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Microsoft has unveiled three new budget smartphones today, the Lumia 435, Lumia 532 and Lumia 535, all targeted at developing nations, where Microsoft is... Microsoft Launches Affordable Lumia 435 and 532 Running Windows Phone

Microsoft has unveiled three new budget smartphones today, the Lumia 435, Lumia 532 and Lumia 535, all targeted at developing nations, where Microsoft is throwing all of its money at hthe moment.

lumia-435

The Lumia 435 is the most exciting in the pack, since it will start at just $79 (£52). The Lumia 435 packs a WVGA (800 x 480) display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage (128GB through expandable storage) and 2MP camera.

For an additional $10, customers can upgrade to a quad-core processor and 5MP camera with the Lumia 532. The Lumia 535 adds a 5-inch display (still 800 x 480) and 5MP rear and front cameras, and costs $99 ($10 more than Lumia 532).

All three smartphones come with a 1500mAh battery, dual-SIM support and Microsoft’s suite of software, including:

  • Office: Word, Powerpoint, OneNote and Outlook,
  • 30GB of OneDrive cloud storage
  • Skype
  • HERE Maps

The Lumia 435 is the cheapest Windows Phone currently available on the market, and has pretty decent specs  for its off-contract price. The Lumia 535 is also a big deal for customers who want an extra inch of screen size, but still at an affordable price.

Of course, like most Lumia devices recently, Microsoft is aiming to win the South-East Asian, Latin American and Eastern European markets with the smartphones. Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella seems to believe acquiring the low-end will bring more opportunities than fighting in the high-end.

The price puts Microsoft in an optimal position to win in markets like India, where the Lumia 435 beats the Moto G, Xiaomi Redmi and recently announced Samsung Z1. However, without the brand recognition of Nokia to keep Microsoft relevant in India, it might have a harder time selling units.