We usually don't comment on rumours, but sometimes there's enough evidence and momentum behind one that to not mention it would be remiss. Happily, the FCC data and import documents discovered here do imply that a Microsoft (née Nokia) Lumia 435 will soon be joining the Lumia range, giving me the opportunity to revisit, update and extend my comparison table for current budget Windows Phones. How will the 435 compare with what already exists and what are its chances?

No, no, this is the 530, with almost identical specs to the rumoured 435, which is expected to be very slightly shorter and wider...

From the original NPU article (sic):

So, guys and gals!! Be ready to welcome the latest Lumia family member, the Lumia 435 to the Lumia range, soon. Yes, we can now sort of confirm that Microsoft will take the Lumia range beyond 5XX series and the latest entry-level Lumia will be called Lumia 435.

We also believe that earlier leaked Lumia variants RM-1068, RM-1070, RM-1071, RM-1032, RM-1034  and RM-1069 belong to this device only, which will arrive globally in both Single-Sim and Dual-Sim avatars.

"RM-1068, RM-1070, RM-1071, RM-1032, RM-1034 are the five variants that can be seen in above screenshots taken from FCC certifications of the device. As you can see RM-1068 and RM-1032 are Dual-Sim variants, while other three are Single-sim variants."

With its variants already passing certification in Indonesia and at FCC in USA, the 4-inch Lumia device which may have hardware touch-buttons and comes with a 800 x 480 resolution display (confirmed), looks destined for a sooner release.

The FCC report also reveals size specs of the device and it seems to have 118.1 x 64.7 mm size, which compares to Lumia 530 size specs of 119.7 x 62.3 mm.

Given the Lumia 530's existence, only launched six months ago, the similarly specced 435 would be a bit of a surprise, though the rather excellent value Lumia 535 probably has something to to with it - better to drop down to a different number series altogether for the real budget model. This would be the first time we'd seen a 4xx model and, as many have speculated, will be the Windows Phone that officially replaces the older Asha feature phones, coming in a similar prices yet with vastly greater functionality.

The Lumia 530, as I remarked in my review here on AAWP, only really exists to fill a gap in the very low end of the market (£40 on PAYG in the UK), and the 435 can be thought of a slight tweak to that design for specific markets. Quite possibly getting even lower in price thanks to commoditisation of the parts needed.

Placing the budget offerings in the Lumia range (this time) in model/price order, and again throwing in the Yezz Billy 4.7 as indicative of the non-Microsoft/Nokia OEM competition...

[As before, my approach here - and at this point I have to apologise to anyone viewing this feature ON a Windows Phone - is unashamedly table-based, something which is handled very poorly in the combination of AAWP's dynamic content resizing and Internet Explorer on a phone. Instead, anyone doing such a thing should switch over to a laptop, tablet or even a large screened Android phone, in order to see the whole table. Sorry about that, but hopefully the result is worth it. If you really must view the table on your Windows Phone right now, tap here!]

It's tempting to completely dismiss the (alleged) Lumia 435 and 530 here in Western markets, aside from being disposable smartphones for kids - after all, which of us wouldn't pay an extra £40 or so to pick up a 630 or 535 or similar? £40 here in the UK is about the cost of a meal for two in a modest restaurant, or the price of a tank of fuel for a small car, or perhaps a return train fare to the city and back - in other words, £40 extra isn't a huge amount for most people reading this. However, in developing markets (including India, away from the wealthiest urban areas) the equivalent of £40 extra is a week's food and living expenses - it's all a matter of context.

Also important, strategically, is that the (alleged) 435 would open up a new number series for Microsoft's OS (less confusing for both general punters and marketing managers!) and would launch with Lumia Denim, so there would be no worries over OTA updates in the short term.

Comments welcome, especially if you have any insight on the types of market in which a Lumia 435 might feature. Say what you like about the weaknesses in Windows Phone and even about the hardware compromises needed to get down to this price, a Lumia 435 at £40 on pay as you go is a heck of a lot more useable and future proof than a mashed up feature phone OS, as used by the previous Asha disasters.