) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Bright Orange, bright green, bright yellow, white, black | Orange, green, white, black, gray, blue |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.75 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) | 0.62 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 66h
| - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 771:1 (nominal), 2.056 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
| - |
Nokia Lumia 635
- Superior Display Contrast
- Longer Battery Life
- Slightly Better Performance
- More Sunlight Readable
- Older Model
- Limited App Availability (Windows Phone ecosystem decline)
Microsoft Lumia 535
- More Affordable
- Compact Design
- Decent Value for Money
- Weaker Performance
- Poor Battery Life
- Less Vibrant Display
- Low-Resolution Screen
Display Comparison
The Lumia 635 boasts a significantly better display with a contrast ratio of 771:1 (nominal) and an impressive 2.056 in sunlight. The Lumia 535's display, while functional, lacks the same level of vibrancy and readability in bright conditions. This is a key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
The Lumia 635 features a 5MP rear camera, while the Lumia 535 also has a 5MP rear camera. Image quality is comparable, but both struggle in low-light conditions. Neither phone offers a front-facing camera.
Performance
Both phones share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (Lumia 635) and Snapdragon 200 (Lumia 535) chipsets with a 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 quad-core CPU. However, the Lumia 635's slightly more powerful chipset generally translates to marginally smoother performance in everyday tasks and app usage. The Lumia 535 can feel a bit sluggish at times.
Battery Life
This is where the Lumia 635 truly shines. Its endurance rating of 66 hours significantly surpasses the Lumia 535's battery life. Users can expect considerably longer usage times on the Lumia 635 before needing to recharge.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 635 is ideal for users prioritizing a vibrant display and long battery life, even on a budget. The Microsoft Lumia 535 is a good choice for those seeking a very affordable option and are less concerned with screen quality or endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Nokia Lumia 635 generally offers slightly better performance due to its Snapdragon 400 chipset compared to the Lumia 535's Snapdragon 200.
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in [current year]?
Given their age and the decline of the Windows Phone ecosystem, neither phone is recommended for new purchases. However, they might be suitable for very basic use cases or as a secondary device if found at a very low price.
