Nokia Lumia 635
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“Low-cost Windows Phones are excellent choices for first-time smartphone users who aren't obsessed with the latest apps and social networks. In exchange for a few missing apps, you get a much better-looking phone than same-price Android devices, with access to T-Mobile's super-speedy LTE network. So far, so good.But there are a few major caveats. That lack of a front-facing camera will be a deal breaker for many. To get a decent front-facing camera and LTE in a current phone on T-Mobile, you need to make a big price jump up to the excellent Moto G for $219. You'll lose the expandable memory, but you'll gain the more mainstream world of Android apps.”
“No, you don't get a front camera or flash on the back, but the $168 Nokia Lumia 635 is a solid choice for the price. This Windows Phone delivers smooth performance, long battery life and a surprisingly lovely display. The 5-MP camera isn't great, but Nokia's suite of camera apps helps make the best of it.Prefer Android to Windows Phone? Shoppers should check out the $150 Alcatel One Touch Fierce, which is slimmer and lighter than the Lumia with a brighter display. You'll also benefit from a much bigger app selection. But if you're willing to take Microsoft's user-friendly and fun interface for a spin, the Lumia 635 will satisfy.”
“It’s a very basic phone that meets almost all the requirements of a modern smartphone user (reminder: NO front-facing camera). But the 625′s 4G capabilities and its low price make it something more than just another satisfactory phone. They make it a good buy.”
“Making a phone overseas is one thing, but making one for the US is totally another. So, how did Nokia improve upon the Nokia Lumia 630? Well, they’ve outfitted the Lumia 635, a subtle variant of the aforementioned phone, with good ‘ol 4G LTE connectivity. At the same time, the Windows Phone 8.1 powered device sees improvements to its call quality to really deepen its worth for the budget-conscious consumer.Lumia 635 is attached with an amazing price point that makes it a bargain however way we dissect it. Specifically, T-Mobile is selling the phone for $0 down and $7 per month for 24 months through its Simple Choice Plan – giving it a total price point of $168. Furthermore, the handset is being offered at the promotional price of $99 through MetroPCS. Frankly, the price point alone is an aggressive one that undoubtedly adds more value to its package.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
The Nokia Lumia 635 bundles entry-level hardware and 4G LTE in an affordable, brightly colored package. Users can easily change the color of their removable back panel to green, orange, yellow, white or black. Despite being priced in the budget range, experts point out that the polycarbonate shell is incredibly sturdy and doesn’t creak or flex under pressure.
At 4.5 inches, the display is relatively small when compared to other phones like the OnePlus One but bigger doesn’t always mean better. In fact, TechRadar states, “the Nokia Lumia 635’s screen is very close to optimal in terms of balance between single-handed usability and widescreen media clarity.” While the screen might be high in usability, it unfortunately falls flat in other areas. With a resolution of only 854×480, reviewers note a lack of sharpness in text and images when compared to other similarly priced budget phones. In addition, it does not offer the super sensitive touch display, which means users cannot operate the phone with gloves on. Despite some drawbacks, reviewers are quick to point out that the resolution is perfectly adequate for every day usage and the IPS and ClearBlack technology offers excellent viewing angles and outdoor legibility.
While the internal specs of the Lumia 635 cannot rival flagship phones, it does offer a modest 1.2GHz quad-core processor paired with 512MB of RAM. On paper, the specs seem fairly unimpressive but when actually tested out, reviewers were surprised with its smooth performance when scrolling through menus and opening apps. Unfortunately, they also noticed significant freeze-ups and stutters during more intensive tasks like installing multiple apps or playing graphics-heavy games. Internal storage is also very limited to only 8GB, though there is an expandable microSD slot.
On the back of the phone is a standard 5MP camera. CNET states that, “It’s not a phone for the dedicated photographer, but Instagram snaps will be fine.” In general, reviewers found picture quality fairly adequate and, due to lack of flash, low light pictures fairly grainy. Unlike many other recent smartphones, the Lumia 635 does not come with a front-facing camera.
Despite some issues, most reviewers would recommend the Nokia Lumia 635. Wired says, “The Nokia Lumia 635 is a solidly built workhorse of a phone…” Slashgear adds, “Nokia…has another winner on their hands on the low end.”
What people actually want to know
How do I transfer photos from my Nokia Lumia 635 to my computer?
Recommended Method: OneDrive (Most Reliable)
- On your Lumia 635, go to Settings > OneDrive and sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Enable Camera Roll auto-upload to automatically sync photos to OneDrive.
- On your laptop, sign into OneDrive.com and download your photos.
Alternative Method: USB Cable
- Connect your phone to your laptop with a compatible USB cable.
- Unlock your phone when prompted.
- Open File Explorer on your laptop. Your phone appears under “Portable Devices” as “Windows Phone.”
- Navigate to the Pictures folder and drag photos to your laptop.
If USB Doesn’t Work: Try a different USB cable or port. If your laptop doesn’t recognize the phone, download the latest USB drivers from Microsoft or your device manufacturer. Modern Windows 10/11 systems may need updated drivers for the Lumia 635.
How do I increase the number of rings before voicemail on Nokia Lumia 635?
The ring duration on your Nokia Lumia 635 is controlled by your mobile carrier, not the phone itself. To increase the number of rings before calls go to voicemail, try these options:
Option 1: Use a carrier code
- Open your phone dialer
- Enter: **61*[voicemail number]**[seconds]#
- Press Call
Replace [voicemail number] with your carrier’s voicemail number (include country code). Replace [seconds] with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 seconds. Example: **61*3538751234567**30#
Option 2: Contact your carrier
Call customer service and request an increase in ring time before voicemail. Some carriers may have maximum limits.
Alternative solution: If you can’t extend ring time, change to a louder or more distinctive ringtone in Settings > Ringtones+Sounds to ensure you hear incoming calls.
Note: Ring time availability and maximum duration vary by carrier and network.
When was the Nokia Lumia 635 released?
The Nokia Lumia 635 was released on July 3, 2014.
How long does the battery last on the Nokia Lumia 635?
The Nokia Lumia 635 has a 1,830 mAh battery.
Does the Nokia Lumia 635 support wireless charging?
No, the Nokia Lumia 635 does not support wireless charging.
Does the Nokia Lumia 635 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Nokia Lumia 635 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Nokia Lumia 635 have NFC?
No, the Nokia Lumia 635 does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I download the Nokia Lumia 635 manual?
You can view and download the Nokia Lumia 635 manual on our dedicated manual page.
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You need to reset your phone to factory settings before you can change the Microsoft account on your phone.To reset your phone:1. Go to Settings > About 2. Tap Reset your phone 3. Tap Yes to confirm 4. Once the reset is done, you can add your new Microsoft account.Note: Don't forget to backup your phone's content before doing the reset