Nokia Lumia 635 vs. Lumia 630: A Detailed Comparison

The Nokia Lumia 635 and 630 were popular budget Windows Phone options. Both offered a taste of Microsoft's mobile OS without breaking the bank. But which one provided the better overall experience? Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia Lumia 630 edges out the 635 primarily due to its inclusion of a camera, a feature absent in the 635. Both share similar performance and battery life, making the camera the deciding factor for most users seeking a basic, affordable Windows Phone.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia Lumia 635	Nokia Lumia 630

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - RM-974	HSDPA 900 / 2100 - RM-976
4G bands	3, 7, 20 - RM-974	-
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps	HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA
	2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - RM-975	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-977

Launch
Announced	2014, April. Released 2014, June	2014, April. Released 2014, May
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)	129.5 x 66.7 x 9.2 mm, 78.5 cc (5.10 x 2.63 x 0.36 in)
SIM	Micro-SIM	Micro-SIM
Weight	134 g (4.73 oz)	134 g (4.73 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~221 ppi density)	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~221 ppi density)
Size	4.5 inches, 54.3 cm2 (~62.9% screen-to-body ratio)	4.5 inches, 54.3 cm2 (~62.9% 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 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm)
GPU	Adreno 305	Adreno 305
OS	Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1	Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	8GB 512MB 8GB 1GB RAM	8GB 512MB RAM
	eMMC 4.5	eMMC 4.5

Main Camera
Features	Panorama	Panorama
Single	5 MP, 1/4.0", AF	5 MP, 1/4.0", AF
Video	720p@30fps	720p@30fps

Selfie camera
	No	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 after WP8 Denim update
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, sensor core

Battery
Music play	Up to 58 h	Up to 58 h
Stand-by	Up to 648 h	Up to 600 h
Talk time	Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G)	Up to 16 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 13 h 10 min (3G)
Type	Li-Ion 1830 mAh, removable (BL-5H)	Li-Ion 1830 mAh, removable (BL-5H)

Misc
Colors	Bright Orange, bright green, bright yellow, white, black	Bright Orange, bright green, bright yellow, white, black
Price	About 110 EUR	About 110 EUR
SAR	0.97 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body)	1.52 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.75 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body)	1.51 W/kg (head) 1.52 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 66h	Endurance rating 66h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 771:1 (nominal), 2.056 (sunlight)	Contrast ratio: 771:1 (nominal), 2.056 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB	Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB

Nokia Lumia 635

Slightly more compact design
Good sunlight display performance
Decent call quality

No rear camera
Limited storage (expandable via microSD)
Performance can be sluggish with multiple apps

Nokia Lumia 630

Includes a 5MP rear camera
Larger display (slightly)
Good battery life
Expandable storage

Performance can be sluggish with multiple apps
Display resolution is low
Plastic build feels less premium

Display Comparison

Both the Lumia 635 and 630 feature a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. The contrast ratios, as reported, are impressive at 771:1 nominal and 2.056 in sunlight, suggesting good outdoor visibility. While the resolution isn't high, the IPS panel provides decent viewing angles and color reproduction for the price point. There's no significant difference in display quality between the two.

Camera Comparison

This is where the biggest difference lies. The Nokia Lumia 630 boasts a 5MP rear camera capable of capturing photos and videos. The Lumia 635, unfortunately, lacks a rear camera entirely. This makes the 630 a more versatile option for casual photography.

Performance

Under the hood, both devices are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset and a 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU. This means performance is virtually identical. Expect smooth navigation and app loading for basic tasks, but don't expect to play demanding games. The 1GB of RAM is a limiting factor, so multitasking should be kept to a minimum.

Battery Life

Both phones share the same battery capacity (1900 mAh) and are reported to have an endurance rating of 66 hours. In real-world usage, you can expect a full day of moderate use from either device. Battery life is a strong point for both models.

Buying Guide

The Nokia Lumia 635 is best suited for users who prioritize a slightly more compact design and don't need a camera. The Nokia Lumia 630 is ideal for those who want a functional camera and a slightly larger display, even on a tight budget.