Nokia Lumia 635 - best value for money smartphone?

[saintforlife]

This thing is only $54 on Amazon for the AT&T model. How is MS able to sell a smartphone for this cheap? It will even slated to get the Windows 10 update.

• 4.5 inch ClearBlack, IPS LCD Display 480x854 resolution 221 ppi
• 8 GB storage 512 MB RAM Expandable Memory up to 128 GB
• 5.0 MP Camera with 720p HD Video and Autofocus
• 1.2 GHz MSM8x26 Snapdragon 400 Quad core Processor
• 4G LTE

http://www.cnet.com/products/nokia-lumia-635/

 

[Lloydbm41]

This thing is only $54 on Amazon for the AT&T model. How is MS able to sell a smartphone for this cheap? It will even slated to get the Windows 10 update.

• 4.5 inch ClearBlack, IPS LCD Display 480x854 resolution 221 ppi
• 8 GB storage 512 MB RAM Expandable Memory up to 128 GB
• 5.0 MP Camera with 720p HD Video and Autofocus
• 1.2 GHz MSM8x26 Snapdragon 400 Quad core Processor
• 4G LTE

http://www.cnet.com/products/nokia-lumia-635/

It is basically the Lumia 520 replacement and those were dirt cheap too. At one point going for about $25. It is good for a basic phone, but don't expect a high end experience with 512MB of RAM and an old CPU.

 

[maflynn]

I would assume you could get a used phone that has better specks off of swappa. That's the subsidized price isn't it. So you're still on the hook for 2 years. I'd look for a better phone if that is the case.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Some people look at specs on paper, some people actually use it. I think it is a brilliant phone as a super price, it is really really good. Rapidly becoming the most popular one amongst teenagers in our local school. It isn't just a case of value for money, it does what it needs to do very well as well.

 

[Michael Goff]

I would assume you could get a used phone that has better specks off of swappa. That's the subsidized price isn't it. So you're still on the hook for 2 years. I'd look for a better phone if that is the case.

No, that's subsidy free. You just pay 54$ for the phone.

 

[iBlazed]

I would assume you could get a used phone that has better specks off of swappa. That's the subsidized price isn't it. So you're still on the hook for 2 years. I'd look for a better phone if that is the case.

You would think its with a subsidy but it's not. It's actually that cheap.

OP, I have a lumia 635. It's a good little phone and it really is a great deal. Will be even better with windows 10 Because it will have a new browser. The biggest downside to it currently is the IE browser and no other options.

 

[AppleRobert]

If you want a WP then fine, if you rather have android then the Motorola G first gen.

 

[rhinosrcool]

You would think its with a subsidy but it's not. It's actually that cheap.

OP, I have a lumia 635. It's a good little phone and it really is a great deal. Will be even better with windows 10 Because it will have a new browser. The biggest downside to it currently is the IE browser and no other options.

I agree. This is a good phone. If you are familiar with Windows 8.1 and like it, it's a great deal. Currently, I have one that I use on wifi. When Windows 10 comes, it will be interesting to see how it performs.

 

[maflynn]

No, that's subsidy free. You just pay 54$ for the phone.

Really wow, 54 bucks is cheap - I better understand the OP's bewilderment then.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I have a 620 (last years model, basically) and it's a nice little phone. It's no speed deamon, and opening/resuming apps is what you would expect from a low end phone, but otherwise it's great. It takes good enough photos, and - aside from heavy multitasking - there's no lag.

It was good enough for me to use as my daily driver for a few months, before going back to an 820 due to the inclusion of wireless charging.

If you can pick a newer model up for just $54, that's a no brainer.

Edit: I may have lied about it being a no brainer. It only has 512mb of RAM, and the rumor is that Windows Phone 10 is going to run better on devices with 1gb or more RAM. So while it's still a great phone, it may become less-great once WP10 is released. I still don't think you can complain for $54, but FYI is might not stand the tests of time as well as the Lumia 735.

 

[spinedoc77]

Insane price. I've been toying with going to WP and I might just pick this up to see how the experience is.

 

[ryankul]

I own the 635. Good phone but I also picked up another Moto G at Best Buy for $60 and it's a much better phone in my opinion.

