Nokia Lumia 640 Review: A Balanced Windows Phone from 2015
The Nokia Lumia 640 arrived in 2015 as a practical mid-range smartphone for buyers who wanted a large, capable screen without paying flagship prices. It carried Nokia’s familiar design language while operating under Microsoft’s mobile strategy, making it one of the last widely remembered Lumia phones before Windows 10 Mobile became the central focus.
Its appeal came from balance rather than headline specifications. A 5-inch HD display, quad-core Snapdragon processor, 8-megapixel camera, generous battery, and optional dual-SIM support gave the handset a strong everyday feature set. In India, where battery life, expandable storage, and affordable pricing mattered greatly, the Lumia 640 had a clear place in the market.
The phone also represented an interesting point in smartphone history. Android manufacturers were competing through specification-heavy devices, while the Lumia range relied on a clean interface, colourful polycarbonate bodies, and dependable camera performance. The 640 was not designed to defeat premium phones, but it aimed to make Windows Phone feel complete at a more accessible price.
Design And Build Quality
The Lumia 640 used a rounded polycarbonate shell that felt sturdy and comfortable in the hand. Its removable rear cover came in colours such as orange, cyan, black, and white, continuing the bright visual identity associated with Nokia Lumia devices. The finish was practical, resisting the fingerprints and fragile glass surfaces common on more expensive phones.
With a thickness of about 8.8mm and a weight close to 145 grams, the handset was easy to carry despite its 5-inch display. The curved edges helped it sit naturally in the palm, while the separate volume, power, and camera keys gave the side frame a reassuringly tactile feel. It lacked the metal construction of premium rivals, yet the plastic body was better suited to daily knocks and replacement covers.
The removable back also exposed the battery, microSD slot, and SIM area. That flexibility was valuable in 2015, particularly for users who stored music, videos, photos, and offline maps on a memory card. Buyers could choose between single-SIM and dual-SIM editions, depending on the market and carrier configuration.
A Clear 5-Inch HD Display
The 5-inch IPS LCD screen offered a 1280 x 720-pixel resolution, producing a pixel density of roughly 294 pixels per inch. It was not a Full HD panel, but text looked sharp enough for messaging, browsing, and navigation. Windows Phone’s tile-based interface also made good use of the display, with bright colours and high-contrast typography.
Viewing angles were respectable, and outdoor readability was acceptable when brightness was raised. The screen did not deliver the deep blacks of an AMOLED panel, but its natural colour balance suited photographs and everyday applications. For a mid-range handset, the panel felt appropriately spacious without making the phone awkwardly large.
The display was protected by Gorilla Glass 3, adding resistance against everyday scratches. Touch response was generally reliable, and the 5-inch size made the Lumia 640 more comfortable for typing than smaller budget phones. Users who preferred compact devices still had smaller alternatives, but the 640 offered a useful middle ground.
Everyday Performance And Connectivity
Power came from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 400 platform, using a quad-core 1.2GHz Cortex-A7 processor and Adreno 305 graphics. The 1GB of RAM was modest by modern standards, but Windows Phone 8.1 was carefully optimised and usually felt smooth during ordinary tasks. Menus opened quickly, animations remained consistent, and basic multitasking was more predictable than the specifications might suggest.
The phone included 8GB of internal storage, although the operating system left less space available to the user. Fortunately, microSD expansion allowed storage of up to around 128GB, depending on the card and software support. This was a major benefit for customers who wanted to keep a large music library or install offline navigation data.
| Feature | Nokia Lumia 640 specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 5-inch IPS LCD, 1280 x 720 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, quad-core 1.2GHz |
| RAM and storage | 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage |
| Expandable storage | microSD support, up to approximately 128GB |
| Rear camera | 8MP autofocus camera with LED flash |
| Front camera | 1MP wide-angle camera |
| Battery | 2500mAh removable battery |
| Software | Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim |
| Network options | 3G or 4G LTE, depending on model |
| SIM options | Single-SIM and dual-SIM variants |
The Lumia 640 was sold in 3G and 4G LTE versions, so network compatibility was important when purchasing an imported unit. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and FM radio covered the expected connectivity features. NFC availability varied by model, and buyers needed to check the precise regional specification rather than rely on the general product name.
Camera Quality And Battery Life
The 8-megapixel rear camera was one of the phone’s stronger features. It used autofocus, a wide f/2.2 aperture, and an LED flash, producing attractive daylight images with pleasant colour and reasonable detail. Microsoft’s camera software offered manual controls that allowed users to adjust exposure, ISO, shutter speed, and focus more freely than many competing budget phones.
