The Microsoft Lumia 535 is an attractive option in the budget Windows Phone category. Here's a short review in slideshow format.

1. Microsoft
Lumia 535
Review in pictures
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2. 2
Same Lumia, different branding
• The Microsoft Lumia 535 looks like any other Lumia device, minus the branding
• Features colourful interchangeable shells that extend over the edges
• Not the thinnest at 8.8mm, but fits well in the hand and pocket
• Features an onscreen navigation bar instead of hardware keys
• Supports dual-SIM
DESIGN

3. Display that’s bigger, but not better
• Features a 5-inch display, the largest on a budget Lumia
• Gets Gorilla Glass 3 protection, but misses out on an oleophobic coating
• Sports qHD (960 x 540 pixels) resolution, resulting in a low pixel density of
220ppi
• Brightness levels are high, but sharpness isn’t great
• Touch sensitivity is poor, with sluggish responsiveness for even basic gestures
DESIGN

4. Big improvements in the photography department
• Sports 5MP front and rear
cameras, with an LED flash at
the rear
• The front camera is fixed focus,
but the wide-angle lens is well
suited to group photos
• Pre-loaded with the Lumia
Camera and Lumia Selfie app
• Former is the same as Nokia
Camera, with controls for white
balance, exposure, focus and
more
• Lumia Selfie offers a range of
filters and effects, and an Auto
Selfie mode
CAMERA

5. Front snapper outshines the rear
• Rear camera offers usable, but
average results
• Quick to focus, though colours
tend to be muted
• Daylight shots are decent, but low
light images are grainy
• Front camera is great for selfies
• Enhances skin tone without
making it seem artificial
• In the wide angle mode, even
subjects at the rear and edges are
captured in a decent amount of
detail
CAMERA
Rear camera
Front camera

6. Some new software features
• Runs Windows Phone 8.1
(with Update 1), with the
Lumia Denim firmware
• Gets new features like
native app folders and
customisable snooze alarms
• Navigation bar is hidden
by default, and is displayed
only when you swipe up. It’s
annoying, but can be
disabled in settings
• Dedicated SIM
management section
USER INTERFACE

7. …with all the goodness of WP 8.1
• Gets Action Center for
drop-down notifications
and quick toggles
• Offers the ability to add a
background image to the
start screen
• Gets separate volume
controls for notifications
and media, Quiet Hours,
Find my Phone, Internet
Explorer 11, etc
• Plenty of pre-loaded apps
USER INTERFACE

8. Smooth performance, with a few hiccups
• Powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 200 processor with 1GB of RAM
• Reliable for daily use, and can handle multi-tasking
• But some apps lag while opening, and touch responsiveness is an issue
• Can handle most games, including Beach Buggy Racing and Asphalt Overdrive
• Offers 8GB of internal storage, out of which around 3.3GB is user available
PERFORMANCE

9. Enough juice for one day
• Features a 1,905mAh li-ion
removable battery
• Can last until the end of a
working day with moderate
use
• Good standby times
• Turning on the Battery
Saver option will conserve
fuel by limiting push
notifications and turning off
background apps
PERFORMANCE

10. At a glance…
• 5-inches 960 x 540 pixels (220 ppi)
• 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm
Snapdragon 200 processor
• Adreno 302 GPU
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB in-built storage with microSD
slot
• 5MP primary camera with flash, 5MP
front camera
• Windows Phone 8.1 (Update 1) with
Denim update
• 1,905mAh battery
• Dual-SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
and NFC

11. Pros and Cons
• Great front camera
• Large screen
• 1GB of RAM
• Decent internal storage
• Display only gets qHD resolution
• Touch responsiveness is an
issue
• Overpriced for its specs

12. Pricing & Verdict
Price:
Rs 9,199
“For its first device without Nokia’s branding, the
Microsoft Lumia 535 is a decent effort. It has set a new
benchmark among affordable Lumias, which until now,
featured mediocre specifications. At its price of Rs
9,199, there are many better Android options such as
the Xiaomi Redmi Note, ASUS Zenfone 5, and Huawei
Honor Holly. But, if you’re a Windows Phone fan, the
Lumia 535 seems like the first worthy upgrade over the
Lumia 520, and one you should definitely consider.”