 

[Cod3rror]

It's a fantastic phone IMO. Especially because it'll get the upgrade to Windows 10.

 

[spinedoc77]

Anyone know what the situation is with Google voice on windows phones, I'm getting different answers searching around. That's probably the biggest issue holding me back from WP, and I'm a MS fanboy. But I really need GV to work.

----------

I own the 635. Good phone but I also picked up another Moto G at Best Buy for $60 and it's a much better phone in my opinion.

How did you do $60? I'd rather get the Moto G but they are listing it for $499 at BB as a replacement device. That's the 2014 Moto G.

 

[Michael Goff]

Anyone know what the situation is with Google voice on windows phones, I'm getting different answers searching around. That's probably the biggest issue holding me back from WP, and I'm a MS fanboy. But I really need GV to work.

If you absolutely need Google services, I don't think WP is a good idea. There might be third party apps, true, but Google is rather hostile to WP. There's no reason to assume they won't do something to make them stop working if the app gets enough users.

 

[sunking101]

Insane price. I've been toying with going to WP and I might just pick this up to see how the experience is.

It isn't a level playing field though. You want to try out iOS? You'll need a premium Apple handset. Want to try out Android or WM? You can do it on a cheap as chips handset....but it won't give you the same experience as trying a premium Android or WM device.

 

[spinedoc77]

Well I gotta send in my POS Note 4 for a 6th replacement so I needed an emergency phone. Went and got the 635 price matched at BB. I'm curious about WP and can always keep it in a desk drawer for emergencies.

 

[iBlazed]

How did you do $60? I'd rather get the Moto G but they are listing it for $499 at BB as a replacement device. That's the 2014 Moto G.

You sure about that? 2014 Moto G unlocked goes for $180 on Amazon.

 

[ryankul]

You sure about that? 2014 Moto G unlocked goes for $180 on Amazon.

Exactly^> . I got the 1st gen Verizon model and it was $60 on sale. Its usually only 99$.

 

[spinedoc77]

This is what I'm seeing, but I see now that you were talking about last year's model. Still, $499 doesn't make sense for the 2014 Moto G, seeing as that's what the Moto X costs outright. Hmm, am I seeing something wrong here?

edit: Weird, BB puts "2nd generation" for the 2014 Moto G, it appears this one is the older edition. Must be a typo.

 

[midwestfisherma]

I bought mine during their Microsoft's BF sale and paid $40. The LTE makes it a real nice phone. It dies everything that I want my phone to do. Email, texting, Facebook, Twitter, I've got a 64GB SD card in it loaded with music. The navigation using Nokia's Here maps is great. The screen is nice.

Occasionally the Weather channel app will give me some issues with seeing the current radar in motion, but that's a small thing in my book. I have 3 email accounts that sync up fine with this phone. Pandora, which I listen to a lot runs great on it. I've really had a positive experience with this phone.

I do miss the Google apps that you can run on iOS and android but, so far, the positives of this phone have me staying with it.

 

[spinedoc77]

Been using this phone all day today and I'm VERY impressed for the $53 I paid for it (BB price matched amazon). The earpiece and speaker volume are outstanding, even better than my Note 4. I can't say I really like the volume buttons on the right side, or the lowered power button though.

Ultimately thought I won't stay with WP due to the lack of google voice support, I just use it way too much in daily life to give it up.

 

[jmcnally72]

Well I gotta send in my POS Note 4 for a 6th replacement so I needed an emergency phone. Went and got the 635 price matched at BB. I'm curious about WP and can always keep it in a desk drawer for emergencies.

Had to do the same thing - waiting for my 635 which I got on eBay before I mail away my 4 to Samsung - camera focus problem too??

 

[spinedoc77]

Had to do the same thing - waiting for my 635 which I got on eBay before I mail away my 4 to Samsung - camera focus problem too??

Camera focus, GPS hardware bad, entire phone freezes every 5-10 seconds.

 

[Septembersrain]

I love this phone. It's way better than the 521 I had before. I also like that it's not too heavy or big. It functions well, not much lag unless I keep too many apps open.

I also think it is pretty fast, especially with the AT&T network in my area. Overall, it's a great deal!