Microsoft Lumia 650: Windows phone goes budget (again)
Microsoft has taken the wraps off the Lumia 650, pitched squarely at the low-cost crowd.
Microsoft’s last Windows phone release saw the premium-priced Lumia 950 and 950 XL hit the market, but to date it has done more work in the mid and especially budget-priced spaces.
It was widely tipped that Microsoft might use the upcoming Mobile World Congress event to launch new budget range Lumia devices, but it appears that it has decided to get the early jump on handset hype instead. In a blog post, Microsoft’s Samuli Hänninen unveiled the Lumia 650 handset instead.
The Lumia 650 is a Windows Phone device with a decidedly budget viewpoint. Exact pricing wasn’t revealed save for the idea that it will be "under $200 USD". It’s due to go on sale in "selected" European countries soon. Microsoft Australia has stated that "Australian availability and pricing of the Lumia 650 will be shared soon."
At current exchange rates, and taking into consideration that that proposed sub-$200 price point doesn’t include local taxes, were it to launch here it would likely cost around $300.
Here are the rest of the announced specifications for the Lumia 650.
| Microsoft | Lumia 650 |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 5in |
| Storage | 16GB |
| Weight | 122g |
| Processor | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Rear camera | 8MP |
| Front camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 2000mAh |
| Resolution | 720x1280 |
| Display density | 297ppi |
Windows phone devices on contract are few and far between at the moment. Here are all the carriers currently offering the Lumia 650 on their plans:
