Price and specifications of Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build

The Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE boasts a design that is both practical and stylish. With dimensions of 157.9 x 81.5 x 9 mm and weighing in at 171 grams, it strikes a balance between being substantial in hand yet not overly bulky. The device is designed with a micro-SIM slot and is available in a variety of colors including Matte cyan, Orange, Black, Matte white, and Glossy white. The choice of materials and colors gives it a vibrant and user-friendly feel, which remained consistent with the Lumia brand's identity.

Display

The Lumia 640 XL LTE is equipped with a large 5.7-inch IPS LCD display, making it an attractive choice for media consumers who enjoy watching videos or playing games on their devices. The screen offers a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 259 ppi. This ensures that text and images are rendered clearly. Furthermore, the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, providing a durable barrier against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance and Hardware

Powering the Lumia 640 XL LTE is the Qualcomm MSM8226 Snapdragon 400 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and an Adreno 305 GPU. While this setup won't compete with today's high-end devices, it offered ample processing power for everyday tasks and modest gaming at the time of its release. The device includes 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, which is expandable via a dedicated microSDXC slot.

Camera Capabilities

The Lumia 640 XL LTE features a 13 MP primary camera equipped with Zeiss optics, an aperture of f/2.0, and autofocus. This enables users to capture high-quality images with good detail, especially in well-lit conditions. An LED flash is included to assist in low-light environments. The phone can record 1080p video at 30fps. On the front, it houses a 5 MP selfie camera, which is also capable of 1080p video recording.

Battery Life

A significant feature of the Lumia 640 XL LTE is its removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery. The battery life is robust, providing up to 888 hours of standby time on both 2G and 3G networks. Talk time is equally impressive, offering up to 30 hours and 20 minutes on 2G and up to 24 hours on 3G. These specifications make the device suitable for users who require long-lasting power throughout the day.

Software and Operating System

Originally shipped with Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, the Lumia 640 XL LTE was designed to support an upgrade to Microsoft Windows 10, allowing users to benefit from improved functionality and a broader app ecosystem. The device's operating system was a gateway to Microsoft's suite of services, offering integration with products like Office and OneDrive, which enhanced productivity for business and casual users alike.

Connectivity and Communication

In terms of connectivity, the Lumia 640 XL LTE was well-equipped. It supported GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, providing versatile mobile connectivity. The phone came with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (supporting DLNA and hotspot), Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS, and an FM radio. It also included NFC, which facilitated wireless transactions and easy pairing with other NFC-enabled devices. The microUSB 2.0 port was used for charging and data transfer.

Audio and Sound Quality

The device offered decent audio quality through its loudspeaker and 3.5mm headphone jack, which remained a staple for many users who preferred wired headphones. The sound tests indicated voice levels at 72dB, noise levels at 67dB, and ringer levels at 73dB. The audio output was satisfactory for both media consumption and calls, with a noise level of -93.0dB and crosstalk at -94.4dB.

Sensors and Additional Features

The Lumia 640 XL LTE was equipped with practical sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, compass, and sensor core. These sensors empowered various features and apps, like step counting and basic navigation. The device's integration with Microsoft's ecosystem provided additional value through apps like Cortana, Microsoft's digital assistant.

Price and Market Position

At launch, the Lumia 640 XL LTE was priced at approximately 200 EUR. It was aimed at the mid-tier market, targeting users who sought the functionality of a smartphone without a premium price tag. The combination of decent performance, a quality camera, and strong battery life made it an appealing choice for a wide range of consumers, from students to professionals.