Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL, a Windows Phone offering from a bygone era, and the Huawei P20 Lite (2019), a popular mid-range Android device. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P20 Lite (2019) generally wins due to its modern Android OS, better software support, and more readily available apps. While the Lumia 950 XL boasts impressive battery life and a unique Windows experience, its aging software and limited app ecosystem make it a less practical choice for most users.
| 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, October. Released 2015, December | 2019, June. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1 mm (5.98 x 3.09 x 0.32 in) | 159.1 x 75.9 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~75.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | ClearBlack display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, triple-LED RGB flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 20 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, stereo sound rec., 1080p@30/60fps (after SW update) | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, sensor core | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Microsoft Continuum support | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | 18W wired |
| Music play | Up to 75 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 25 h (2G) / Up to 19 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3340 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Midnight Black, Crush Blue, Charming Red |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -91.6dB / Crosstalk -89.3dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 47h
| - |
| Display |
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 950 XL Dual SIM
- Exceptional battery life
- Unique Windows Phone experience
- High-resolution OLED display
- Good sunlight readability
- Aging software and limited app support
- Potential thermal throttling issues
- Outdated hardware
- Windows Phone is discontinued
Huawei P20 lite (2019)
- Modern Android OS
- Good camera performance
- Smooth performance
- More readily available apps
- Larger display
- Battery life not as impressive as Lumia 950 XL
- Plastic build quality
- Can be susceptible to bloatware
Display Comparison
The Lumia 950 XL features a larger 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440) OLED display with a reported incredible contrast ratio (Infinite nominal, 3.837 in sunlight). The P20 Lite has a 6.2-inch Full HD+ (2280 x 1080) IPS LCD display. While the Lumia's OLED offers potentially richer colors and deeper blacks, the P20 Lite's larger size might be preferable for media consumption. Sunlight readability is a strong point for both, though the Lumia's reported figures are exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The Lumia 950 XL has a 20MP main camera and a 5MP front camera. The P20 Lite boasts a 16MP + 2MP dual camera setup on the rear and a 16MP front camera. The P20 Lite's dual camera allows for depth-sensing effects and potentially better low-light performance. While the Lumia's camera was capable, the P20 Lite's more modern hardware and software processing generally result in better image quality.
Performance
The Lumia 950 XL is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, a flagship processor from 2015. The P20 Lite utilizes a Kirin 710 chipset. While the Snapdragon 810 had impressive specs on paper, its thermal throttling issues were well-documented. The Kirin 710, built on a more efficient 12nm process, generally provides smoother, more consistent performance in everyday tasks and gaming, despite having a slightly lower peak clock speed. Android's optimization also contributes to the P20 Lite's better perceived speed.
Battery Life
The Lumia 950 XL shines in this category, boasting an endurance rating of 47 hours. The P20 Lite has a 3000mAh battery, which provides a respectable battery life, but falls short of the Lumia's endurance. The Lumia's larger battery capacity and Windows Phone's efficiency contribute to its exceptional battery performance.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Dual SIM? Enthusiasts seeking a unique Windows Phone experience and prioritizing exceptional battery life. Who should buy the Huawei P20 Lite (2019)? Users looking for a reliable, affordable Android phone with a good camera and modern features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lumia 950 XL still worth buying?
Only if you're a dedicated Windows Phone enthusiast or prioritize extreme battery life above all else. Be aware of the limited app support and discontinued software updates.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Huawei P20 Lite (2019) has significantly better software support due to Android's ongoing updates and app ecosystem.
