HP Elite x3 vs. Microsoft Lumia 950: A Deep Dive into Windows Phone Choices
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, albeit dated, Windows Phone, the HP Elite x3 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its newer Snapdragon 820 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Lumia 950’s Snapdragon 808, making it more responsive for everyday tasks. However, the Lumia 950’s superior camera system remains a compelling reason to consider it.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | HP Elite x3 | Microsoft Lumia 950 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 - EMEA |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 20, 29, 30 - Americas | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2016, February. Released 2016, August | 2015, October. Released 2015, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 83.5 x 7.8 mm (6.37 x 3.29 x 0.31 in) | 145 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (5.71 x 2.88 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~494 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~564 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.96 inches, 97.5 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.8 cm2 (~70.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 350 nits (typ) | AMOLED |
| - | ClearBlack display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 530 | Adreno 418 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Zeiss optics, triple-LED RGB flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 1.31µm, PDAF | 20 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, stereo sound rec., 1080p@30/60fps (after SW update) |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Tuned by Bang & Olufsen | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Iris scanner, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, sensor core |
| Microsoft Continuum support | Microsoft Continuum support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired Wireless (Qi) | 18W wired Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 67 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 23 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4150 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gold, Graphite/Chrome | Black, White |
| Price | About 700 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -91.6dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 48h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3512 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 71dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 77dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1281Basemark X: 26330 |
HP Elite x3
- More powerful Snapdragon 820 processor
- Improved thermal efficiency for sustained performance
- Potential for better Continuum support
- Qi wireless charging
- Battery capacity is unknown
- Camera likely inferior to the Lumia 950
Microsoft Lumia 950
- Excellent camera performance, especially in low light
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Reported 48-hour endurance rating
- Qi wireless charging (market dependent)
- Older Snapdragon 808 processor
- Less efficient 20nm process
Display Comparison
Both the HP Elite x3 and Microsoft Lumia 950 share an infinite (nominal) and 3512 (sunlight) contrast ratio, suggesting similar display quality in terms of black levels and outdoor visibility. However, specific details like panel type (AMOLED vs. LCD) and resolution are missing. Given the Lumia 950’s emphasis on media consumption, it likely featured a more vibrant display. The Elite x3, geared towards business, may have prioritized color accuracy over sheer pop. Without further data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Lumia 950’s potential for a more visually engaging experience is noteworthy.
Camera Comparison
While both devices feature photo and video capabilities, the Lumia 950 was heavily marketed for its camera prowess. Details regarding sensor size and aperture are missing, but the Lumia 950 was known for its excellent low-light performance and optical image stabilization (OIS). The Elite x3, while capable, likely prioritized functionality over photographic excellence. The Lumia 950’s image processing algorithms were also more refined, resulting in more natural-looking photos. Without specific sensor details, the Lumia 950 is the clear winner in this category.
Performance
The HP Elite x3’s Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820, built on a 14nm process, represents a significant architectural leap over the Microsoft Lumia 950’s MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20nm). The 820’s quad-core configuration (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) offers superior single-core and multi-core performance compared to the 808’s hexa-core setup (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57). The smaller 14nm node also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Elite x3 will handle demanding applications and multitasking more effectively.
Battery Life
Both devices offer Qi wireless charging, though market availability of this feature on the Lumia 950 was dependent on region. The Lumia 950 boasts an endurance rating of 48 hours, while the Elite x3’s battery capacity is unspecified. However, the Lumia 950’s 18W wired charging is faster than the Elite x3’s 10W charging. Despite the potentially larger battery on the Elite x3, the Lumia 950’s faster charging and reported endurance give it a slight edge, especially considering the Snapdragon 820’s potentially higher power consumption.
Buying Guide
Buy the HP Elite x3 if you need a device that prioritizes sustained performance for productivity tasks and benefits from the potential for Continuum support. Its Snapdragon 820 offers a smoother experience with multitasking and demanding applications. Buy the Microsoft Lumia 950 if you prioritize camera quality above all else, particularly in low-light conditions, and value the potential for a more refined imaging experience, despite the older chipset.