In bright conditions, the Lumia 640 could capture landscapes, documents, and social-media photographs with confidence. Low-light results were less impressive, with visible noise and slower focusing, but the camera remained useful for casual photography. It also benefited from the image-processing approach inherited from Nokia’s imaging work, even though it did not have the advanced optics found on Lumia PureView models.
The 1MP front-facing camera was adequate for video calls and simple selfies. It was not intended for high-resolution portrait photography, but the wide angle helped fit two people into a frame. Video recording from the rear camera was suitable for everyday clips, though this was not a handset aimed at serious mobile videographers.
A removable 2500mAh battery gave the Lumia 640 dependable endurance. Moderate users could often reach a full day and sometimes longer, while heavier use involving mobile data, navigation, and video reduced that margin. The HD display and efficient Windows Phone software helped conserve power. The ability to replace the battery was especially useful for travellers and long-term owners.
Windows Phone Software Experience
The Lumia 640 launched with Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Denim, a mature version of Microsoft’s tile-based operating system. Live Tiles displayed weather, messages, calendar events, and social updates directly on the Start screen. This made the interface feel more personal and informative than a grid of static icons.
The system was quick to learn, with a simple app list, a unified settings area, and useful features such as a strong keyboard, HERE Maps navigation, and Microsoft Office integration. Cortana was available in selected regions, while OneDrive made it easy to synchronise documents and photographs across Microsoft devices.
App availability remained the central weakness. Popular services were present, but some received updates later than their Android and iOS equivalents, and several niche apps were missing. Windows Phone’s smooth performance could not fully compensate for the smaller application ecosystem. This distinction is important when comparing the Lumia 640 with Android phones that offered similar hardware.
Microsoft later made the Windows 10 Mobile upgrade available for selected Lumia models, including the 640 family. The updated system added a more unified design and improved Microsoft Edge, although it also introduced occasional performance and compatibility concerns. Buyers examining the platform’s history can browse the site’s mobile reviews for broader context on phones from the same period.
Value In The Indian Market
The Lumia 640 made sense in India because it combined brand familiarity, dual-SIM flexibility, expandable storage, and dependable battery life. Its price varied by version and retailer, with LTE models generally costing more than 3G editions. At launch-era pricing, it competed with Android phones from Motorola, Xiaomi, Lenovo, Samsung, and Micromax.
Android alternatives often delivered more RAM, higher-resolution displays, or broader app support. The Lumia answered with a cleaner interface and strong build quality. Its camera controls and navigation tools were additional advantages for users who valued photography and travel features over benchmark scores.
The dual-SIM version was particularly relevant for Indian customers managing personal and work numbers. Windows Phone handled calls and messages from both lines in a reasonably clear manner, while Microsoft’s interface kept the separate accounts visible without making the experience overly complicated.
When reviewing older compact and mid-range devices, it helps to separate meaningful usability from branding claims. The discussion around the Galaxy S4 Mini illustrates how a familiar flagship name can shape expectations, while the Lumia 640 was more straightforward about its position as an affordable all-rounder.
Buying Recommendations For Different Users
A used Lumia 640 can still be interesting as a historical Windows Phone, a secondary handset, or a simple music and calling device. Its screen, removable battery, colourful shell, and expandable storage remain practical, but software support and app compatibility limit its usefulness as a primary smartphone today.
Before purchasing, check the battery condition, charging port, screen responsiveness, SIM configuration, and network bands. Older Windows Phones may also have difficulty accessing modern services, so the device is best treated as a specialised or nostalgic purchase rather than a replacement for a current Android or iPhone.
- Choose the dual-SIM edition if you regularly separate personal and work numbers.
- Prefer an LTE model when its supported bands match the local network.
- Confirm that the battery still holds a useful charge or budget for a replacement.
- Use a microSD card for media because the 8GB internal storage fills quickly.
- Buy it for the Windows Phone experience, camera controls, or collectability rather than current app support.
Why The Lumia 640 Still Matters
The Nokia Lumia 640 was a well-judged mid-range phone for its time. It delivered a comfortable 5-inch display, reliable construction, good daylight photography, strong battery endurance, and a fluid operating system without chasing premium specifications. Its limitations were clear, especially the 1GB of RAM and restricted app ecosystem, but its overall package felt coherent.
For Indian buyers in 2015, the phone offered features that mattered in daily use: dual-SIM availability, microSD expansion, removable power, and a bright screen. It was a practical Windows smartphone rather than a scaled-down flagship, and that honest positioning helped it stand out in a crowded market.
Today, the Lumia 640 is best appreciated as a snapshot of Microsoft’s final mobile ambitions. Anyone exploring the history of smartphone design, Windows Phone software, or affordable camera handsets will find it an engaging example. Browse current and archived phone coverage, compare surviving prices, and examine the device in person before adding this distinctive Lumia to a collection or secondary-phone lineup.