Unboxing Budget Smartphones: A Comparative Analysis of Microsoft Lumia 635 and Moto E

As we begin our unboxing journey, we're presented with two budget smartphones that promise to deliver quality at an affordable price. The first device we'll be reviewing is the Microsoft Lumia 635, paired with its second-generation counterpart, the Moto E. With a price tag of $50, expectations are modest, but we'll delve into what each phone has to offer.

Upon unboxing the Lumia 635, we're greeted with a standard fare of accessories, including a MicroUSB power adapter, paperwork, and the battery itself. The device also boasts a removable back panel, which is essentially the entire shell. While this feature offers flexibility for users who want to customize their phone's look, it can be a bit tricky to remove. Inside the Lumia 635, we find the SIM slot and MicroSD expansion, as well as the ability to install a removable battery. In contrast, the Moto E features a swappable bezel, which is easier to remove than the Lumia 635's back panel. The Moto E also has slots for a SIM and MicroSD, but lacks a swappable battery.

When it comes to build quality, both devices fall short of expectations at $50. However, the Lumia 635 does manage to look more premium, with a glossy plastic shell that resembles the iPhone 5c. While this may make it more prone to fingerprints, the overall feel is still decent and thinner than the Moto E. The Moto E, on the other hand, boasts a curved back that fits comfortably in the hand, although its rounded design makes it slightly more bulky. The ridged bezel provides a solid grip, making the phone easy to hold.

Moving on to the screens, both devices offer 4.5-inch displays, but with notable differences. The Moto E has a higher resolution of 960p compared to the Lumia 635's 854p display. Additionally, the Moto E edges out the Lumia in terms of brightness and color accuracy. However, it's essential to note that neither phone's screen quality is comparable to flagship devices.

When it comes to audio, the Moto E features a front speaker, while the Lumia 635 has a rear speaker. While both are not exceptional, they're passable for budget smartphones. The Lumia 635 does surprise with its loudness, although the tiny opening for the speaker can make it easy to accidentally block the sound.

One of the most significant differences between these two devices lies in their software. The Lumia 635 runs on Windows Phone, whereas the Moto E utilizes Android. While Windows Phone has not progressed as quickly as iOS and Android, it still offers unique features like Live Tiles and improved multitasking capabilities. However, app support is a major drawback, with many popular apps like Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify lacking quality or updates.

The biggest issue with Windows Phone, in general, is the limited app selection, particularly when it comes to Google apps. Users who are deeply invested in Microsoft's ecosystem may find this less of an issue, but for most people, the Moto E's Android 5.1 operating system offers a more extensive range of apps and features. The Moto E also boasts slightly better specs, with a newer quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor and double the memory compared to the Lumia 635.

Both phones come equipped with eight gigabytes of storage, although this can be depleted once everything is set up. For users who plan on using their phone for basic tasks, the storage capacity may not be an issue. However, those who want to store more files or applications will need to supplement with a MicroSD card. In terms of cameras, both devices rock five-megapixel sensors, which can produce decent shots but lack color and dynamic range.

The Moto E's camera app is surprisingly solid, offering features like a double twist to open the camera, making it easy to access the camera quickly. The Lumia 635's camera app, on the other hand, is far superior in terms of quality and functionality. One notable feature that the Moto E lacks is a front-facing camera, although this may not be a deal-breaker for everyone.

In conclusion, both devices have their strengths and weaknesses, but ultimately, the choice between them depends on individual preferences and ecosystem commitments. While the Lumia 635 offers a more premium build and solid performance, its app selection limitations might make it less appealing to some users. The Moto E, with its Android operating system and better specs, may be a safer bet for those who prioritize app support and user experience. Regardless of which device is chosen, it's undeniable that $50 smartphones have made significant strides in delivering quality at an affordable price point.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enHey guys, this is Austin. Can you get a decentsmartphone for $50? For this one I pickedup the Microsoft Lumia 635 along with thesecond generation Moto E. At this price youshouldn’t expect a crazy unboxing but youdo get what you need out of the box, the Lumiahas a MicroUSB power adapter, some paperworkand the battery. Move over to the Moto E andit’s the same story, you have a power adapterand plenty of manuals for you to never read.The Lumia has a removable back but it’sa little tricky to take off, it’s essentiallythe entire shell. Inside you’ll find theSIM slot and your MicroSD expansion on topof being able to install the removable battery.The Moto E uses a swappable bezel which isa lot easier to remove. There’s no swappablebattery but you do have slots for a SIM andMicroSD. For $50 you shouldn’t expect crazybuild quality but there’s not a lot to complainabout. The Lumia 635 actually looks a lotlike the iPhone 5c which isn’t a bad thing,it’s rocking a glossy plastic shell whichmight be a fingerprint magnet but it feelspretty decent. There’s a surprising senseof quality, everything is nice and tight andit’s noticeably thinner than the Moto E.The E is no slouch though with a curved backthat fits nicely in the hand, it’s a littlepudgy but the ridged bezel gives you a solidgrip. Personally I prefer the brighter colorsand thinner build of the Lumia but neitherphone really feels its’ price. Get to thescreens and it’s a slightly different story.Both have 4.5 inch screens and here the MotoE has the edge with a higher res 960p displaycompared to 854 on the Lumia. The E edgesout the Lumia in brightness and color as wellbut in real use they’re totally fine, comparedto a flagship things look a little rough butI’ve seen far worse screens on budget devices.The Moto E has a front speaker where the Lumiahas a rear speaker and they’re not bad atall. The 635 gets surprisingly loud althoughwith such a tiny opening for the speaker it’sa little too easy to accidentally block yourmusic. One of the biggest differences is insoftware, the Lumia runs Windows Phone wherethe Moto E uses Android. While Windows Phonehasn’t progressed as quickly as iOS andAndroid it still has a lot going for it. Evenon fairly low end hardware it’s downrightsnappy, things like Live Tiles are uniqueand features like multitasking and notificationshave come a long way. The biggest downsideare apps, you’ll find the basics like Twitter,Instagram and Spotify but generally the qualitycan’t match Android. Most apps aren’tupdated as often and a lot just aren’t hereat all, the biggest of which being Googleapps. There are workarounds but unless you’redeep in Microsoft’s ecosystem the app selectionis going to be a problem. On the flip sidethe Moto E runs Android 5.1 where app supportis definitely not an issue. Motorola takesa light touch to Android, giving you a nearstock build with a few useful additions likeActive Display to show notifications. If you’veever used an Android phone you should be rightat home, something simple like having an officialYouTube app makes a big difference. The MotoE also has slightly better specs with a newerquad core Snapdragon 410 vs 400 and doublethe memory but to be fair Windows Phone seemsto be perfectly happy to run on the lowerspecs. Each phone has eight gigabytes of storagebut once everything is setup you’re lookingat roughly three gigs left, for anything besidesthe most basic use you’ll definitely wantto pick up a MicroSD card. Both phones arerocking five megapixel cameras and this isone of the biggest places where the budgetis noticeable. You can pull off a decent shotwith each camera but you’ll want to haveplenty of light, with such tiny sensors colorand dynamic range just can’t hold up tohigher end smartphones. Video is the samestory, they both max out at 720p which isfine for a quick clip to share but won’tbe useful for much else. There are some coolfeatures like a double twist to open the cameraon the Moto E and the surprisingly solid LumiaCamera app which is so much better than theMotorola Camera app. One thing the Moto Gdoes have going for it though is a front facingcamera, it might not be a great one but itat least exists. As much as I like the Lumiathe biggest issue is app support. If you canlive with Windows Phone it’s hard to arguewith the 635 but for most people the MotoE is a safer bet. Regardless of which wayyou go though it’s incredibly impressiveat just how good $50 smartphones can be.\n"