Although the Lumia 730, Lumia 735 and Lumia 830 are impressive from our first impressions, as always there are a few caveats about features that are not there. Now, before everyone gets in tizzy about missing features, Microsoft obviously does this to separate out value between devices, or more specifically, the more stuff, the more it costs.
After playing around with the both phones for a little while, we have a partial list of popular Lumia features that are not available. Although these are not 'make or break' features for most people, for some their absence could be a letdown.
I'll leave the editorializing to you folks as I know you like to vent. Personally speaking, although I would like a Lumia with everything, none of what is written below is taming my enthusiasm for either Lumia. I'm of the firm belief that once you hold and use either the Lumia 735 or Lumia 830, the value and experience overcomes any features left on the cutting room table.
Lumia 730/Lumia 735
- Glance – No
- Double tap to wake – Yes
- ClearBlack display – Yes
- Dedicated camera button – No
- Qi wireless – Yes
- Hide on-screen keys – Yes
- Cortana passive-voice activation – No (needs Snapdragon 80x)
- Dolby Digital sound – No
- Dolby Audio levelling – No
- Dolby Dialog enhancer - No
- Virtual Surround sound - Yes
- Flip to silence – Yes
- Graphic equalizer – Yes
- Motion Data – Yes
- Haptic feedback for on-screen keys – Yes
- Sunlight readability – Yes
- Battery Saver brightness – Yes
- Brightness Profile – Yes
- Color Profile – Yes
Lumia 830
- Glance – Yes
- Double tap to wake – Yes
- ClearBlack display – Yes
- Dedicated camera button – Yes
- Qi wireless – Yes
- Cortana passive-voice activation – No (needs Snapdragon 80x)
- Dolby Digital sound – Yes
- Dolby Audio levelling – Yes
- Dolby Dialog enhancer - Yes
- Virtual Surround sound - Yes
- Flip to silence – Yes
- Graphic equalizer – Yes
- Motion Data – Yes
- Haptic feedback for on-screen keys – Yes
- Sunlight readability – Yes
- Battery Saver brightness – Yes
- Brightness Profile – Yes
- Color Profile – Yes
As you can see, with the Lumia 830 you basically get everything that the high-end flagships have, except for more megapixels for the camera, 2 GB of RAM and more expensive Snapdragon processor. However, those are some nitty-gritty details that most consumers would have a tough time explaining the value of to a passerby. What matters is the core experience and from that perspective, the Lumia 830 looks to deliver.
For the Lumia 730, the biggest omission is Glance and Dolby audio support. The Dolby stuff is a big cost due to licensing, and it makes sense to cut that where possible, but the lack of Glance is a real bummer, especially since the Lumia 720 did have it. Still, users get double-tap to wake, Motion Data, ClearBlack display and lots of other perks making the Lumia 730 and Lumia 735 great values.
Does any of the above change your thoughts on either device? Where else could Microsoft cut corners to keep the price low on these phones?
