Nokia and Microsoft's Lumia series offered compelling budget Windows Phone options. The Lumia 735 and 640 XL were popular choices, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Microsoft Lumia 640 XL edges out the Nokia Lumia 735 thanks to its significantly better battery life and superior sunlight readability. While both offer similar performance, the 640 XL's larger display and longer endurance make it the more practical choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - RM-1039 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - RM-1039 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 3, 7, 20 - RM-1038 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, September | 2015, March. Released 2015, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 134.7 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm (5.30 x 2.70 x 0.35 in) | 157.9 x 81.5 x 9 mm (6.22 x 3.21 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 134 g (4.73 oz) | 171 g (6.03 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 88.9 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | 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 MSM8226 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama | Zeiss optics, LED flash |
| Single | 6.7 MP (6.1 MP effective), 1/3.4", AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), 1/3.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | 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, gyro, proximity, compass, sensor core | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, sensor core |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) | - |
| Music play | Up to 60 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 600 h | Up to 936 h (2G) / Up to 936 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (2G) / Up to 17 h (3G) | Up to 31 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 23 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2200 mAh, removable (BV-T5A) | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange, green, white, black | Matte cyan, Orange, Black, Matte white, Glossy white |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | 1.38 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -94.4dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 59h
|
Endurance rating 74h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1119:1 (nominal), 3.065 (sunlight) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -94.4dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 59h | Endurance rating 74h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1119:1 (nominal), 3.065 (sunlight) |
Nokia Lumia 735
- Compact design
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- Decent front-facing camera (5MP)
- Shorter battery life
- Lower screen contrast
- Less detailed rear camera (8MP)
Microsoft Lumia 640 XL
- Excellent battery life (74h)
- Superior sunlight readability
- Higher resolution rear camera (13MP)
- Larger display
- Larger size may not suit everyone
- Performance is basic
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display, but the Lumia 640 XL boasts a significantly better contrast ratio, particularly in direct sunlight (3.065 vs unspecified for the 735). This makes the 640 XL's screen more visible and enjoyable to use outdoors. The 735's screen is adequate, but lacks the same level of clarity and vibrancy.
Camera Comparison
The Lumia 735 typically features a 5MP front-facing camera and an 8MP rear camera with autofocus. The Lumia 640 XL has a 5MP front-facing camera and a 13MP rear camera. While both offer decent image quality for their time, the 640 XL's higher resolution rear camera generally produces more detailed photos, especially in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is expected to be similar on both.
Performance
Both devices share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset and a 1.2 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU. Performance will be largely similar for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds, but both phones are capable of handling basic usage.
Battery Life
This is where the Lumia 640 XL truly shines. It boasts an endurance rating of 74 hours, significantly surpassing the Lumia 735's 59 hours. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the 640 XL, making it a better choice for users who need their phone to last through a full day or more.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 735 is a good option for users prioritizing a slightly more compact design and wireless charging. The Microsoft Lumia 640 XL is ideal for those needing extended battery life and a larger screen for media consumption and productivity, especially in bright conditions.
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 if found at a very low price. However, consider the lack of software updates and potential security vulnerabilities.
❓ Which phone has better call quality?
Call quality is generally similar on both devices, as both utilize the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset. Network reception will be the primary factor affecting call quality.
