Microsoft Lumia 540 Dual Sim Review: Specs, Price And Where To Buy In Uganda

Summary

The Lumia 540 is one of the latest devices from Microsoft the PC software giant after they ended the Nokia branded line of phones and started the Microsoft Lumia line. The Lumia 540 is a dual SIM 3G handset that features a better display, improved camera and a bigger battery i n comparison to it’s predecessor the Lumia 535 . We had about a month with a review unit of this device and now bring you a comprehensive review going into the detail on the specifications, price, where to buy but most importantly our experience with the Lumia 540.

What we liked

• Lots of tweaks and improvements
• Some new awesome apps
• Style-swap covers
• Lumia Selfie app
• Lumia Help + Tips app
• Windows Keyboard experience

What we didn’t Like

• 3 hours to get full charge
• No Corning Gorilla glass
• 8GB ROM is too small
• Not all my favorite apps are available on Windows
• Lot of pre-installed Apps not useful in Africa.

The Unboxing

The Microsoft Lumia comes in a white, thin and minimalist package with images of the Lumia 540 on the front and the back. In the box is the Lumia 540 with a 2200 mAh battery , a pair of earphones a charger and a phone manual to help you get started.

Lumia 540 Specifications

Release Date: April 2015 Operating System: Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim (upgradeable to Windows Phone 10) Dual SIM : Yes (Micro SIM) 4G: NO 3G: YES (HSPA 42mpbs) Display: 5.0 inch IPS LCD 720 x 1280 HD display with a 294 pixel density). Also has Clear black technology Dimensions: 144 x 73.7 x 8.6 mm/152g Battery: Li-Ion 2200 mAh Microsoft removable battery Processor: Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7, Qualcomm Snapdragon 200, Adreno 302 GPU Camera: 8MP back Camera, 3264 x 2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash Video: 480p@30fps, 5 MP front, 480p Memory: 8 GB ROM, 1 GB RAM, microSD, up to 128 GB + 30GB OneDRIVE free cloud storage Features: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot Bluetooth v4.0, A2DP microUSB v2.0 FM Radio GPS with with A-GPS, GLONASS Colors : Orange, white, black, gray, blue

Windows Phone OS has come a long way

Windows Phone 8 OS is without a doubt one of the most beautiful OS’s on the planet. From the days of Windows Phone 7.5 to Windows Phone 8.1, it has really come a long way since it began. Our first Windows Experience was with the LG E900 running Windows Phone 7.5 that had 1Ghz processor with 512MB of RAM and no USSD support.

We then later experienced Windows Phone 8 when we reviewed the Nokia 820 . Even though it was a huge leap from 7.5, we still had issues like lack of a system wide file manager, buggy Internet sharing, delayed bug fixes and updates.

By the time we got to the Lumia 435 , Windows phone had caught up. A lot had improved thanks to Windows Phone 8.1 update. The complaints we had were now centered around more app choices and a few other minor issues compared to before.

What new since Windows Phone 7.5?

So much has been improved. First was USSD support fixed in Windows 8 without which it was hard to load airtime or even use services like mobile money. Internet sharing is now possible and just works unlike back then when it was buggy. A notification center finally came to windows after a lot of complaints.

Initially Windows had no file manager and that just sucked but it was fixed too. More functions and features like multi-tasking, app folders, gesture control (Tap to wake or sleep) were also added. One of the latest features is programmable Soft keys rather than the hard printed capacitive navigation keys. Now you can choose to keep them on the display or hide them if you don’t need them.

navigating around settings used to be a pain b but with the new enhanced settings app, you can now easily navigate settings than before. Cortana Microsoft’s voice assistant competing with Google Now and Siri is also on board. OF course native productivity apps like Office, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive among others have all been added. To spice it all up, with the promise of Windows Phone 10 coming to the Lumia 540 later this year, it can only get better.

Few Popular Apps

One of the biggest challenges with Windows Phone is that there may be no Windows versions of some of your favorite apps. For instance I missed apps like AirDroid, WordPress, Chrome, iMediashare, Pages Manager among others which I use almost daily. So if you have an Android or iOS orientation and are switching to Windows, there are apps you will certainly miss.

This is not to say that there are no awesome Windows apps. There were lots of preinstalled apps we enjoyed and found very useful. Among them were; OneNote, the note taking app. It is one of my favorite and since there are Android and iOS versions, I will be taking this one with me.

I also loved OneDrive that gave me 30GB free storage for my backup. All my photos, videos and documents had a safe and awesome home for free.

We also loved the Apps like Evernote that help you plan and organize your day. Skype integration into Windows is so smooth that it became one of my favorite apps.

Too many pre-Installed apps – I don’t need all of them

There were so many native Windows apps and just so I don’t miss any, I will name them here. Office, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Skype, Cortana, Internet Explorer, Store, Maps, Here DRIVE+, Here Maps, Storage Sense, News, Data sense, Lumia Apps (Creative studio, Camera, Selfie, Help+tips and Storyteller), Photobeamer, Podcasts, Battery Saver, Transfer my data, Mix Radio, Food and Drink, Health and Fitness, Games, Travel, Sports, Money, Wallet and Weather.

Many of these are really awesome apps I wouldn’t live without but overall, I found these to be too many apps especially that I wasn’t using all of them and I couldn’t uninstall them. Many of them were also not relevant in Uganda. They also chewed on the device’s memory leaving me very little for my own consumption. Other apps like Gaana, Olacabs, Paytm, Star sports, Snapdeal seemed to be famous in India but not useful in Uganda fortunately, I could uninstall them.

