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Microsoft Lumia 640 review

7.7/10 AVG.
RATING
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Microsoft Lumia 640
Microsoft Lumia 640
Microsoft Lumia 640
Microsoft Lumia 640
Microsoft Lumia 640
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7.7/10
Informr score
The Microsoft Lumia 640 currently has an Informr score of 7.7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 20 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Price
  • Solid mid-tier performance
  • Storage expansion with microSD
  • Dual SIM variants in select markets

What's bad

  • Weak front-facing camera
  • Slippery grip

With the latest entry in their mid-tier Lumia series, Microsoft hopes to address some of the complaints of the previous 630 series. With improved stats and some slight design tweaks, the phone appears to offer a competent option for those looking for a Windows Phone at an affordable price. Do the specs match its performance? Let’s check out the reviews!

The 640 features the same unibody design as previous models. It’s high-grade polycarbonate shell received mixed reviews on grip but all agreed that it looks great and offers a rugged, well-built feel in the hand. Available in multiple colors and matte or glossy finishes, it offers plenty of options to make the phone appealing. Many reviews noted that the glossy shells were prone to fingerprints. Expert Reviews UK spent some time with the handset and noted, “Its sturdy unibody design is comfortable to hold and its angular edges give you plenty of grip.”

The phone sports a 5-inch 720p IPS LCD screen. Many reviewers were blown away by the contrast and color range offered by the display, second guessing if it was an IPS or OLED display. While the resolution is certainly well below flagship models, it is fitting for a mid-tier device. With the tile-based Windows Phone interface, reviews report it offers plenty of clarity and detail for easy operation. Expert Reviews UK called the display, “Easily a cut above any other budget smartphone panel we've seen in recent months.”

Power the Lumia 640, you’ll find 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 with 1GB of RAM. While these specs might be a bit lackluster in the Android or iOS market, it appears to be plenty of power to keep the Windows Phone experience running smoothly. With an update to Windows 10 promised from Microsoft, performance should only improve. Expert Reviews UK found it “Felt very quick and snappy when we were scrolling through the phone's Start screen and various menu settings.”

With 8GB of internal storage, the handset offers a fair amount of storage out of the box. If you plan to store media for on-the-go enjoyment or install a lot of large apps, you should count on expanding with a microSD card. Fortunately, support for up to 128GB cards means you can double or quadruple the storage on the phone for an affordable price.

As with most Lumia devices, the cameras on the 640 receive good reviews. The rear camera appears to handle lighting well and produce respectable results for an 8MP shooter. Unfortunately, if you’re a fan of selfies or video chat, the 1MP wide-angle front-facing chat and selfie camera was less popular. Notebook Review called it “grainy and inaccurate” while many other reviews found weak low-light performance and general shortcomings.

To keep everything running, Microsoft went with a 2,500mAh battery. While Microsoft claims all day battery life, reviews were vague on what to expect. However, with the specs listed, a day of moderate usage should be no problem. Heavy users might look for an external battery pack or keep a charger on hand. For a limited time, Microsoft plans to offer a free year of Microsoft Office 365 and 1TB of OneDrive storage, if you’re a fan of either service, this makes the already affordable phone a steal.

Overall, the phone received great reviews. While Windows Phone is still struggling to find a foothold in the market, Microsoft continues to offer compelling options for fans of the ecosystem. Trusted Reviews summed up the phone well, stating, “It's got the makings of a solid, affordable 5-inch Android alternative.”


Windows Phone
Operating system
Operating system
Windows Phone
1.2 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.2 GHz
5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
2500 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


What Mobile
What Mobile

Microsoft has managed a very impressive feat with the Lumia 640. They’ve successfully fixed all the shortcomings which tainted the original 635 and managed to keep it within the same price bracket. There’s little to be disappointed about here apart from the uninspiring design and slightl...

- Thomas Wellburn, What Mobile
PCWorld
PCWorld

By that metric, you may find yourself quite willing to put up with any quirks that the Lumia 640 offers. I will argue stridently that you’ll enjoy the Lumia 830 more. But in the midrange phone space, price can be a major sticking point. In that regard, Microsoft’s staunchly midrange Lumi...

- Mark Hachman, PCWorld
Pocketnow
Pocketnow

A very capable midrange Windows Phone with an attractive price.

- Adam Z. Lein, Pocketnow
PhoneArena
PhoneArena

Everyone is eagerly awaiting for the next-gen Lumia smartphone, the one that’s specs heavy, feature-rich, and heavy handed against the competition. Well, we’re going to have to wait longer because the Microsoft Lumia 640 isn’t that handset. Rather, it’s on the other side of t...

- John V., PhoneArena
Phonedog
Phonedog

Microsoft has done well releasing mid and low-end phones over the past couple of years. It has cemented itself as a solid option for the budget-conscious smartphone buyer. With the Lumia 640, that reputation is even stronger. This is an incredible phone for its price point. It performs admirably and...

- Cam Bunton, Phonedog


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Microsoft Lumia 640 user manual here.


Microsoft backs up the Lumia 640 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Lumia 640 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Microsoft support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Microsoft's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
5"

The Microsoft Lumia 640's screen size is 5 inches with 720 x 1280 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.2 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Quad core 1.2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system (OS).

Camera
8+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 8+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera useful for video chat and self portraits.

Storage
8 GB

Internal memory is 8 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
2500mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2500 mAh battery. Microsoft's performance ratings are 1590 minutes, 648 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Lumia 640 Specs

Overview
Release Date April 30, 2015
Regions Available USA, United Kingdom
Operating System Windows Phone 8.1

Compare Windows Phone Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Quad core 1.2 GHz
Internal Storage 8 GB
RAM 1 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 1.43 W/kg
Body: 0.68 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery, Headset
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Micro-SIM
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
4x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
0.9 Megapixels
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Pixel Density 294 pixels
Size 5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touchscreen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2500 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 516 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 648 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1590 minutes
Standby Time Up to 36 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Cyan, Orange, Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.1 x 7.2 x 0.9 cm (5.6 x 2.8 x 0.4 in)
Weight 145 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):

Also available in a dual-SIM model.

Related Links Manual (PDF)
Microsoft Lumia 640 Reviews
Where to buy Microsoft Lumia 640
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