Nokia Lumia 630 review

Lumia 630 is Nokia's latest attempt to collect as many consumers as possible around one device. Similar to well known Lumia 520, this new budget smartphone has a big sales target. Beside the affordable price, Lumia 630 comes with fresh Windows Phone 8.1 OS. Also, the latest budget Lumia is the first Nokia's device after the completed Microsoft's acquisition of this Finnish manufacturer. Like some similar models, this cheap fellow offers removable back panel in several colors, which should bring this device to youngsters. So, the Nokia Lumia 630 has all it needs to become a new bestseller? Let's go step by step.

Lumia 630 design

In visual term, the phone isn't much different than other budget Lumias. It comes to that especially when it's compared with Lumia 620 and Lumia 625. No matter it has budget roots, the Lumia 630 is lightweight and tiny phone. It's 9.2mm thick and it's easy to use. Like other cheap phones, this one doesn't offer premium feel, but it's understandable and something we expected. The phone can be changed into several colors (black, white, green, orange and yellow), so it should improve the visual aspect of it. But, for some is more important the build quality instead of shiny cover. Well, the Lumia 630 is a true Nokia, because you will not feel or hear any crackingnoises when holding the phone in hands or changing the back side panel. The new Lumia has standard hard buttons. On the right side are the main and volume rockers. We are used to see them in black or metallic colors, but here they are colored in the same paint like the rest of the body. At the top is placed the 3.5mm audio port. The phone bottom is place where you can find microUSB port. The back side is reserved for 5MP sensor. If you remove it, you will enter the inner part of the phone, where are microSD slot and battery, which can be removed. If you think Nokia hasn't cut any of standard smartphone features, you're wrong. To place a price around 150, 160 euros Nokia has removed a standard proximity sensor, as well as automatic adjustment of the screen brightness.

Lumia 630 screen

The 4.5-inch Clear Black IPS display offers 480x854 pixels. Even the kids know it's somewhere under the average. In real life, the screen quality is tolerable and expected for this price. The screen is definitely not the best from Nokia family of smartphones. Because of the larger diagonal it has little pixels per inch (only 218). The result is text with pixels that you can really see. Viewing angles are also not something to be proud of. In general, even this isn't bad, but competitors (primarily Moto G) offers significantly better quality at the same price.

Lumia 630 camera

The 5MP camera is something that the phone can’t be proud of too. And when you hear it comes with no flash, then expectations must be lower. The camera however has a new interface and good auto and manual focus, but I think it isn’t enough to compensate the lack of pixels and particular flash. Photos that this phone makes are fine, but nothing more. However, it suits the social networks needs. If you shoot on a beautiful day, the photos can be ok but with non-living colors, while the quality of images taken indoors are slightly worse. Lumia 630 doesn't have a front camera, so we can say freely that this is not the best choice if you're looking for good smartphone camera.

Lumia 630 software and performances

The phone runs on the new Windows Phone 8.1 OS. In practice that brings a new portion for receiving the notifications, similar to Android. So, drag your finger down the screen and all the information are there. Start screen is a little bit changed and now you can have background pictures. The new system provides a better and easy multitasking, also something like iOS and Android. There is Cortana, the new voice assistant, so it’s a new way smartphone is helping you. Lumia 630 comes with SensorCore option, which allows apps to use available sensors on your phone with no extra battery drain. In combination with Bing Health & Fitness appusers can track their physical activity (km traveled, ​​steps made and calories burned). Lumia 630 is powered by dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 400 at 1.2 GHz. Despite a solid processor, the phone has low RAM memory (only 512MB), which drastically reduces the list of possible activities (games and demanding applications). However, Windows Phone is still not too demanding, and allows that despite weaker hardware works nicely on it. The phone has a battery of 1830mAh, which can be removed. That's enough for a carefree all day use. So, a couple of hours of calls, games and a bit of surfing and your charger will not be needed until the bedtime.

Lumia 630 conclusion

Should you buy the Lumia 630? The answer is yes if you are looking for a simple, easy to use and inexpensive phone. It is especially practical as a Dual SIM phone. Except the absence of the usual parts and options, Lumia 630 offers decent performance and everything that Windows Phone brings or takes away. It’s primarily the lack of apps, but frankly WP offers almost all popular apps you need. The new OS works better and smoother with the new options, which are closer to iOS and Android. The main competitor to this phone is the Moto G thatoffers far better performance, but withmemory that can not be expanded. Photos and video: nokia.com