Microsoft unveils affordable Windows 10 smartphone options

Microsoft has unveiled a couple of impressive and affordable options to fit into their smartphone lineup at Mobile World Congress. The unveiling of the Microsoft Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL are two of the more-impressive smartphones that weren’t one of the expected flagship launches that many had anticipated leading up to the event itself. The smartphone manufacturers refer to these devices as the ideal devices for emerging markets, but the truth is that there has been a shortage of quality mid-range devices that don’t cost what flagship devices do, but still bring enough function to the table to be used on a daily basis by someone who is looking to be productive, and have a device that can withstand two-years of potential use.

The Microsoft Lumia 640 features a 5-inch display that registers as 720p. While that isn’t a top of the line display, it isn’t so bad that you’re not going to see a major difference between this, and some of the higher-end devices that are on the market. The Lumia 640 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage that can be expanded out to 128GB. While the cameras on the device aren’t the greatest, they certainly aren’t the worst either. An 8MP rear-facing camera combined with a 1MP front-facing shooter makes for a good entry-level combination. Microsoft decided to launch both 3G and LTE versions of the phone, which allow users to make the choice between the two, and save some money if they don’t want the LTE enabled smartphone. Perhaps most impressively, the device does feature a 2500mAh battery, which means the phone will last a very long time – and serve as a major asset to the Lumia lineup.

Meanwhile, the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL which was also introduced today has the same internal features – but gets a few specific cosmetic upgrades that really make the device a better all-around choice. The display is larger measuring in at 5.7-inches, and the two cameras are upgraded to a 13MP rear-facing shooter, and a 5MP front-facing shooter. Right now the only notable knock against either device is that it likely will not be picked up by Verizon at all in the United States. It would appear as though Verizon will be getting another Lumia device, while the 640 and 640 XL launch on AT&T this spring. Both devices will feature Windows 8.1 to start, but then will go to Windows 10 once the new operating system launches later this year.