We’ve seen the Lumia name before in South Africa but it was usually pegged alongside the Nokia moniker. This connection will become more and more tattered as the years roll on now, but Microsoft has ensured that its label is stuck onto the back of the Lumia range, and this a bad thing at all.
The Microsoft Lumia 535 is the first product of Microsoft’s newly-found smartphone love to hit South African shores, and my, it’s quite a looker.
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Read more: Microsoft launches first self-branded phone in South Africa, the Lumia 535
Boasting a 5.0-inch screen slathered in Corning Gorilla Glass 3, running Windows Phone 8.1 (naturally) and housing a 5MP primary camera, it’s a mix-mash of high and mid-range features. The interior is also packed with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 SoC, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, that can be increased by means of a microSD card.
Our white-backed review unit looked stunning in its Apple-inspired covering, and this phone can be had in a range of pastels, including the more well-known orange, green, yellow, blue, black and grey. For one, the phone exudes class even if it is a budget-orientated world-beater.
But for now, have a look at the phone in its natural habitat — the Gearburn office — and stay tuned for a review pf the Microsoft Lumia 535 coming later this month.
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The 5.0-inch screen is rather large for a budget phone.
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The resolution is decidedly budget but somehow looks better than most.
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The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 allows the light to bounce off the face without issue. It's beautiful.
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Good ol' Windows Phone 8.1 will soon be replaced by Windows 10, but it still looks great.
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The phone's screen is bright enough in daylight, so there shouldn't be much issue there.
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At the rear, we see the biggest change -- that Microsoft moniker.
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Another beauty shot. The phone isn't thin but it's thin enough.
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Buttons on the right hand side of the device controls: the volume rocker and power button.
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At the bottom of the device we find the microUSB charging port.
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Up top, the 5MP camera and flash can be seen while a 3.5mm audio jack completes the view.
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It wouldn't look out of place in most situations.
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There's a fair mound below the camera, but that shouldn't be a major issue.
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Lengthwise, the phone is rather easy to hold with one hand thanks to the slightly rubberised rear.
