Microsoft Nokia Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM: A Detailed Review and User Experience

If you’ve ever come across the Microsoft Nokia Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM, you probably remember its bold design and the unique experience of using Windows Phone. It’s one of those smartphones that stood apart from the crowd, not just because of its software but also its sheer size and user-centric features. While it may no longer be in the spotlight today, the Lumia 640 XL left a significant mark in the mid-range smartphone market when it was released.

In this in-depth article, we’ll explore everything about the Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM – its design, performance, software experience, camera, battery life, and more. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions and wrap things up with a clear conclusion on whether this phone is still worth revisiting or collecting.

Design and Display

One of the first things you notice about the Lumia 640 XL is its size. The “XL” in its name isn’t just for show. This is a big phone with a bold presence.

  • The device sports a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. That gives you a pixel density of about 259 pixels per inch. It’s not full HD, but it does offer vibrant colors and decent sharpness for everyday use.
  • The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which helps guard against minor scratches and daily wear and tear.
  • It has a clean and simple design with rounded corners and a soft matte finish on the back. The plastic shell is removable, allowing access to the battery, SIM card slots, and microSD card slot.
  • The Dual SIM feature is well integrated, especially for those who need separate lines for work and personal use or for people who travel frequently.
  • The phone comes in a variety of fun colors including cyan, orange, white, and matte black, which added a touch of personality in an otherwise plain world of metallic and glass phones.

Although large, the phone fits comfortably in the hand for most users due to its balanced weight and ergonomic design. The buttons are tactile and placed conveniently for one-handed use, although reaching the top of the screen may require a bit of hand gymnastics.

Performance and Software Experience

Under the hood, the Lumia 640 XL runs on modest hardware, but it was optimized quite well thanks to the efficiency of Windows Phone.

  • It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset, a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, and an Adreno 305 GPU.
  • The phone has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. However, you can expand storage up to 128 GB via microSD card.
  • It runs on Windows Phone 8.1 out of the box and is upgradable to Windows 10 Mobile. For those who used it during its prime, the transition to Windows 10 brought in new features and UI improvements.

The performance, though not blazing fast, is smooth for basic tasks like calling, texting, web browsing, and social media. It could struggle with more demanding games or apps, but multitasking between core apps was fairly seamless.

What truly set the Lumia series apart was the software experience:

  • Live Tiles on the Start screen provided a dynamic way to interact with notifications and app updates.
  • Cortana, Microsoft’s digital assistant, added voice command functionality and reminders.
  • Microsoft’s suite of productivity apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook worked flawlessly on the device.
  • Regular updates and a clean interface made the OS feel polished and user-friendly.

However, the lack of app support in the Windows Store eventually became a major drawback. As time passed, fewer developers supported the platform, making it difficult to find essential or updated apps.

Camera, Battery, and Multimedia

The Lumia 640 XL earned a reputation for offering an excellent camera experience, especially in its price range.

  • The rear camera is a 13 MP shooter with Carl Zeiss optics, LED flash, and autofocus. It captures sharp, detailed images with rich colors, even in daylight.
  • Low-light performance is respectable, and manual controls in the Lumia Camera app allow users to tweak white balance, ISO, and shutter speed.
  • Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps, and the footage is stable and clear for everyday moments.
  • The front camera is a 5 MP wide-angle lens that’s great for selfies and video calls.

Audio quality from the rear speaker is decent. It’s not particularly loud or bass-heavy but serves well for calls and media playback. With headphones, the audio quality improves significantly.

The battery is a 3000 mAh removable unit:

  • It easily lasts a full day with moderate usage, including browsing, messaging, and light video watching.
  • The removable battery also means you could carry a spare, which is a rare convenience in today’s sealed smartphones.

Feature Summary Table

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM specs and features:

Feature

Specification

Display

5.7-inch IPS LCD, 720×1280 resolution

Processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, Quad-core 1.2 GHz

RAM

1 GB

Storage

8 GB internal, expandable via microSD

Rear Camera

13 MP with Carl Zeiss optics, 1080p video

Front Camera

5 MP wide-angle lens

Battery

3000 mAh, removable

Operating System

Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Windows 10

SIM Slots

Dual SIM

Connectivity

3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS

Build

Plastic body with Gorilla Glass 3 front

Who Was This Phone Meant For?

The Microsoft Nokia Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM was clearly aimed at users who wanted a big-screen experience without spending too much money. It catered to:

  • Budget-conscious users who still wanted a large screen and decent camera
  • Business users who could benefit from Microsoft Office integration and Dual SIM
  • Loyal Nokia fans who appreciated build quality and simplicity
  • Travelers and users in emerging markets who needed Dual SIM support

It wasn’t built for heavy gamers or those who wanted a massive app ecosystem. Instead, it served people who valued durability, practicality, and camera quality on a budget.

FAQs About the Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM

Is the Lumia 640 XL still usable today?
Technically, yes. You can still use it for calls, messages, and basic offline tasks. However, many apps no longer receive support on Windows Phone, and the internet browsing experience is outdated.

Can you install Android on the Lumia 640 XL?
There have been experimental projects by developers trying to run Android or other OS variants, but they are unofficial, unstable, and not recommended for daily use.

Does it support 4G or LTE?
The Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM model supports 3G and some regional variants support LTE. But it’s limited compared to today’s 4G/5G standards.

Is the battery replaceable?
Yes, and this is one of its strengths. The battery is removable, so you can replace it yourself without needing special tools.

Is there a dedicated app store?
Yes, the Microsoft Store (formerly Windows Store) was the app hub. However, it’s largely inactive now, and many apps are no longer available or updated.

What made this phone stand out?
The standout features were its big, colorful display, excellent camera performance for the price, Dual SIM support, and solid build quality.

Can it be used as a secondary phone today?
Yes, if you only need it for calling, basic texting, or media playback from a microSD card. For smart functions, it’s very limited now.

Conclusion: A Forgotten Giant with a Loyal Following

The Microsoft Nokia Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM was one of the better mid-range smartphones of its time. It brought a compelling mix of performance, design, and camera capabilities at an affordable price. Windows Phone, with its minimalist interface and fluid performance, felt fresh and different.

However, the downfall of the Windows Phone platform ultimately limited the phone’s long-term usefulness. The shrinking app ecosystem and lack of ongoing support make it hard to recommend as a primary phone today.

That said, it still holds a nostalgic value for many users. Whether you’re a tech collector, a Windows Phone enthusiast, or someone who just appreciates solid hardware, the Lumia 640 XL remains a memorable piece of mobile history. It reminds us of a time when smartphone diversity was richer and software ecosystems were still being figured out.

If you still have one lying around, keep it charged. It might not be your daily driver, but it’s certainly a conversation starter.

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