• Windows Phone Area
• On July 6, 2015

Which is better?

In this article, we are comparing two Lumia phones with quite similar specs and pricing. Let’s dig into each section and try to pick a winner.

Design

Both models are made of polycarbonate and have removable backs. Microsoft Lumia 640 is bigger and thicker than Lumia 730. The 640 has rounded corners, whereas Lumia 730 has more industrial, rectangular shape. The latter is also more compact and lighter than Lumia 640.
Winner: Microsoft Lumia 730

Display

Lumia 640 has a 5-inch LCD screen with an HD resolution, while the Lumia 730 has a smaller OLED display with the same resolution, hence with a better pixel density. Moreover, the OLED screens have deeper blacks and often just look better on an OS dominated by black screens.
Winner: Microsoft Lumia 730

Hardware

Both Lumias are using the same processor with 1GB of RAM and have 8GB of storage. Both have microSD slots under the hood.

Winner: Tie

Cameras

Lumia 640 has an 8MP camera with a 1/4″ sensor and F2.2, while Lumia 730 is equipped with a 6.7MP camera with Zeiss optics, 1/3.4″ and F1.9. The camera capabilities of the 730 are slightly better than the 640 thanks to the bigger sensor, Zeiss optics and a wider aperture, which result in sharper images. The front camera in the Lumia 730 is much better than that in the 640 – 5MP wide-angle vs 0.9MP.
Winner: Microsoft Lumia 730

Battery

On paper, Lumia 640 has a better battery life than the 730. It has a larger 2500 mAh removable battery versus 2200mAH for the Lumia 730. According to official spec sheets, the 640 has up to 26.5 hours talk time in 2G, versus 22 hours for the 730.
Winner: Microsoft Lumia 640

Value for money

Based on current prices at Amazon.de, we can conclude that Lumia 640 has a better value/price ratio than the 730. An unlocked variant of the 640 without a contract is listed for EUR 131, while the 730 costs EUR 40 more or EUR 171.
Winner: Microsoft Lumia 640.

Conclusion:

Both Windows Phones have many things in common, but there are some major differences between them. If you prefer better cameras and OLED displays, then you can go for the Lumia 730. If you want bigger screens and better battery life – you can buy the cheaper Lumia 640 and save some money.

What model do you prefer and why? Let us know below.