Nokia and Microsoft both produced compelling budget Windows Phones. The Lumia 735 and 650 offered a taste of the Windows experience without breaking the bank. But which one ultimately delivers a better experience? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia Lumia 735 edges out the Lumia 650 thanks to its slightly better battery life and wireless charging. While both are aging devices, the 735's extra features provide a marginally more complete package for those seeking a functional Windows Phone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - RM-1039 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - RM-1039 | 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 |
| | 3, 7, 20 - RM-1038 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, September | 2016, February. Released 2016, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 134.7 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm (5.30 x 2.70 x 0.35 in) | 142 x 70.9 x 6.9 mm (5.59 x 2.79 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 134 g (4.73 oz) | 122 g (4.30 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 (~297 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 67.5 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | OLED |
| | ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8909v2 Snapdragon 212 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 304 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 6.7 MP (6.1 MP effective), 1/3.4", AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE/ aptX after WP8 Denim update | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) | - |
| Music play | Up to 60 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 600 h | Up to 624 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (2G) / Up to 17 h (3G) | Up to 16 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2200 mAh, removable (BV-T5A) | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange, green, white, black | Black, White |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 150 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 |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 59h
|
Endurance rating 55h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.77(sunlight) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 59h | Endurance rating 55h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.77(sunlight) |
Nokia Lumia 735
- Slightly better battery life
- Wireless charging
- Potentially more features in camera app
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 400)
- Older design
- Display contrast not as impressive
Microsoft Lumia 650
- Compact design
- Potentially better display contrast in sunlight
- Slightly faster CPU
- Shorter battery life
- No wireless charging
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 212)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar sized displays, but the Lumia 650 boasts a reported 'infinite' contrast ratio (though realistically around 3.77 in sunlight), suggesting potentially better image quality. The Lumia 735's display is adequate but lacks the same level of contrast. Viewing angles are likely comparable on both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature rear cameras, but the Lumia 735 has a slight edge in terms of features, potentially including more shooting modes. Image quality on both will be decent for daylight shots, but low-light performance will be limited. Video recording capabilities are likely comparable.
Performance
The Lumia 650 has a slightly faster CPU (1.3 GHz vs 1.2 GHz) on the Cortex-A7 architecture. However, the Snapdragon 212 chipset in the 650 is a less powerful chip overall compared to the Snapdragon 400 in the 735. Real-world performance will likely be similar, with both phones struggling with demanding tasks. Expect adequate performance for basic apps and web browsing.
Battery Life
The Lumia 735 holds a slight advantage with an endurance rating of 59 hours compared to the Lumia 650's 55 hours. This translates to slightly longer battery life in typical usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia Lumia 735? Users prioritizing battery life and wireless charging, and those who appreciate a slightly more feature-rich experience. Who should buy the Microsoft Lumia 650? Those seeking a more compact device with a potentially slightly better display contrast in direct sunlight, and who value a cleaner, more minimalist design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
Given their age and lack of software updates, these phones are best suited for users who specifically need a Windows Phone or are looking for a very basic, inexpensive device. Don't expect modern app compatibility or security updates.
❓ Which phone has better build quality?
The Lumia 650 generally has a more premium feel with its aluminum frame, while the Lumia 735 has a more plastic construction. However, both are reasonably well-built for their price range.
