Lumia 950 XL vs. Lumia 950: A Deep Dive into Microsoft's Flagship Windows Phones
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lumia 950 XL is the superior choice. Its larger battery providing a 62-hour endurance rating, coupled with the more powerful Snapdragon 810 chipset, delivers a noticeably smoother and longer-lasting experience. While the 950 remains a capable device, the XL’s advantages justify the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Microsoft Lumia 950 XL | Microsoft Lumia 950 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | 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, 20, 28, 38, 40 - EMEA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 - EMEA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - USA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2015, October. Released 2015, November | 2015, October. Released 2015, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1 mm (5.98 x 3.09 x 0.32 in) | 145 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (5.71 x 2.88 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~564 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~74.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.8 cm2 (~70.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 418 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, triple-LED RGB flash, panorama, HDR | Zeiss optics, triple-LED RGB flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 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) | 4K@30fps, stereo sound rec., 1080p@30/60fps (after SW update) |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, sensor core | Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, sensor core |
| Microsoft Continuum support | Microsoft Continuum support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | 18W wired Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 75 h | Up to 67 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 25 h (2G) / Up to 19 h (3G) | Up to 23 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3340 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -91.6dB / Crosstalk -89.3dB | Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -91.6dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 62h | Endurance rating 48h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.837 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3512 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 74dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 84dB | Voice 71dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 77dB |
| Performance | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1472Basemark X: 32178 | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1281Basemark X: 26330 |
Microsoft Lumia 950 XL
- Significantly longer battery life (62h endurance)
- More powerful Snapdragon 810 processor
- Better sunlight readability due to higher contrast ratio
- Larger and heavier form factor
- Slightly lower pixel density compared to the 950
Microsoft Lumia 950
- More compact and pocketable design
- Slightly sharper display due to higher pixel density
- Potentially lower price point (depending on market conditions)
- Shorter battery life (48h endurance)
- Less powerful Snapdragon 808 processor
- Lower sunlight readability
Display Comparison
Both the Lumia 950 and 950 XL boast displays with an 'infinite' nominal contrast ratio, indicating excellent black levels. However, the 950 XL pulls ahead in sunlight readability with a contrast ratio of 3.837 compared to the 950’s 3512. This means the screen remains more visible under direct sunlight. While both share the same resolution, the 950 XL’s larger 5.7-inch display results in a slightly lower pixel density, though this difference is unlikely to be noticeable to most users. The lack of high refresh rate technology is a shared limitation, common for phones of this era.
Camera Comparison
Both devices share the same 'Photo / Video' camera capabilities, suggesting similar image sensor technology and software processing. However, detailed sensor specifications are missing. Given the flagship positioning, both likely featured high-quality sensors with optical image stabilization (OIS). The real-world performance would likely be very similar, with the 950 XL potentially benefiting from slightly faster image processing due to its more powerful chipset. The absence of detailed camera specs makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the overall camera experience should be comparable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lumia 950 XL utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810, an octa-core processor with a combination of Cortex-A53 and A57 cores clocked up to 2.0 GHz. The Lumia 950, conversely, features the MSM8992 Snapdragon 808, a hexa-core processor with a similar core configuration but lower clock speeds (1.8 GHz). This translates to a tangible performance advantage for the 950 XL in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The 810’s more powerful GPU handles graphics-intensive applications with greater ease. Both phones utilize a 20nm manufacturing process, but the architectural differences give the 810 the edge.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Lumia 950 XL truly shines. Its endurance rating of 62 hours significantly surpasses the Lumia 950’s 48 hours. This difference is directly attributable to the XL’s larger battery capacity. Both phones support 18W wired charging and Qi wireless charging (market dependent), offering convenient charging options. The 950 XL’s superior battery life is a critical advantage for users who heavily rely on their smartphones throughout the day, reducing the need for frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL if you prioritize extended battery life, demanding multitasking, and a generally more responsive user experience. This phone is ideal for power users and those who frequently rely on their smartphone throughout the day. Buy the Microsoft Lumia 950 if you prefer a more compact form factor and are willing to trade some performance and battery life for increased portability. It’s a good option for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing.