Leaked Lumia 435 prototype shows at one time Microsoft actually tried

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lumia 435-header

The Lumia 435, released at the beginning of 2015, was one of the lowest points for Windows Phone.  The device, with seriously underwhelming specs such as a 2 megapixel main camera always seemed unnecessary, and was thought by many to be a repurposed Android handset.

It seems however that Microsoft was at one time working at a device that was a real contender, and looked the part.

Some photos have leaked of a device with the ID code ID326-3, which is the same as eventually released as the Lumia 435.

This device however looked a lot better, featuring a styling a lot more reminiscent of the Lumia 930 (but in polycarbonate instead of metal) and unlike the Lumia 435 eventually released actually had a rear flash. It also appears significantly thinner.

For reference for those who forgot, this is what the released Lumia 435 looked like.

Lumia435_Marketing_2_DSIM_thumb.jpg

Despite having more or less ceded the smartphone market, the recently released Lumia 650 shows that low-end smartphones can look good. It was less than 3 months after the release of this device that Microsoft decided to throw in the towel, and I cant help but wonder of the performance of the eventual Lumia 435 had anything to do with it, and if a better design choice would have made a difference.

What do our readers think? Let us know below.

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