As expected, Microsoft launched Lumia 535 in India today for 9,199 INR. Since the main highlighted feature of Lumia 730, its selfie camera was included in this phone as well, we were eager to explore how Lumia 535 faired as an alternative to Lumia 730, how much the two Lumia phones differ and are similar to each other. Here are our first impressions.
Lumia 535 Quick Specs
- Display Size: 5 Inch qHD 960 X 540 IPS LCD Display, 220 PPI, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Processor: 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 200 processor with Cortex A7 based Cores
- RAM: 1 GB
- Software Version: Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim
- Camera: 5 MP camera, LED flash, 1/4 Inch Sensor, 28 mm lens
- Secondary Camera: 5 MP, 24 mm Wide angle lens
- Internal Storage: 8 GB
- External Storage: MicroSD support up to 128 GB
- Battery: 1905 mAh
- Connectivity: HSPA+, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, aGPS, GLONASS,Micro USB
Lumia 535 Hands on Review, Camera, Price, Features, Display Quality and Overview, Initial Verdict[Video]
Design, Build and Display
The Lumia 535 sticks to the familiar Lumia design with colorful polycarbonate back covers and rounded corners. The Lumia 535 feels slimmer than what we are used to with other Lumia smartphones. Size wise, it lies on the larger side of the spectrum.
Volume rocker and power key are both well placed on the right edge. The 5 inch IPS LCD display with qHD resolution isn’t dazzling. Viewing angles, colors and sharpness – all left us wanting for more improvement. The Amoled HD display on Lumia 730 looked much better. All color variants will have glossy back cover. On the whole, we liked the build quality of Lumia 535. Display, not so much.
Processor and RAM
Lumia 535 is powered by Snapdragon 200 quad core chipset clocked at 1.2 GHz, assisted by 1 GB RAM. It is the same chipset which was used in Lumia 530 but with double the amount of RAM (512 MB vs 1 GB). Although UI transitions didn’t stutter, we didn’t find it to be very smooth. The snappiness which we have come to appreciate on Windows 8.1 devices, including Lumia 630 wasn’t there. The chipset is however good enough for basic users.
Camera and Internal Storage
As already stated, Lumia 535 is using the same wide angle 5 MP selfie camera as on Lumia 730 but there was a difference when we compared selfies from both phones side by side. Images on Lumia 730 reflected better colors and clarity.
Perhaps it was the difference in displays of the two smartphones or maybe the difference in the processor. We didn’t get to test captured images on a bigger displays in our initial hands on review.
The 5 MP rear shooter in Lumia 535 is also an average performer and you cannot record High Definition videos. We managed to capture a few good still shots in proper lighting, but video quality was strictly ok.
Internal storage is 8 GB and you can further expand it by another 128 GB using MicroSD support, since apps can be transferred to SD card, storage won’t be an issue.
User Interface and Battery
Lumia 535 comes with the latest Windows 8.1 and includes all Lumia Denim update changes like customized home screen or App corners, folders on home screen, Snooze time, SMS Merge, etc.
Battery capacity is 1905 mAh and Microsoft claims this will last for 23 days of maximum Standby time and 13 hours of 3G talk time. Lumia phones rarely disappoint in this regards and we have no good reasons to doubt these claims just yet. Good thing is that the battery is removable.
Lumia 535 Photo Gallery
Conclusion
Spending some time with Lumia 535 has made it clear that it lies in different league when compared to Lumia 730. The front camera is an improvement as Lumia 520, 530 and 535 were missing one, and the user experience won’t change drastically. Lumia 530 is a good budget Windows OS smartphone, but there is much room for improvement.
