Microsoft Lumia 650 vs Lumia 950 XL: A Detailed Comparison

Microsoft's Lumia line offered a unique Windows experience, but with a range of models, choosing the right one can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the budget-friendly Lumia 650 against the flagship Lumia 950 XL to see which phone delivers the best value and performance. Let's dive in!

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Lumia 950 XL is the clear winner, boasting significantly superior performance thanks to its Snapdragon 810 chipset and octa-core processor. While the 650 offers impressive battery life, the 950 XL's faster speeds, better camera, and wireless charging make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Microsoft Lumia 650	Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Dual SIM

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
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, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2016, February. Released 2016, February	2015, October. Released 2015, December
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 + 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 (~515 ppi density)
Size	5.0 inches, 67.5 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio)	5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~75.2% 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 47h
Camera	Photo	-
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

Excellent battery life
Affordable price
Durable build quality
Compact size

Underpowered processor
Basic camera
Outdated software
Limited storage

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Dual SIM

Powerful performance
Superior camera
Wireless charging (market dependent)
Larger display
Dual SIM support

Higher price (historically)
Battery life slightly less than 650
Older model - software support limited
Potential for overheating (Snapdragon 810)

Display Comparison

Both Lumias feature displays with a nominal infinite contrast ratio and respectable sunlight readability (3.77-3.837). The 950 XL's screen is slightly larger and likely offers better color accuracy and brightness, though detailed specifications are needed for a definitive comparison. The 650's display is adequate for its price range.

Camera Comparison

While both phones have cameras, the 950 XL's is significantly better. It likely features a higher resolution sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities, resulting in sharper, more detailed photos with better low-light performance. The 650's camera is adequate for basic snapshots but lacks the features and image quality of the 950 XL.

Performance

This is where the 950 XL truly shines. Its Snapdragon 810 chipset and octa-core processor (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) provide a substantial performance boost over the 650's Snapdragon 212 and quad-core Cortex-A7. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the 950 XL.

Battery Life

The Lumia 650 surprisingly holds its own in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 55 hours. However, the 950 XL's 47-hour rating is still respectable, especially considering its more powerful hardware. The 950 XL also benefits from wireless charging capabilities (market dependent), adding to its convenience.

Buying Guide

The Microsoft Lumia 650 is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize long battery life and a simple, reliable smartphone experience. The Lumia 950 XL is best suited for power users who demand high performance, a better camera, and features like wireless charging, even if it comes at a higher price point (considering their age).