MetroPCS To Offer Microsoft Lumia 640 For Just $39 After Instant Rebate

Major carriers in the U.S. are gearing up to offer the inexpensive Microsoft Lumia 640 smartphone. T-Mobile is selling the handset for $129, i.e., $5.41 per month for 24 months, says Phone Arena. But T-Mobile's prepaid service, MetroPCS, apparently has the best deal.

Microsoft Lumia 640 Price, Availability

According to a leaked image of an internal memo picked up by Windows Central, the Microsoft Lumia 640 was to be in MetroPCS stores on Thursday. However, it reportedly won't be released until Monday. The Lumia 640 will cost $129, but MetroPCS customers will receive a $90 instant rebate, making the cost for them just $39.

Microsoft Lumia 640 Specifications, Features

The Lumia 640 comes with a pocket-friendly 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with a 1,280-x-720-pixel resolution. This translates to a modest pixel density of 294 ppi.

The handset is powered by a quad-core (Snapdragon 400) SoC running at 1.2 GHz and backed by 1 GB of RAM unit. The smartphone runs on the Windows Phone 8.1 OS. The Lumia Denim firmware update also is part of the OS package.

The device has 8 GB of built-in storage capacity and a microSD card slot for expansion of up to 128 GB. The handset is 8.8 mm, or .35 inches, thick and it weighs only 145 grams, or about 6 ounces. Microsoft reportedly used Corning Gorilla Glass 3 to protect the display. The ClearBlack display technology is apparently part of the smartphone, ensuring a stunning viewing experience.

The wallet-friendly Lumia 640 features an 8 MP rear-facing primary unit with LED flash. But then, the front-facing snapper for selfies is a letdown, as it houses only a 1 MP sensor. The handset has a modest 2,500 mAh battery unit capable of running up to 17½ hours of talk time and 864 hours of standby time.