Microsoft Lumia 950 XL vs Oppo A15s: A Detailed Showdown

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two very different devices against each other: the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL, a Windows Phone flagship from years past, and the Oppo A15s, a modern budget Android offering. Let's see which one comes out on top.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Lumia 950 XL boasts superior performance and a stunning display, but its age and Windows OS are drawbacks. The Oppo A15s offers a modern Android experience and better software support at a lower price. For most users, the A15s provides better value.

PHONES
Phone Names	Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Dual SIM	Oppo A15s

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 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40	1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
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	2020, December 18. Released 2020, December 18
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)	164 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	165 g (5.82 oz)	177 g (6.24 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 4	-
Resolution	1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size	5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~75.2% screen-to-body ratio)	6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED	IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ)
	ClearBlack display	-

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57)	Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm)	Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
GPU	Adreno 430	PowerVR GE8320
OS	Microsoft Windows 10	Android 10, ColorOS 7.2

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC
Internal	32GB 3GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
	eMMC 5.0	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	Zeiss optics, triple-LED RGB flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	20 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, AF, OIS	-
Triple	-	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	4K@30fps, stereo sound rec., 1080p@30/60fps (after SW update)	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	5 MP, f/2.4	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
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
NFC	Yes	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio
USB	USB Type-C 3.1	microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, sensor core	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
	Microsoft Continuum support	-

Battery
Charging	18W wired Wireless (Qi) (market dependent)	10W 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 4230 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Dynamic Black, Fancy White
Models	-	CPH2179
Price	About 350 EUR	About 130 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

Superior Performance
Excellent Display
Potentially Better Camera
Impressive Battery Life

Outdated Software (Windows Phone)
Limited App Availability
Older Device - Potential Hardware Issues
No Official Updates

Oppo A15s

Modern Android OS
Better Software Support & Updates
More Affordable
Reliable Performance for Everyday Tasks

Lower Performance than Lumia 950 XL
Less Impressive Display
Slower Charging (10W)
Potentially Shorter Battery Life

Display Comparison

The Lumia 950 XL's display is a standout feature. Its OLED panel offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and an impressive contrast ratio (nominally infinite, 3.837 in sunlight). The Oppo A15s has a standard LCD display, which is adequate but lacks the Lumia's premium feel and color accuracy. Sunlight visibility is also better on the Lumia.

Camera Comparison

While specific camera specs are missing for both, the Lumia 950 XL likely had a better camera sensor and image processing capabilities due to its flagship status. The Oppo A15s likely has a more modern software implementation, potentially improving low-light performance. However, the Lumia's hardware advantage likely gives it an edge in overall image quality.

Performance

Here, the Lumia 950 XL takes a significant lead. Its Snapdragon 810 chipset was flagship-level when released and still offers considerably more processing power than the Oppo A15s' Helio P35. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Lumia. The A15s is sufficient for everyday tasks but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Lumia 950 XL claims an impressive 47-hour endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery life. The Oppo A15s, with its smaller battery and less power-efficient chipset, likely offers a shorter battery life, though still adequate for a full day of moderate use.

Buying Guide

The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is for enthusiasts who appreciate Windows Phone and want a powerful, albeit older, device. The Oppo A15s is ideal for budget-conscious users seeking a reliable Android phone with decent features and long-term software updates.