MWC – Microsoft announce the Lumia 640 and 640 XL

MWC   Microsoft announce the Lumia 640 and 640 XL

Earlier on today we were at the Microsoft event where Stephen Elop and co announced the Lumia 640, the 640 XL and a bluetooth keyboard that actually works with Windows Phone. At the time details about the devices were sparse. We’ve since had the official press release and a few minutes hands on with both devices. So let’s have a look at the devices.

Lumia 640

The Lumia 640 is a mid range 5″ device that is basically an updated Lumia 635 with 1GB of RAM to better cope when Windows 10 arrives. It has replaceable shells similar to the Lumia 620 and it is available in single or dual SIM and also 3G or 4G variants. the 720p display seemed really quite good and it felt really quite nice in the hand.

MWC   Microsoft announce the Lumia 640 and 640 XL

Specifications

Operating system Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim
HERE location services Free global HERE Maps and HERE Drive+Free HERE Transit available in the Store
Display 5” HD (1280×720, 16:9) IPS LCD, 294 PPI, Glance screen Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Sunlight readability enhancements
Battery 2500 mAh battery
Processor 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
Main camera 8 MP AF, LED Flash, Lumia Camera 5
Front facing camera 1 MP FF
Memory 8GB + 30GB free OneDrive, micro SD up to 128GB
Dimensions 144 g

Microsoft have published a video on their YouTube channel.

http://youtu.be/9aBXxSxuYx8

I got some pictures of a bright orange Lumia 640

As regards price and availability Microsoft had the following to say:

The Lumia 640 will begin a global rollout in April. Pricing will vary by market and operator, but is estimated to be around EUR 139 for the 3G model and EUR 159 for the LTE model, before taxes and subsidies.

Lumia 640 XL

The Lumia 640 XL is the larger version of the 640, it basically is the same spec as the 640, but with an improved 13MP Zeiss lense. The shell is replaceable and the 5.7″ 720p display amazingly doesn’t look as bad as you’d expect, in actual fact it is really rather nice. The feel in the hand is more angular and sharp though thanks to some nice angles on the back.

MWC   Microsoft announce the Lumia 640 and 640 XL

Specifications

Operating system Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim
HERE location services Free global HERE Maps and HERE Drive+Free HERE Transit available in the Store
Display 5.7” HD (1280×720, 16:9) IPS, 259 PPI, ClearBlack, Glance Screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Sunlight readability enhancements
Battery 3000 mAh battery
Processor 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
Main camera 13 MP AF, ZEISS optics, Lumia Camera
Front facing camera 5 MP wide angle FF
Memory 8GB + 30GB free OneDrive, micro SD up to 128GB
Dimensions 171g

Microsoft have a video for the Lumia 640 XL as well:

http://youtu.be/GTARu0YOl-E

I got some hands on time with the Lumia 640 XL as well:

As regards price and availability they have said the following:

Lumia 640 XL will also be available as a single-SIM 3G variant. Pricing will vary by market and operator; Lumia 640 is estimated to be around 139 euros for the 3G model and 159 euros for the LTE model, before taxes and subsidies. Lumia 640 XL will be around 189 euros for 3G and 219 euros for LTE, before taxes and subsidies.

Microsoft also announced a bluetooth keyboard that will work with Windows Phone which is a first, whether this is going to be a Windows 10 thing or not remains to be seen. It folds in half, it works with any OS and it feels really quite nice to type on. Anyhow here are some shots of it.

Overall it was a shame not to see a new flagship from Microsoft, it would have been an ideal time to announce a new flagship……… Although saying that these two new phones should capture the imagination of new users wanting something a little unique.