The Lumia 535 is the first Windows phone to carry the Microsoft branding and it looks like the same device is all set to hit the Malaysian market pretty soon. It was recently spotted at the SIRIM database, which means the phone is already certified for our local market. The Lumia 535 is the successor to the Lumia 530 budget smartphone. It brings a lot of new upgrades, but retains some features from the earlier generation. For example, the processor remains the same as before with a 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 200 processor. However, Microsoft has increased the RAM capacity from 512MB to 1GB while the internal storage has also been upgraded from 4GB to 8GB. On the front, there is a 5-inch 960 x 540 pixel resolution IPS panel. At the rear, there is a 5MP camera with auto-focus and LED flash. The front camera now features a 5MP wide angle sensor, which should click better selfies than before. Microsoft has also improved the onboard battery to a 1905 mAh capacity one along with dual SIM card slots. Although Microsoft Malaysia has not yet announced any details for Malaysia release or pricing, we expect it to retail around RM400 with a possible Malaysia release date on 4 December 2015.

Microsoft is really offering an interesting smartphone with the official announcement of the Microsoft Lumia 535. The most notable features of the smartphone include a 5MP front camera, 5MP rear camera with LED flash, 5-inch display and an affordable price tag. In one move, it seems like they've shot down several of their own previous Lumia smartphones such as the Lumia 530 and Lumia 730 / Lumia 735. Other tech specs include a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB storage, 5-inch display with 540 x 960 pixel resolution, 5MP rear camera with LED flash, 5MP front camera with wide-angle lens, 1905 mAh battery and coming with Windows Phone 8.1 Lumia Denim. It is also thin and lightweight at 140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8mm and 146g with a dual-SIM version as well. Available in black, bright green, bright orange, cyan, dark grey and white, the Lumia 535 is set for €110 (RM456). No Malaysia release dates or pricing yet, but we expect it to be soon, if not this month then the next. In the meantime check out the video in this article.

The RM355 entry-level Nokia Lumia 530 is now available for just RM57 after you purchase a Nokia Lumia 1520, Lumia 530, Lumia 930 or Lumia 630 in conjunction with Malaysia Day tomorrow. The Malaysia Day Sale will be on from 12 September 2014 to 16 September 2014. So far, there are no other conditions, asides from stock availability and buying from certain stores that include the following:

• Klang Valley
• Vlife Communication (Wangsa Walk Mall)
• URS Telecommunications (Mines Shopping Centre)
• Hello Station (Suria KLCC, Low Yat Plaza, Pavilion, The Gardens, Bangsar Village II)
• Lee Wai Trading (Pertama Complex)
• BBS Distributions (Low Yat Plaza
• Selangor
• Hello Station (1 Utama, The curve, Sunway Pyramid, AEON Bukit Tinggi)
• Gadget Boutique (Paradigm Mall)
• Amber Channel Trading (Digital Mall)
• Others
• Northern Point (Gurney Plaza)
• Speak Phone (Mahkota Parade)
• Incomm Marketing (AEON Tebrau City)
• Tristar Solution Distribution (KBMALL)
• Metro Elctronic Supplies (Centre Point Sabah)
• Allied Marketing (Wisma Saberkas)

Microsoft and Nokia Malaysia recently announced Malaysia Day apps along with a Nokia Lumia 530 smartphone giveaway. Just tell Nokia Malaysia on LINE Messenger how you're going to use the Windows Phone apps in their Malaysia Day Collection for the Malaysia Day Celebrations for a chance to win 1 of 2 Nokia Lumia 530 smartphones. Send your entries from 11 September 2014 to 16 September 2014. Check out the Windows Phone Malaysia Day Collection in the table below:

We recently managed to get a brief hands-on with the Nokia Lumia 530 smartphone. Priced at a super affordable RM355, the device packs in impressive tech specs such as a 1.2Ghz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor with a 4.0-inch display featuring an 854 x 480 pixel resolution. Featuring the full Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Cyan update, this is currently the most affordable Windows Phone in the market. From what we could see of the device was that despite only having 512MB RAM, the smartphone performed quite smoothly, with no lag. Granted, the Lumia 530 is a bit thick, but it still fits nicely into the palm of your hand. Check out our hands-on pics and the full demo video below:

Microsoft recently launched their new Nokia Lumia 530 Dual-SIM smartphone for the masses here in Malaysia. Priced at RM355.00,  the Nokia Lumia 530 has been designed to deliver a connected experience for everyone and at that price should be affordable enough for everyone as well. According to Microsoft, it is their most affordable Windows Phone at the moment and will be available here in Malaysia on 16 August 2014. In terms of design, the Nokia Lumia 530 retains more or less the same colourful polycarbonate backside as other Nokia Lumia smartphones but fits nicely in the hand. The successor for the original value Windows Phone,  the Lumia 520, the Nokia Lumia 530 packs in a number of tech specs which include:

• 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor
• 512MB RAM
• 4GB storage + up to 128GB microSD support
• 4-inch display (FWVGA / 854 x 480 pixels)
• 5MP rear camera (no LED flash, no front camera)
• Features HSPA+, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, microUSB, Nokia Mixradio, HERE Drive+
• 1430 mAh battery
• Windows Phone 8.1 + Lumia Cyan

After shutting down their non-Windows Phone based entry-level smartphones, Microsoft has just announced the Nokia Lumia 530 and Lumia 530 Dual SIM smartphones for the entry-level market. The Nokia Lumia 530 offers tech specs that include a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 200 processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB of storage with up to 128GB microSD support, a 4-inch screen with 480 x 854 pixel resolution, a 5MP rear camera and a 1430 mAh battery. The smartphones will be packing Windows Phone 8.1 right out of the box and support 3G with the Dual SIM version offering the same specs except for an extra SIM slot. We're not sure if it is taking over from the Lumia 525, because honestly speaking, quite a few of it's tech specs are lower-end compared to the Lumia 525. For a complete tech spec comparison check out our Nokia Lumia 525 vs Lumia 530 vs Lumia 530 Dual SIM comparison tool. While there are no specific Malaysia release dates or pricing yet, the Nokia Lumia 530 smartphones are expected to arrive in August 2014 at around $114 (RM361). Check out the official hands-on demo in this article.