Available popular apps you will enjoy

Apart from Microsoft apps, these are the other popular apps that you will love. The social trio – Whatsapp, Twitter and Facebook, Instagram, UC Browser, local apps Jumia, Kaymu and Hellofood. Games like Temple Run and Angry birds. Productivity apps like Adobe reader/PDF Reader and Evernote among others.

Good Design but may be it’s time for a change

I have loved Lumia phones for functional and ergonomic designs and the Lumia 540 doesn’t disappoint either. At only 152g/8.6mm the Lumia 540 is still light and slim with enough screen real estate for you to enjoy your device. Unfortunately, we can’t help feeling like it’s time for a design overhaul.

The Lumia 540 isn’t much different from the it’s predecessor the Lumia 535. With rounded corners, it has both the volume and power button on the right hand side of the device. The micro USB port is below with the 3.5mm earphone jack above. At the back is t he speaker at the bottom center and the camera at the top center with an LED flash beside it.

We totally love the glossy style-swap covers that are easy to change. Unfortunately they are fingerprint magnets but we are sure the ladies would love them as it would help them mix and match their wardrobes.

Awesome display but no Gorilla Glass protection

The Lumia 540 sports a 5 inch IPS LCD HD display which has a better resolution than it’s predecessor the Lumia 535. It also has Clear Black Technology that gives a very vivid display enhancing your viewing experience. The wide viewing angles and awesome outdoor visibility (Under sunlight) kept us enjoying the device in different environments. The unfortunate part is that they did add corning Gorilla glass protection like they did with the Lumia 535 making the display easy to scratch.

Performance and Experience

The Lumia 540 is a 1.2Ghz quad-core device with 1GB of RAM and 8GB ROM. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chip set and the Adreno 302 GPU could have been better but they worked just fine. As a mid range Lumia device we expected an average performance but we got better. Throughout our time with the device, we didn’t observe any lag or sluggishness.

Apps are quick to start , games were swift and fluid with no lag. We however had issues with Temple Run 1 that seemed not to have been optimized for the phone because Temple Run 2 worked just fine. We also browsed the web, pictures played music and Videos without any visible hitch.

We experienced general good call quality and for the time we had the device, our overall experience can be considered a smooth one.

Lumia 540 Entertainment

For entertainment, the Lumia 540 has 3 things: A 5 inch HD display for your images, videos and movies, an FM radio, expandable memory (of up-to 128GB) plus games. I particularly enjoyed watching the Bigbang Theory and playing Temple Run.

Awesome Camera for stills and selfies

The Lumia camera is amazing in terms of capability but a little too complicated for the ordinary photography enthusiast who just wants to point shoot and get amazing images. The Lumia 540 that sports an 8MP camera with 1/4 inch sensor, f/2.2 aperture, 28mm focal length and an LED flash has near DSLR functionality allowing you control a lot of camera options.

In daylight, the Lumia 540 shot amazing images but like many smartphone cameras, it suffers in low light with images having a bit of noise. In comparison however, it probably performs better than many mid range smartphones. The Lumia camera also shoots HD videos

Microsoft got something right about their front camera. They call it the “Lumia Selfie”. This camera app utilizes the front camera and software to deliver awesome selfies by auto enhancing the image to give your selfies a boost. We are sure selfie lovers would find this amazing.

Microsoft added the Lumia Creative Studio and storyteller to help edit and share your photos better. We played around and had a lot of fun editing photos using the creative studio. Another plus is that with the Lumia 540 comes 30GB of OneDrive storage to keep all your precious memories in the cloud.

2200 mAh battery that takes long to charge

The Lumia 540 features a 2200 mAh battery. From our tests, the battery lasts about a day with basic use like making a few calls, checking email every now and then and may be a little bit of social media. (This is when Battery Conservation is turned on) With heavy use, the Lumia 540 battery only took us 8 hours. What we hated about the Lumia 540 is how long the battery took to fill up. We conducted several tests and it took 3 hours for the battery to get to 100%.

Microsoft added a native app called “Battery Saver” that can help you save battery. The app helps you monitor what apps are consuming your battery and also conserves battery by limiting certain functionality when the battery goes below a set percentage. With the app turned on, we were able to get a full day’s battery on multiple occasions.

Lumia 540 Tips and tricks

We are working on a separate post that will show you all the Lumia 540 tips and tricks you need to know so check back here for a link to that.

Lumia 540 Price and availability

The Lumia 540 is available in Uganda going for the price of Ugx 575,000 from multiple carriers like Airtel, MTN, Simba Telecom, Midcom among others.

Lumia 540 Vs. Lumia 535 specs comparison

Wrapping it Up

If you are looking for a good first smartphone, the Lumia 540 would be an awesome choice. If you have an Android or iOS orientation, you might face initial difficulty transitioning but with a little bit of time you would begin to discover the wonderful world of Windows.

As one of the latest most affordable devices from Microsoft (in line for the Windows Phone 10 update), the Lumia 540’s good battery, decent camera and lovely display make it one of the best Lumia options available.

The Lumia 540 will be competing with the likes of Tecno, iDroid, Huawei for the mid range device sweet spot. They all have their pros and cons but we will keep you updated on how they all fair. It would have been awesome if Microsoft had spiced up the device with 4G LTE but I guess that’s a discussion for another day.

Lumia 540 Gallery

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About Onyait Odeke

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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.

This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.

This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.

READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”

Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”

The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:

• SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
• Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
• Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
• Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.

Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.

Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]

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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.

The key launches included:

• CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
• MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
• MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
• TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.

Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”

“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”

Laury Bai, TECNO CMO

Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”

James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek

CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography

TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.

Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer

The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”

Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud

The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.

TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability

To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”

Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK

Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.

MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers

The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.

World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14

Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.

TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.

Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm

In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.

The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series

TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.

TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future

Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.

Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.

Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.

With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.

Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]

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