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Lumia 625 vs. Lumia 635: Entry-level Windows Phone 8.1

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US | B 13 comments

Let's see how Nokia's brand new Lumia 635 stacks up to its predecessor.

Microsoft Build kicked off in San Francisco this week and, as a Microsoft-owned company, Nokia was on hand to announce its newest Lumia phones. The company gave us a handful of devices at MWC in Barcelona, but it saved the Lumia line for Build. We've already met the Lumia 930 and the Lumia 630, and now we've got the follow on to the Lumia 625: the Lumia 635.

Spec
Lumia 625
Lumia 635
OS
Windows Phone 8
Windows Phone 8.1
Screen
4.7-inch 480x800 pixels LCD
4.5-inch 480x800 FWVGA display, ClearBlack LCD
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon S4
Qualcomm Snapdragon 400
CPU
1.2 GHz (dual-core)
1.2 GHz (quad-core)
GPU
Adreno 305
Adreno 305
RAM
512 MB RAM
512 MB RAM
Storage
8 GB
8 GB
Additional Storage
Up to 64 GB
Up to 128 GB via MicroSD
Camera
5-megapixel (2592x1936) with auto-focus, LED flash
5-megapixel (2592х1944) with auto-focus, LED flash
Connectivity
Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, GPS, GLONASSBluetooth 4.0, WiFi, GPS, GLONASS
Battery2000 mAh
1830 mAh
Launch Price
$229
$189

Not a whole lot has changed in terms of hardware. Of course, we've jumped from dual-core to quad-core, and that's nothing to sniff at. But this is still very much an entry-level device, and the battery has actually gotten a bit smaller. Still, the fact is that Nokia has cut the price significantly. Of course, this device also comes with Windows 8.1, so that means MS Office, Nokia's own Camera application, HERE Maps, and Mix Radio.

Availability for the Nokia 635 is set for this coming summer. It will be available in the United States.

Read more: Nokia Lumia 620 vs. Lumia 630: Budget Windows Phone 8.1

Follow Jane McEntegart @JaneMcEntegart. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

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  • 2 Hide
    lpedraja2002 , April 2, 2014 7:06 PM
    That's a very tough sell considering the prices of the Moto G.
  • 0 Hide
    tomfreak , April 2, 2014 8:47 PM
    Once again the 512RAM problem
  • -1 Hide
    belardo , April 2, 2014 11:15 PM
    And the Moto G has replaceable rear covers.... but its a 3G only device. Still, the Moto G has a better display and costs less.And you can add the WP8 style launcher to any Android phone for free.
  • Display all 13 comments.
  • -1 Hide
    icemunk , April 3, 2014 5:15 AM
    If I wanted to spend $220 on a cheap phone, I'd go with a MTK-6592 1.7ghz octocore w/ 2GB of ram.
  • 0 Hide
    jacobdrj , April 3, 2014 6:05 AM
    At $220, I'd get a Lumia 925 or a Moto G... This is priced incorrectly. Also, should have put in 1GB of RAM to be able to run all programs on WP. The Lumia 835 should be in the $200-$250 range, unlocked, and available from Amazon, or another reputable dealer... If not, they will have seriously missed an opportunity...
  • 4 Hide
    Bloob , April 3, 2014 8:43 AM
    Quote:
    And the Moto G has replaceable rear covers.... but its a 3G only device. Still, the Moto G has a better display and costs less.And you can add the WP8 style launcher to any Android phone for free.
    It has a more high res display, as does the first Asus Padfone, but it's total shit in sunlight, unlike the 620 (and likely 635). I'd want to judge them side by side (and preferably outside), before giving out awards.
  • 0 Hide
    hannibal , April 3, 2014 11:09 AM
    Good points! Both phones has its merits.
  • 0 Hide
    anonymous_user , April 3, 2014 11:28 AM
    Wait, so going from the 625 to 635 they shrunk the display .2" and battery holds 170 mAh less; Why?
  • 2 Hide
    hannibal , April 3, 2014 11:40 AM
    Quote:
    Wait, so going from the 625 to 635 they shrunk the display .2" and battery holds 170 mAh less; Why?
    They seems to be using the same display in many low end, middle range models, so they probably get some synergy profit of it.

  • 1 Hide
    alextheblue , April 3, 2014 4:58 PM
    Quote:
    If I wanted to spend $220 on a cheap phone, I'd go with a MTK-6592 1.7ghz octocore w/ 2GB of ram.
    Quote:
    At $220, I'd get a Lumia 925 or a Moto G... This is priced incorrectly.
    Time for a new eye exam :D ? $229 was the launch price for the old 625. The new 635 is launching at $189. Not to mention that in daily use, the 635 will be faster and better in bright light than the Moto G. Also where can you get a 925 off contract NEW for $220? You guys need to share what you're smoking! :p 
    Quote:
    Once again the 512RAM problem
    On WP8 devices it's not the end of the world. On an Android 4.x device it would be pretty bad. But with WP8 it isn't a huge deal.
  • -1 Hide
    tomfreak , April 3, 2014 5:54 PM
    Quote:
    On WP8 devices it's not the end of the world. On an Android 4.x device it would be pretty bad. But with WP8 it isn't a huge deal.
    u seems to miss the point again. the RAM is bottlenecking the quad core. While a lot of App can tak advantages of quad core, but most will do fine on dual core if they are only require 512Ram or less. If an App manage to fully use all quad core resources, most likely it is a pretty heavy app, it will most likely need 1GB ram. This is like trying to put a 4670K on a 2GB RAM.
  • 0 Hide
    jacobdrj , April 4, 2014 12:04 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    If I wanted to spend $220 on a cheap phone, I'd go with a MTK-6592 1.7ghz octocore w/ 2GB of ram.
    Quote:
    At $220, I'd get a Lumia 925 or a Moto G... This is priced incorrectly.
    Time for a new eye exam :D ? $229 was the launch price for the old 625. The new 635 is launching at $189. Not to mention that in daily use, the 635 will be faster and better in bright light than the Moto G. Also where can you get a 925 off contract NEW for $220? You guys need to share what you're smoking! :p 
    Quote:
    Once again the 512RAM problem
    On WP8 devices it's not the end of the world. On an Android 4.x device it would be pretty bad. But with WP8 it isn't a huge deal.


    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nokia-Lumia-925-Windows-Phone-8-Smartphone-for-T-Mobile-NEW-/151268628633?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item2338501899
  • 1 Hide
    alextheblue , April 5, 2014 8:53 PM
    Quote:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nokia-Lumia-925-Windows-Phone-8-Smartphone-for-T-Mobile-NEW-/151268628633?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item2338501899
    Sorry, I should have specified unlocked. You can get an unlocked 625 for $230. You'll soon be able to get a 635 for less.