At a time when there was a fierce struggle for leadership between Apple and Samsung in the mobile device market, another strong player - Nokia, acquired by Microsoft IT giant Microsoft, took quite a solid position in the market. So, a new line of Lumia smartphones, controlled by the Windows operating system, was introduced. In particular, a year ago the Nokia Lumia 635 model was launched onto the market, which we will review in this article.
Lumia smartphones in the mobile market
To begin with, it should be noted that Lumia smartphones have been on the market for a long time, and for all this time they have already managed to take good positions, having won the trust of customers. These phones have a number of undeniable advantages even over the seemingly indisputable leaders of Samsung and Apple (we will return to this comparison more than once).
Firstly, Lumia is controlled by Windows Phone, which already provides some alternative to those who are tired of Android and iOS. Secondly, Lumia have a nice design, and this is a clear plus in the event that a person doubts which model he wants to purchase. Thirdly, Nokia is famous for its cameras, which can be attributed to the arguments for the purchase of the 635th model. Finally, fourthly, the Lumia smartphone will cost less than Apple and Samsung, but in quality, it will leave competitors far behind.
Design and housing
As already noted, the appearance of Nokia devices is on top. Despite the fact that the case is made of glossy plastic, on which fingerprints remain, the phone has a proprietary bright design designed using smooth angles. Thus, the phone looks like a toy. This, in fact, attracts attention.
On the whole, on the Nokia Lumia 635 (the overview clearly demonstrates this) the layout of the navigation keys is standard: they are located on the side of the phone. The mobile device lies easily in the hand, it is quite pleasant to the touch, although it can give glare in the sun. The disadvantage of such a beautiful coating on the case is its susceptibility to scratches: they will be clearly visible on a glossy surface.
Lumia Camera
Let's move on to another “trick” that all Lumia possess. These are high-quality pictures. Nokia Lumia 635 specifications in this regard is quite high. The device is equipped with a camera with a resolution of 5 megapixels, which can take photos of 2592 by 1944 pixels. This is more than enough to get an excellent picture. The auto focus function, which can make images even clearer, also helps in part. At the same time, the camera can independently recognize faces, due to which portrait photos come out much better than Samsung ones.
Nokia Lumia 635 (instructions confirm this) can also shoot video at 30 frames per second. Geotagging is also available here, as well as 4x zoom.
CPU and operating system
Let's move on to the processor, which is built into our Lumia 635. As stated in the technical specifications, the model comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, a 4-core module that allows the phone to work with a clock frequency of 1.2 GHz.
What is the use of the Nokia Lumia 635? Reviews note that such a “filling” is quite enough to respond to any user actions and perform various tasks without delay. In addition, the mobile works on Windows 8.1, due to which the device is optimized for effective assistance as much as possible, so it is extremely difficult to see how the phone is “buggy” or slows down. As a rule, Nokia Lumia 635 copes with all the tasks quite quickly. The characteristics of the smartphone can be called quite decent.
We should also mention the comfort of working with WP. Obviously, many who have moved to this platform with Android and iOS are not used to acting on this logic. This can explain a large number of negative reviews about the quality of the device. In fact, you just need to consider that Windows Phone is no worse and no better, it is just different. Even setting up the Nokia Lumia 635 is not done the way we used to do it on Android devices. And when buying such a phone, you need to understand this.
However, anyone who wants to use the phone under her control will quickly get used to it. Although, of course, you can argue about which operating system is more convenient. True, the leader in any case will remain the brainchild of Google. Here, it’s not just the Nokia Lumia 635 phone that is guilty, but the developers who chose just such an architecture of their system.
Windows Mobile Interface
The interface offered by the WP operating system can be found, if not live, then on the official website of the developer. As you can see, this OS is presented in a slightly different format. This is the desktop on which available applications appear in the form of a grid. Everyone who initially switches to Lumia feels some limitations due to such an unusual construction of the Nokia Lumia 635 interface. The reviews, however, state the opposite: that WP is an advanced system, which is a pleasure to work with. Obviously, the principle of "taste and color ..." applies.
Graphic characteristics of the Lumia 635
Characteristics of graphics issued by the smartphone can also be called another strength of Lumia. The device uses a fairly strong graphics engine paired with a colorful IPS-display with a resolution of 480 by 854 pixels. Such a bundle provides an excellent color rendition of the screen to match the bright and colorful body. Due to this, the phone can be called even more lively and attractive. The reviews left about the Nokia Lumia 635 confirm this: the phone seems much more beautiful due to such graphics. In addition, you can work with images and multimedia on it: show the taken photos, video files, movies and more. A 4.5 inch display size allows you to do this.
Nokia Lumia 635: complete set
The equipment in which the mobile phone is sold is primarily of interest to those who want to purchase it. True, in this case, no intrigue can be made from what is bundled with the Lumia 635, it is impossible: there is nothing extraordinary. In the box is a phone, charger, headset. The smartphone is offered without any additional installation drivers and devices. Everything is extremely prosaic and practical, despite the defiant bright design.
By the way, there are five different colors of the 635 model on sale, so the buyer has a choice. This again can be called another nice bonus for those who care about the style of the mobile device.
Apparatus cost
Do not forget about the cost of the phone as one of the criteria for evaluating it. It should be noted that, since the device was released about a year ago (in April 2014), now it is, of course, considered obsolete, and therefore it is quite difficult to find it on sale. Most likely, you can find used models that, due to a sharp jump in prices, will cost more than at the time of the device’s launch.
Last year, on the Nokia Lumia 635, the price was set at 6,990 rubles. Even within the cost of technology in 2014, this proves that this mobile device belongs to the budget category. Now, for example, a more advanced model Lumia 640 will cost the buyer 14 990 rubles. The class remains the same, only the list of functions and capabilities of the device is increased.
The results. Pros and cons of the device
To summarize our review of a mobile device. The first thing that pleases the Nokia Lumia 635 is the price. Yes, the device can be confidently called affordable, so it will suit both a business, busy person who appreciates the style and wide functionality of the phone, and a school student who simply likes this model. Regarding the appearance, one can also note the Nokia-branded glossy gloss of the model, which can also be seen on the cover of the iPhone 5C. Visually, it seems that the smartphone is covered with some kind of plastic shell. In general, it looks pretty attractive. Even the 635th model has a good camera that allows you to take large-size, high-quality images, and, of course, the non-standard Windows Phone 8.1 operating system. You can even talk about it separately. This is a universal tool that is highly optimized for a variety of tasks. WP shell literally "flies"; Accompanied by visual special effects, it can be called both functional and pleasant to work with. Lumia also has a good screen.
Now about the shortcomings. You can start again from the display. Although the color rendering in general and the pictures in particular on the 635 model are on top, the disadvantage is the too glossy texture of the surface on which the user's fingerprints are clearly visible. The same can be said about the smartphone case, on which they are also clearly visible. The second negative point in working with the phone is the lack of a front camera, which could serve as an excellent tool for creating selfie pictures.
The third nuance of the Nokia Lumia 635 (the instruction, by the way, does not mention it) is the lack of the ability to control the smartphone while the hands are in gloves. This is a significant drawback for countries where winters are characterized as long and cold.
You can also note the absence of metal inserts in the phone: it is entirely made of plastic. Of course, this does not make the Nokia Lumia 635 practical. The reviews confirm this.
Finally, someone may also find the Windows Phone platform uncomfortable. In order to handle it, you need a habit, which, of course, owners of devices on Android and iOS do not have. However, do not rush to be disappointed if you first bought yourself a Lumia. It may well turn out that he is not quite good.