When it comes to smartphones, the Microsoft Lumia 650 has made its mark with a combination of elegant design and practical functionality. Despite some drawbacks, it offers unique features that cater to specific user needs. Here, we’ll delve into its specifications, performance, and overall user experience.
MICROSOFT LUMIA 650 SPECIFICATION
Design and Build Quality
The Lumia 650 is touted as Microsoft’s slimmest Lumia ever. It boasts a sophisticated design with a soft-touch matte plastic rear, a 5-inch Gorilla Glass-strengthened screen, and an aluminum frame. At just 122 grams, it feels incredibly light, making it comfortable to handle for extended periods.
The device’s dimensions—142 mm in height, 70.9 mm in width, and 6.9 mm in thickness—contribute to its sleek profile. The aluminum frame and matte finish give it a premium feel, further enhanced by the Corning Gorilla Glass v3 protection on the display.
Display Quality
The Lumia 650’s 5.0-inch AMOLED display is one of its standout features. With a resolution of 720×1280 pixels and a pixel density of 294 ppi, it offers sharp and vibrant visuals. The AMOLED technology ensures deep blacks and vivid colors, making it a pleasure to use for reading emails, browsing the web, and watching videos.
While the PPI count might seem modest compared to higher-end devices, the overall display quality is excellent for its class. The screen’s visibility in direct sunlight is also commendable, thanks to the AMOLED panel’s brightness and contrast.
Camera Performance
Rear Camera
The 8 MP rear camera of the Lumia 650 is equipped with an f/2.2 aperture and a 28 mm focal length. It features autofocus and an LED flash, which help capture decent photos in various lighting conditions. The camera supports 2x digital zoom, auto flash, face detection, and touch-to-focus functionality.
In terms of image quality, the rear camera produces good results for a mid-range device. Photos taken in well-lit environments are sharp and detailed, though low-light performance is average due to the limited aperture size.
Front Camera
The 5 MP front camera is suitable for selfies and video calls. It records videos at 1280×720 pixels at 30 fps, which is adequate for most casual uses. The wide-angle lens ensures that more of the background or more people fit into the frame.
Battery Life
The Lumia 650 is powered by a 2000 mAh Li-ion battery. While this capacity might seem limited compared to modern smartphones, it manages to provide a respectable talk time of up to 16 hours on a 4G network. For everyday tasks such as checking emails, browsing the web, and occasional media consumption, the battery life is satisfactory.
However, power users might find themselves reaching for the charger by the end of the day, especially if they engage in heavy multitasking or gaming.
Software and Performance
Operating System
Running on Windows 10 Mobile, the Lumia 650 offers a unique experience compared to Android and iOS devices. The operating system is designed with productivity in mind, featuring seamless integration with Microsoft Office apps, Outlook, and other Microsoft services.
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 processor, paired with 1 GB of RAM, provides adequate performance for basic tasks. However, the device struggles with more demanding applications and multitasking. Users might experience occasional lag and stutter, especially when switching between multiple apps.
User Experience
Windows 10 Mobile brings several improvements over its predecessors, including a more intuitive settings menu and better customization options. However, the operating system has its share of quirks and bugs. Some users have reported issues with app compatibility and stability.
One of the major drawbacks of the Lumia 650 is the limited availability of apps in the Windows Store. Popular apps like Snapchat and some Google services are notably absent, which might be a deal-breaker for many users. Additionally, some apps have not been updated for a long time, resulting in performance and compatibility issues.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The Lumia 650 offers a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth v4.1, A-GPS, Glonass, and NFC. The device also supports micro USB 2.0 for charging and data transfer. The inclusion of an FM radio and a 3.5 mm audio jack caters to users who prefer traditional media consumption methods.
In terms of sensors, the Lumia 650 is equipped with a light sensor, proximity sensor, and accelerometer. These sensors enhance the overall user experience by enabling features like automatic brightness adjustment and responsive screen orientation.
Microsoft Lumia 650
Conclusion
The Microsoft Lumia 650 presents a mixed bag of features. Its elegant design, AMOLED display, and solid build quality make it an attractive option for users seeking a stylish and lightweight smartphone. The integration with Microsoft services and the productivity-focused Windows 10 Mobile OS are strong points for business users.
However, the device is held back by its mediocre performance, limited app availability, and the inherent issues of the Windows 10 Mobile platform. While the Lumia 650 is a decent mid-range smartphone, it falls short of greatness due to these limitations.
For those deeply integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem and looking for a secondary device or a business phone, the Lumia 650 is worth considering. However, users seeking a more versatile and powerful smartphone experience might want to explore other options in the same price range.
Final Thoughts
The Lumia 650 serves as a testament to Microsoft’s attempt to carve out a niche in the smartphone market with its Windows 10 Mobile platform. Despite its shortcomings, the device offers a glimpse into what could have been a strong competitor in the mobile OS arena. With a sleek design, vibrant display, and integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem, it had the potential to cater to a specific user base effectively.
However, the limitations in performance, app availability, and the eventual discontinuation of support for Windows 10 Mobile highlight the challenges faced by the Lumia 650. For those who appreciate its design and are content with the available apps, it remains a functional device. Yet, in a rapidly evolving smartphone market, the Lumia 650 stands as a reminder of the dynamic and competitive nature of technology.
In summary, the Lumia 650 is a well-designed, mid-range smartphone that excels in certain areas but falls short in others. It’s a device that appeals to a niche audience, particularly those who value design and integration with Microsoft services over raw performance and app diversity. For these users, the Lumia 650 might still hold a certain charm and functionality.
