The Lumia 635 and 640 LTE were popular budget-friendly Windows Phones, offering a taste of Microsoft's mobile OS without breaking the bank. But which one offered the better experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE edges out the Nokia Lumia 635 thanks to its improved display visibility in sunlight and slightly better battery endurance. While both offer similar performance, the 640 LTE's enhancements make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - RM-974 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 20 - RM-974 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - RM-975 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - T-Mobile |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, April. Released 2014, June | 2015, March. Released 2015, April |
| 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) | 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm (5.56 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 134 g (4.73 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~221 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 54.3 cm2 (~62.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | ClearBlack display | 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 MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 305 |
| 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 | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 1 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 |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | 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, sensor core | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 58 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 648 h | Up to 864 h (2G) / Up to 864 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) | Up to 26 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 17 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1830 mAh, removable (BL-5H) | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Bright Orange, bright green, bright yellow, white, black | Glossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte black |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.75 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 66h
|
Endurance rating 76h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 771:1 (nominal), 2.056 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1034 (nominal), 2.563 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
|
Nokia Lumia 635
- Lower Price
- Decent Performance for Basic Tasks
- Compact Size
- Dim Display
- Shorter Battery Life
- Limited App Availability (Windows Phone)
Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE
- Brighter Display (Sunlight Readability)
- Longer Battery Life
- LTE Connectivity
- Potentially Better Camera
- Slightly Higher Price
- Limited App Availability (Windows Phone)
- Performance Not Ideal for Demanding Games
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5-inch display, but the Lumia 640 LTE boasts a significantly better contrast ratio (1034:1 vs 771:1) and notably improved sunlight readability (2.563 vs 2.056). This means the 640 LTE's screen is easier to see outdoors, a crucial factor for many users. Colors are generally accurate on both, though neither excels in this area.
Camera Comparison
The Lumia 640 LTE has a slight advantage here, featuring a dedicated Photo/Video camera section in its specs, implying a potentially better camera experience. While both likely have a 5MP or 8MP main camera, the 640 LTE's software and image processing might be slightly improved. Low-light performance on both will be average.
Performance
Under the hood, both devices share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset and a 1.2 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU. Performance is comparable for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Don't expect blazing speeds, but they're adequate for their intended purpose. RAM was typically 1GB on both models, which can be a limiting factor with multitasking.
Battery Life
The Lumia 640 LTE secures another win with an endurance rating of 76 hours compared to the Lumia 635's 66 hours. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the 640 LTE, allowing for more usage between charges. Both phones have a similar battery capacity (around 2500mAh).
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 635 is a decent option for users deeply invested in the Windows Phone ecosystem and seeking the absolute lowest price. The Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE is a better all-around choice for those prioritizing a brighter display and slightly longer battery life, especially if they value LTE connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are apps readily available for these phones?
The Windows Phone app store has significantly fewer apps compared to Android or iOS. While essential apps are available, don't expect a vast selection.
❓ What does LTE connectivity mean?
LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is a faster mobile data standard. The Lumia 640 LTE supports LTE, allowing for quicker internet speeds compared to older 3G networks.
