The Lumia 950 and Lumia 1020 represent different eras of Windows Phone. The 1020 was a camera powerhouse, while the 950 aimed for modern performance. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lumia 1020 remains a compelling choice for photography enthusiasts due to its exceptional camera and incredible battery life. However, the Lumia 950 offers significantly better performance and a more modern feature set, making it the better all-around device for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-875, RM-877 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - RM-875 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 17 - RM-877 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, October. Released 2015, December | 2013, July 11. Released 2013, July 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 145 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (5.71 x 2.88 x 0.32 in) | 130.4 x 71.4 x 10.4 mm, 96.9 cc (5.13 x 2.81 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~565 ppi density) | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~332 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~61.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | ClearBlack display | PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus |
| GPU | Adreno 418 | Adreno 225 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradable to 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM (Telefonica exclusive) |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, triple-LED RGB flash, panorama, HDR | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon & LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 41 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/1.5", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, stereo sound rec., 1080p@30/60fps (after SW update) | 1080p@30fps, 4x lossless digital zoom |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | 1.2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE/ aptX after WP8 Denim update |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, sensor core | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | Microsoft Continuum support | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
Wireless (Qi) | - |
| Music play | Up to 67 h | Up to 63 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) | Up to 19 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable (BV-5XW) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Yellow, white, black, red (AT&T exclusive) |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.23 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.76 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 61h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 2.103 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB
|
Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM
- Faster Performance
- Larger, Vibrant Display
- Modern Features (Continuum)
- Fast Charging
- Shorter Battery Life
- Older Software Support (limited)
Nokia Lumia 1020
- Exceptional Camera Quality
- Incredible Battery Life
- Excellent Sunlight Readability
- Compact Size
- Slower Performance
- Outdated Processor
- Smaller Display
- Limited Software Updates
Display Comparison
The Lumia 950 boasts a 5.2-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 768, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Lumia 1020 has a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 768. While both have excellent sunlight readability (contrast ratio of 2103), the 950's larger size and AMOLED technology provide a more immersive and visually appealing experience.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Lumia 1020 truly shines. Its 41MP PureView camera was revolutionary, capturing incredible detail and offering exceptional image quality, especially in low light. While the Lumia 950 has a capable 20MP camera, it doesn't match the 1020's photographic prowess. The 1020's oversampling technology and dedicated camera hardware give it a distinct advantage.
Performance
The Lumia 950's Snapdragon 808 chipset and hexa-core processor deliver significantly faster performance than the Lumia 1020's Snapdragon S4 Plus and dual-core processor. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 950. The 950 also benefits from more modern RAM and storage configurations.
Battery Life
The Lumia 1020's endurance rating of 61 hours is remarkable, showcasing its exceptional battery efficiency. The Lumia 950, while supporting 18W fast charging, doesn't achieve the same level of battery longevity. The 1020's older, less power-hungry components contribute to its superior battery performance.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM? Users prioritizing performance, a larger screen, and modern features. Who should buy the Nokia Lumia 1020? Photography lovers who value image quality above all else and don't mind an older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lumia 950 still worth buying?
It depends. If you need a capable Windows Phone with decent performance, it can be a good option. However, software support is limited, so consider that before purchasing.
❓ What is Continuum on the Lumia 950?
Continuum allows the Lumia 950 to function as a desktop computer when connected to an external display, keyboard, and mouse.
❓ Can I still get software updates for either of these phones?
Software updates for both devices are largely discontinued. While some community-driven efforts exist, official support has ended.
