Rd. Alexander
Microsoft finally launched its first Windows Phone 8.1 in Nokia Lumia 630, the first ever of its dual-SIM phone too. While the Windows 8.1 is definitely seen as a refreshing OS from the its predecessor, the Windows 8, the phone is also seen as a perfect elder brother and replacement of Lumia 520, the best selling WP smartphone.
However, the smartphone market in India is tough as it is dominated by South Korean giant Samsung followed by local company, Micromax Mobile.
While Samsung is the ultimate smartphone king of the world, Micromax Mobile is seen as a tough competitor in the Indian smartphone market considering they seem to understand the market very well - best of features with best of competitive price.
All these will make it all the more harder for Nokia to succeed in the market where it has lost ground. Moreover, though Lumia 630 promises great features and a competitive price tag, there are certain areas where it could fail to survive in the market.
Let's take a look at some of the areas/features that could let Lumia 630 down.
RAM: Windows 8.1 doesn't require as much of RAM for apps or process. However, with many budget smartphones offering as much as 1GB of RAM against 512MB by Lumia 630, the Nokia phone could fail in this area for those who are fascinated with higher RAM. For those technically aware of Windows and RAM, it would be fine but not to the common man.
No front camera and Flash: 'Selfie' is the new craze and for its lovers, no front-facing camera is a big turn off. Moreover, no flash means no photo in poor light. It means that camera lovers looking for a good phone will have to turn towards other various phones which offer flash. For instance, Micromax Canvas 2.2 offers front-facing camera and LED flash at almost the same price as Lumia 630.
Windows: Not the best of excuse considering Windows is an amazing operating system. However, with Android leading the market and the common man getting familiar with it, Nokia will again find it hard to compete against Google's OS. But there is no denying that Windows 8.1 sure offers a range of exciting features with it that users will find interesting.
Moto G: A budget smartphone that changed everyone's view on the once 'dead' Motorola; a phone that has revolutionised the way companies will start manufacturing their smartphones. Moto G has all the features that are available in high-end smartphone but is offered at the most competitive of all prices - Rs 12,499 for 8GB variant and Rs 13,999 for 16GB variant. With its features, Moto G is too big a competition for Lumia 630.
Cortana: Lumia 630 is the first Windows Phone to be launched with a voice operating assistance - Cortana, Microsoft's answer to Apple's Siri and Google's Now. But sadly, this feature will not be available directly in the Lumia 630 variant meant for Indian market. This is a big turn off despite the fact that is a great development for the phone, though it could be made available through change of settings.
Having said that, it is too early to write off Lumia 630. It will definitely hold on its own in the market though the competition will really be tough. Only if the Finnish handset maker understood the Indian market better.
