Microsoft Lumia 535 First Look: Windows Low-end Budget Smartphone Market goes from Boring to Bold

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<div class="clear"></div><div class="review-content-navigation"><div class="review-content-pag"><select class="review-content-pagination-selbox" name="reviewSelect" id="reviewSelect" onchange="if (this.value) window.location.href=this.value" ><option value="/mobile/microsoft-lumia-535-first-look-lovely-smartphone-do-we-need-to-say-more-news-020860.html" selected="selected">PAGE 1 OF 4: Form Factor & Operating System</option><option value="/mobile/microsoft-lumia-535-first-look-lovely-smartphone-do-we-need-to-say-more-news-2-020861.html">PAGE 2 OF 4: Processor & Benchmark</option><option value="/mobile/microsoft-lumia-535-first-look-lovely-smartphone-do-we-need-to-say-more-news-3-020862.html">PAGE 3 OF 4: Camera & Video</option><option value="/mobile/microsoft-lumia-535-first-look-lovely-smartphone-do-we-need-to-say-more-news-4-020863.html">PAGE 4 OF 4: Battery Life & Verdict</option></select></div></div>

Enough has been said and written about Xiaomi. Now, let's talk about Microsoft - a traditional American brand whose ideology and tested methods are still so much reverent in this day and age.

Having championed its potential in the previous years, the software giant now aims to become a popular player in the handset business.

Microsoft Lumia 535 First Look

Earlier this year they acquired Nokia's handset division for $7.2 billion. Six-months after closing its acquisition of Nokia's devices business, Microsoft has finally started to sell its own branded handsets, under the name "Microsoft Lumia". The move away from Nokia branding for its Windows phone lineup is not surprising at all. Yes, of course, it may seem a bit awkward, but slowly and gradually - everyone will accept it.

Microsoft Lumia 535 First Look

Once again, Nokia is no more. Meanwhile, the Lumia lineup of smartphone still exists; the Lumia 535 is the first device branded by Microsoft. The newly launched handset will go on sale in India, starting November 28. The legitimate successor to the Lumia 530 is priced at Rs. 9,199.

Microsoft Lumia 535 First Look

Microsoft's first branded smartphone, the Lumia 535, takes the fight to its arch Android rivals with a bigger screen, reliable software and affordable pricing.

Microsoft Lumia 535 First Look

Should you buy the Microsoft Lumia 535? The question seems, however, relevant since there's an influx of budget smartphones these days. So let's find out if Microsoft's ambitious budget offering is really worth the hype.

Microsoft Lumia 535: Form Factor, Design, Display and Operating System

The device follows the same design language, with a plastic made polycarbonate back shell, extending to curvy edges. The Lumia 535's design is so much inspiring; it's been extensively crafted out of polycarbonate plastic chassis with edges being rounded off carefully. Compared to its predecessor, the Lumia 535 is slimmer and more compact in nature. It feels perfect to hold, a rarity in smartphones these days.

Microsoft Lumia 535 First Look

The core design hasn't changed much, though we found it even more expressive. As usual, you'll get to see the device in various bold colors. Users can even remove the rear back cover, but we would prefer the back side to be less glossy and fingerprint magnet.

Microsoft Lumia 535 First Look

On paper the Lumia 535 has a 5-inch qHD display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Yes indeed, the screen is huge, but the resolution is a qHD (960 x 540) - less than HD (720p). The handset certainly joins the ranks of big screen phones. However, the Lumia 535's screen doesn't support HD resolution.

Microsoft Lumia 535 First Look

Although the screen is incredibly large, but colors appears to be above average and web pages looks fine. Most native metro UI and icons continue looking crisp on the Lumia 535's display.

Like its predecessor, the Lumia 535 runs on Windows Phone 8.1 with new Denim update. Windows Phone 8.1 now brings in an option to resize the width of live tiles and offers the new ‘Action Center', among many other added features.

Microsoft Lumia 535 First Look

Strategically, the Lumia 535 is a solid weapon to promote Microsoft's first-party applications. The phone comes with a couple of pre-loaded apps, including MS Office, OneNote, OneDrive, Skype and Xbox.

Microsoft Lumia 535 First Look

Just in case, if you to know more: MS Office is now available of free across the entire Lumia range of devices. And the company won't charge you for editing or viewing documents.

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