While the spec sheet of both the devices looks more or less the same, it is when you delve into the details that you realize that Microsoft just released a lower mid-range phablet: the Lumia 640XL. Now that's a first for the company and a welcome one at that.
Also a first is the fact that Microsoft's all new phablet comes equipped with Carl Zeiss optics, something that was earlier reserved for Nokia's high-end phones.
It's no doubt that the company has our attention with its new launches. Here's everything you must know about Microsoft's Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL handsets:
Design
Lumia 640Both the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL sport the familiar Lumia design aesthetics and stick to the script with minute changes that are hard to discern unless you observe very carefully. Both the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL look more or less identical in terms of design and it's hard to discern between the two if it weren't the size difference.
The funky and colorful design that we see on the existing Lumia phones continues unabashedly with both the devices. The plastic shells continue in case of both, only that this time round you have the option of choosing between glossy/matte variants depending upon your taste.
Lumia 640XLThe subtle changes in the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL include straighter and cleaner lines on the back unlike the overly rounded sides found on previous Lumias.
Owing to the size difference the Lumia 640XL weighs more than the Lumia 640.
Lumia 640: 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8 mm (5.56 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) 145 g
Lumia 640XL: 157.9 x 81.5 x 9 mm (6.22 x 3.21 x 0.35 in) 171 g
Display
Lumia 640The Lumia 640 features a 5-inch HD IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display with a 720x1280 pixels resolution that roughly translates to 294 ppi. The Lumia 640XL on the other hand comes with a larger display at 5.7-inches, however, it retains the same display resolution of 720x1280 pixels. Being larger obviously compromises on the pixel density then. The Lumia 640XL has a pixel density of 259 ppi.
The Lumia 640 should ideally be brighter and crisper than the larger Lumia 640XL in terms of display output.
Lumia 640: 5-inch HD IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen 720x1280 pixels (~294 ppi) Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Lumia 640XL: 5.7-inch HD IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen 720x1280 pixels (~259 ppi) Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Performance
Both the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL are powered by the same 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU with Adreno 305 GPU alongside 1GB RAM.
In terms of hardware specs, both the Lumia 640 and the Lumia 640XL look well equipped to take on the competition, at least on paper. That said the Lumia 640XL is expected to be a mid-ranger, therefore we would have liked Microsoft to maybe bump up the CPU a bit to stay ahead in the game.
Also, concerns still remain about the Windows 8.1 OS and availability of apps for the platform.
Lumia 640: 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU with Adreno 305 GPU 1GB RAM, 8GB with up to 128GB expandable
Lumia 640XL: 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU with Adreno 305 GPU 1GB RAM, 8GB with up to 128GB expandable
Software
Both the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL run Windows Phone 8.1 out-of-the-box with the latest Lumia Denim update. They will be updated to Windows 10 when the new operating system officially hits the shelves in the last quarter of this year.
Also the fact that the devices come with 1GB RAM means users would be able to get most features of Windows 10 up and running on them without much hiccups.
Lumia 640: Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim
Lumia 640XL: Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim
Camera
Lumia 640XLThis is the key area that distinguishes the Lumia 640XL from the Lumia 640 after the display size difference. The Lumia 640XL phablet comes with a 13MP rear camera with Carl Zeiss optics, something that we have grown to associate with high-end Nokia smartphones. The arrival of the feature on a lower mid-ranger like the Lumia 640XL courtesy Microsoft is indeed a stepping stone for the company. To add to the grand scheme of things, the Lumia 640XL also includes a 5MP front camera. Both the cameras on-board the 640XL can shoot 1080p videos.
The Lumia 640 on the other hand comes with a standard 8MP front camera that can record 1080p videos @30fps. It sports a 1MP front camera that can shoot 720p videos.
Lumia 640: Rear: 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash, 1080p@30fps
Front: 1 MP, 720p
Lumia 640XL: Rear: 13 MP, 4128 x 3096 pixels, Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, LED flash, 1080p@30fps
Front: 5 MP, 1080p
Battery
Lumia 640While the larger Lumia 640XL phablet decks in a 3000 mAh battery, the Lumia 640 is backed by a 2500 mAh battery. Considering the fact that both the devices run the same processor and have the same display resolution, it is little surprising why Microsoft decided to bump up the battery in the Lumia 640XL. It's obviously trying to stay head of the game by beefing it up with a larger battery to ascertain its 'phablet' specifics. Ideally, the phablet is likely to give you a better battery life but we still believe a slightly bumped up processor would have done a better job in making it count in the longer run.
Lumia 640: Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery
Lumia 640XL: Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery
Value
Lumia 640Both the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL are mainstream affordable Microsoft offerings. While the Lumia 640 is expected to be priced around the Rs.9,000 mark, the Lumia 640XL will most likely tap the lower mid-range segment.
The company has announced that both the handsets will come in 3G and 4G variants. The Lumia 640 will be priced at Euros 139 (3G) and Euros 159 (4G). Meanwhile, the Lumia 640XL will be priced at Euros 189 (3G) and Euros 219 (4G).
Buyers in India will see the handsets hitting the retail shelves as early as April, 2015.
Lumia 640: Glossy cyan, Orange, White, Matte black
Lumia 640XL: Matte cyan, Orange, Black, Matte white, Glossy white
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