Microsoft Devices Group today dropped a bombshell as it announced the new Lumia 530 at an incredible price of RM355, its most affordable Lumia to date. Running the latest Windows Phone 8.1 update, Microsoft is promising an uncompromised smartphone experience, just as you would using a more expensive Lumia higher up the price range.
The predecessor, Lumia 520, has proven to be a success for Nokia (notice how Microsoft has subtly dropped mentions of Nokia in recent months), specifically in the low-end, sub-RM500 market. In fact, it’s Nokia’s best-seller, clinching #1 spot in several markets. The petite Lumia 520 has single-handedly dominated market share in the Windows Phone platform over the past 12 months. It has even stopped a bullet.
Back to the Lumia 530, then
The Lumia 530 holds a very important mission – to expand the reach of Windows Phone aggressively over the next year. Wider adoption means a richer, more vibrant platform for developers – and in turn more quality apps for consumers. A rather important step for Microsoft to narrow the perceived “app gap” and win hearts of developers and consumers alike.
The cheapest Lumia to date absolutely does not mean skimping on hardware. Just as Nokia has been adept at packaging even its most affordable products as seen in its feature phones, entry level Asha range and previous generation Lumias, the same can be said for the Lumia 530. Perhaps it has even outdone itself this time.
Available in dual-SIM 3G, packing the latest Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Cyan update, featuring a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.2Ghz processsor and 512MB RAM, the Lumia 530 promises plenty of bang for buck for under RM400.
The 4-inch LCD display is adequately bright and sharp, and it also sports a fixed focus 5MP main camera. With the camera, Microsoft has also thrown in its signature Lumia apps – Creative Studio, Glam Me and Pro Camera.
It comes built-in with 4GB of storage, and conveniently also a micro-SD slot that supports cards up to 128GB. 15GB of free cloud storage on OneDrive comes as standard.
Goodbye, Asha
With the coming of the uber affordable Lumia 530, the Asha family is officially end-of-line. It makes perfect sense to have one product line, under one brand as the Lumia. With economies of scale in the distant future hopefully, a sub-RM300 Lumia may even be possible.
The Lumia 530 will be available starting 16 August for an outstanding price of RM355.00 (US$115). Available in bright orange, bright green, white and dark grey variants.
