Just how low can Microsoft's Lumia series of Windows Phone go? Evidently, very low as the company this morning is unveiling the 'super affordable' Microsoft Lumia 430 dual-SIM Windows Phone. The announcement was teased yesterday and now it has become a reality.
The ultra-budget dual SIM Lumia is destined for select emerging markets this April including India, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus all for just $70 USD.
Although the specifications are on the low side, Microsoft did not cut back in the crucial areas that make smartphones important these days. Accordingly, the Lumia 430 has 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB internal storage (micro SD expansion) and both rear and front-facing cameras for video calls. Even better, the device is slated to get Windows 10 later this year when that OS is released.
Microsoft Lumia 430 Dual SIM Specifications
- Colors: Orange or Black
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
- 4-inch WVGA (800 x480) LCD at 235 PPI
- Networks: GSM/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz WCDMA: 900/2100 MHz
- 1GB RAM
- 8 GB internal storage; micro SD up to 128 GB, 30 GB free OneDrive cloud storage
- 2 MP fixed-focus rear camera; 0.3 MP VGA front-facing camera
- Sensors: Accelerometer, Proximity, Ambient Light Sensor
- 1500 mAh removable battery
- BT 4.0, USB 2.0 Micro-USB connector, A-GPS+GLONASS
- WLAN 802.11 b/g/n
- Size: 120.5 x 63.19 x 10.63 (volumetric) mm
- Weight: 127.9 g
- Standby time: up to 24 days (576 hours); Talk time: up to 7.6 hours (GSM) up to 8.4 hours (3G)
In a press release, Jo Harlow, Microsoft's corporate vice president for Phones had this to say about the intentions of this device launch:
"People around the world have responded enthusiastically to our affordable Lumia range. We continue to invest in this segment to ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy signature Microsoft experiences, regardless of budget.The Lumia 430 Dual SIM continues our commitment to combining the right hardware, software, services and apps with the right price to give people a smartphone they can afford and be proud to use."
Although power users will likely gloss over the Lumia 430 for emerging markets, the budget Windows Phone looks to hit all the right notes for both affordability and desirability. In fact, it looks like a "fixed" Lumia 530, which is missing a front-facing camera, ambient light and proximity sensors, and sports only 512 MB of RAM.
With just a 4-inch display, Microsoft looks to capitalize on those who want a smartphone but not smartphone-prices. Considering this phone is capable of running the same software as a high-end Windows Phone, the Lumia 430 could make a significant impact in emerging markets. Its ability to run Windows 10, of course, future-proofs it for the next few years.
The Lumia 430 follows on the heels of the new Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL, both announced at Mobile World Congress a few weeks ago.
