Microsoft Lumia 950 vs Google Pixel 3: A Detailed Comparison of Two Aging Flagships
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Google Pixel 3 is the superior choice. While both phones offer similar battery endurance ratings (69h), the Pixel 3’s significantly more powerful Snapdragon 845 chipset, coupled with Google’s software support (even if end-of-life), provides a smoother and more responsive user experience. The Lumia 950’s aging Windows Phone OS is a major drawback.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM | Google Pixel 3 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | 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, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2015, October. Released 2015, December | 2018, October 09. Released 2018, October 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 145 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (5.71 x 2.88 x 0.32 in) | 145.6 x 68.2 x 7.9 mm (5.73 x 2.69 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 148 g (5.22 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~565 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~443 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~77.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | P-OLED, HDR |
| ClearBlack display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 418 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.0 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, triple-LED RGB flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, stereo sound rec., 1080p@30/60fps (after SW update) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 19mm (ultrawide), no AF |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | 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, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, sensor core | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Microsoft Continuum support | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired Wireless (Qi) | 18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless |
| 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-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 2915 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Clearly White, Just Black, Not Pink |
| Models | - | G013A |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 450 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -71.7dB / Crosstalk -70.1dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 69h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.350 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 77dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 81dB |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 285044 (v7) GeekBench: 8337 (v4.4) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM
- Wireless charging (Qi standard)
- Dual SIM support
- Extremely low price point (in 2024)
- Outdated Windows 10 Mobile OS
- Significantly slower processor
- Limited app availability
Google Pixel 3
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 845
- Excellent camera with Google’s computational photography
- Clean and updated Android experience (though nearing end-of-life)
- No dual SIM support
- Battery nearing end of life (due to age)
- No expandable storage
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar contrast ratio of infinite (nominal) and 4350 in sunlight, suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the Lumia 950’s display specifications are not provided, making a detailed comparison difficult. The Pixel 3’s display, while not featuring cutting-edge technology like LTPO, benefits from Google’s color calibration and image processing, likely resulting in a more accurate and pleasing visual experience. The absence of detailed display specs for the Lumia 950 hinders a complete assessment.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised as having strong photo and video capabilities. However, the Pixel 3’s camera benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography algorithms, including HDR+ and Night Sight. While sensor sizes and lens apertures aren’t specified, the Pixel 3’s image processing consistently delivers superior dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The Lumia 950’s camera, while capable, lacks the software sophistication of the Pixel 3. The Pixel 3’s camera is the clear winner, especially for point-and-shoot simplicity and consistently excellent results.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 3’s Snapdragon 845 (10nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Microsoft Lumia 950’s Snapdragon 808 (20nm). The 845 features an octa-core CPU (4x2.5 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) compared to the 950’s hexa-core configuration (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57). The smaller 10nm process node of the 845 translates to improved thermal efficiency and sustained performance, meaning less throttling during demanding tasks. This benefits gamers and users who frequently multitask. The Pixel 3 will demonstrably outperform the Lumia 950 in virtually all benchmarks and real-world scenarios.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both devices share an endurance rating of 69 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the Lumia 950’s smaller battery capacity (not specified). The Pixel 3 supports 18W wired charging with Power Delivery 2.0 (PD2.0), offering potentially faster and more efficient charging than the Lumia 950’s 18W wired charging and Qi wireless charging. The inclusion of PD2.0 on the Pixel 3 allows for optimized charging profiles with compatible chargers, potentially extending battery lifespan. While endurance is similar, the Pixel 3’s charging technology is more advanced.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM if you specifically need a dual-SIM phone running Windows 10 Mobile and value wireless charging alongside a decent camera at an extremely low price point. Buy the Google Pixel 3 if you prioritize a smooth Android experience, exceptional camera performance, and continued (though limited) software updates, even if it means sacrificing dual-SIM functionality. The Pixel 3 is the better all-rounder for most users.