Microsoft Lumia 532

Microsoft has done a brilliant job since finalizing the acquisition of Nokia s devices unit last year. Recognizing that Windows Phone has most of its market share in the budget segment, Microsoft rolled out a series of affordable devices targeting the 5,000 to 10,000 segment in the country. The Lumia 532 is the latest addition in the Lumia family, and fleshes out the now-aging 5xx series.

One offshoot of launching so many models in the entry-level category is that it gets confusing to customers when choosing a new handset? In a series of months, Microsoft launched the Lumia 535, the Lumia 435, the Lumia 430, the Lumia 540 and the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL.

Making matters even more difficult is the fact that most devices offer a similar set of hardware. You re likely to find a quad-core Snapdragon 200, and in a few cases the Snapdragon 400, powering the devices. The RAM is the same across the board at 1GB. 8GB storage and microSD card slot are also all standard across the board.

So what s different? Well, in the case of the Lumia 532, you get a 5MP camera at the back and a VGA camera at the front. Go for the Lumia 535 and you ll get a 5MP camera at the front and back. The costlier Lumia 640 on the other hand, come with an 8MP camera at the back and a paltry 1MP shooter up front. The screen size is also a differentiator, with the Lumia 532 boasting a 4-inch screen with a resolution of 800 x 480, while the Lumia 535 features a 5-inch qHD (960 x 540) screen.

It is likely that the confusion was caused by the shift from Nokia to Microsoft, with most devices that were underway finally rolled out of the gate in a burst by the Redmond giant. So, which Lumia should you get? If you re looking for affordability, the Lumia 532 may well be your best bet. If you cannot live without a 5MP camera at the front, opt for the larger Lumia 535. The state of Windows Phone is such that no matter the minute differences in hardware, you will be guaranteed a consistent software interface, which is what matters the most in this segment.