We often write about smartphones at the top end of the market, but there’s also plenty of choice for those who want a budget handset that does the job. Today we’re looking at two of the most recent arrivals that are attracting attention in this sector of the market, with a Microsoft Lumia 535 vs. Samsung Galaxy Core Prime specs shootout.

Both of these phones have arrived for sale in the last few weeks for various regions and they are available as single SIM or dual SIM versions. For the purposes of this comparison we’re concentrating on the dual SIM versions of the phones. They are similarly priced and one of the main differences is that the Lumia 535 runs Windows Phone while the Galaxy Core Prime is an Android handset. Let’s delve into the specs and more.

Processors
The Lumia 535 Dual SIM has a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 200 quad-core processor and Adreno 302 graphics. The Galaxy Core Prime Dual SIM has a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor and Adreno 306 GPU.

Display
The Lumia 535 has a 5-inch IPS LCD display with resolution of 960 x 540 and 220 ppi. The Galaxy Core Prime has a 4.5-inch display with resolution of 800 x 480 and 207 ppi.

RAM and Storage
Both phones have 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. However, on the Lumia 535 this can be expanded via microSD to 128GB while on the Galaxy Core Prime it can be expanded to 64GB.

Camera set-up
The Lumia 535 has a 5-megapixel rear camera with autofocus, LED flash, and 480p video capture, as well as a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The Galaxy Core Prime has a 5-megapixel rear camera with autofocus, LED flash and 1080p video recording capability, and also a 2-megapixel front-facing unit.

Battery
The Lumia 535 has a removable 1905 mAh battery while the Galaxy Core Prime has a removable 2000 mAh battery.

Connectivity
Both phones support 3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n with WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, GPRS, EDGE, GPS, and microUSB 2.0.

Operating System
The Lumia 535 runs Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim while the Galaxy Core Prime runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

Dimensions and Weight
The Lumia 535 measures 140.2mm x 72.4mm x 8.8mm and weighs 146g. The Galaxy Core Prime measures 130.8mm x 67.9mm x 8.8mm and weighs 130g.

Price
Pricing will vary according to market and retailer, but as a guide we’ll give pricing for India where dual SIM phones are prevalent. The Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM launched at Rs. 9,199 but can sometimes be found cheaper depending on retailer and color option. The Galaxy Core Prime can be seen on sale from around Rs. 9,300.

Looking at the specs is a real swings and roundabouts situation. There are many similarities and even the areas of difference are not too far apart. For example the Lumia 535 has a larger display with higher resolution, a higher level of expandable storage, and a better front facing camera. On the other hand the Galaxy Core Prime is capable of HD video capture and has a slightly higher capacity battery.

There’s no clear winner here, especially given the fact that the pricing is close, so ultimately your decision may come down to preference of the operating platforms, brand preference, and designs. Once you’ve had some time to consider this we’d like to know which one you are more likely to purchase.

Does your pick go to the Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM or the Samsung Galaxy Core Prime Dual SIM? We always appreciate your response.