Microsoft has today launched the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL smartphones. These are yet more reinforcements for the Windows Phone low-to-mid range ranks and it looks like they are all we will see from Microsoft, as far as new mobiles go, at MWC. The phones are very similar except, as you might guess from the name, the 'XL' model is bigger, with a bigger battery, and it also sports a significantly better main and front camera pairing.
Microsoft Lumia 640
The Lumia 640 is a 5-inch IPS ClearBlack 720 x 1,280 screened smartphone. It is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor running at 1.2GHz. The phone sports 1GB of RAM and 8GB of built-in storage which can be expanded with a MicroSD card up to 128GB in size. While we are on the topic of user swappable components, the 2,500mAh battery is replaceable and is easily accessed when you pop off the exchangeable back cover.
Other key hardware specs include connectivity via 2G/3G/LTE (microSIM), USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, BT 4.0 and NFC. The smartphone has built-in A-GLONASS and A-GPS to aid navigation services. The main camera is an 8MP unit with f/2.2 lens and 28mm focal length supported by a dynamic LED flash. The front facing camera is a 0.9MP Skype compatible unit. The Lumia 640 supports the popular, convenient Glance Screen feature.
Looking at the construction of the Lumia 640 it measures 141 x 72 x 8.8mm and weighs 145g. The multi-touch screen is protected with Gorilla Glass 3.
Microsoft promises the Windows Phone 8.1 OS with Lumia Denim will be upgradable to Windows 10. On the software side of things this smartphone also boasts Live Folders, the Action Centre, Cortana, HERE navigation apps and the Word Flow keyboard. Microsoft has started to release its smartphones, like tablets, with 1 year subscriptions to Office 365 (Personal) included.
Pricing will be around 159 euros for LTE and just 139 euros for 3G/Dual SIM before taxes and subsidies. The Lumia 640 will start its global rollout in April.
Microsoft Lumia 640 XL
As mentioned in the intro the Lumia 640 XL is basically the same smartphone as its little brother. However the bigger 5.7-inch screened device here also sports a larger 3,000mAh battery. It measures 158 x 81.5 x 9mm thick and weighs in at 171g.
Microsoft has chosen to significantly upgrade the imaging capabilities of this larger smartphone. It sports a 13MP main camera with f/2.0 Zeiss optics and 1/3-inch back side illuminated sensor. The front facing camera is a 5MP wide angle f/2.4 unit.
With the size, battery capacity and camera upgrades comes a price hike. The Lumia 640 XL will be priced at EUR 189 for the 3G models and EUR 219 for the LTE model, before taxes and subsidies. Global rollout begins later this month.
