The Microsoft Lumia 650 and 950 XL represent opposite ends of the Windows Phone spectrum. The 650 aimed for affordability and essential functionality, while the 950 XL was Microsoft’s attempt at a no-compromise flagship. With both devices now aging, understanding their differences is crucial for anyone considering a dive into the classic Windows Phone ecosystem, or seeking a cheap device for experimentation.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user today, the Lumia 950 XL is the better choice, despite its age. Its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 810 chipset and superior camera capabilities offer a far more versatile experience. While the 650 boasts slightly better endurance, the 950 XL’s features outweigh this advantage.
| 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 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40 - EMEA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 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, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, February. Released 2016, February | 2015, October. Released 2015, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 142 x 70.9 x 6.9 mm (5.59 x 2.79 x 0.27 in) | 151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1 mm (5.98 x 3.09 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 122 g (4.30 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~297 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 67.5 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~74.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | AMOLED |
| | ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909v2 Snapdragon 212 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Zeiss optics, triple-LED RGB flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | 20 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30fps, stereo sound rec., 1080p@30/60fps (after SW update) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, sensor core |
| | - | Microsoft Continuum support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 75 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 624 h (3G) | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 25 h (2G) / Up to 19 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3340 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.6dB / Crosstalk -89.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 55h
|
Endurance rating 62h
|
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.77(sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.837 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 74dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 84dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1472Basemark X: 32178 |
Microsoft Lumia 650
- Longer endurance rating (55h)
- More affordable price point
- Compact and lightweight design
- Significantly weaker processor
- Inferior camera performance
- Slower charging speeds
Microsoft Lumia 950 XL
- Powerful Snapdragon 810 processor
- Superior camera capabilities (photo & video)
- Faster 18W wired charging and Qi wireless charging
- Slightly lower endurance rating (62h)
- Potentially prone to thermal throttling
- Higher initial cost
Display Comparison
Both the Lumia 650 and 950 XL feature displays with an 'Infinite' nominal contrast ratio, a common marketing term that doesn't translate to quantifiable real-world performance. However, the 950 XL edges out the 650 in sunlight readability with a contrast ratio of 3.837 compared to the 650’s 3.77. This suggests slightly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. Details regarding panel technology (IPS, AMOLED) and resolution are missing, but given the price points, both likely utilized IPS LCDs. Bezels were typical for the time, and color accuracy wasn't a primary focus for either device.
Camera Comparison
The Lumia 950 XL clearly dominates in the camera department. While both phones are listed as having 'Photo' capabilities, the 950 XL adds 'Video' functionality, implying more robust video recording options. The 950 XL’s camera system likely included features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and a larger sensor, allowing for better low-light performance and more detailed images. The 650’s camera was adequate for basic snapshots, but lacked the advanced features and image quality of its flagship counterpart. The absence of sensor size or aperture details limits a precise comparison, but the 950 XL was marketed as a camera-centric device.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Lumia 650’s Qualcomm MSM8909v2 Snapdragon 212, with its quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, was designed for entry-level smartphones. In contrast, the Lumia 950 XL boasts the Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810, an octa-core processor (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57). The 810’s more advanced architecture and higher clock speeds translate to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle more demanding applications. The 950 XL’s 20nm manufacturing process is also more efficient than the 650’s 28nm process, potentially contributing to better thermal management, though the 810 was known to throttle under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both devices offer comparable endurance ratings, with the Lumia 650 achieving 55 hours and the 950 XL reaching 62 hours. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The 950 XL’s larger battery capacity (specific mAh not provided) combined with its 18W wired charging and optional Qi wireless charging provides a more convenient and faster charging experience. The 650 likely had a slower charging rate. While the 650’s slightly longer endurance rating is noteworthy, the 950 XL’s faster charging and wireless charging capabilities offer a more practical benefit for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 650 if you need a basic, reliable device for calls, texts, and light app usage, prioritizing long battery life and a compact form factor. Buy the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL if you prefer a more powerful device capable of handling demanding apps, capturing high-quality photos and videos, and benefiting from faster charging and wireless charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 in the Lumia 950 XL known to overheat?
Yes, the Snapdragon 810 was notorious for thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads, such as prolonged gaming or video recording. While the Lumia 950 XL included cooling solutions, users may still experience performance drops during extended use. This is a trade-off for the processor's raw power.
❓ Does the Lumia 650 support any form of fast charging?
No, the Lumia 650 does not support fast charging technologies like Quick Charge. Charging is likely limited to standard 5W charging, resulting in significantly longer charge times compared to the Lumia 950 XL.
❓ Can the Lumia 950 XL be used with modern wireless chargers?
Yes, the Lumia 950 XL supports the Qi wireless charging standard. It should be compatible with most Qi-enabled wireless chargers available today, offering a convenient charging solution.
❓ Given their age, are software updates still available for either device?
Officially, Microsoft ended support for Windows Phone in 2019. Neither the Lumia 650 nor the Lumia 950 XL receive official software updates. However, the community has created custom ROMs and tools to keep these devices functional, but this requires advanced technical knowledge.
