The Microsoft Lumia 950 and 650 represent distinct approaches within the Windows Phone ecosystem. The 950 aimed for a flagship experience, boasting a powerful processor and advanced camera features, while the 650 prioritized affordability and long battery life. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs, especially considering their age and current market availability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and camera capabilities, the Lumia 950 is the clear winner, despite its shorter battery endurance. However, the Lumia 650 excels in battery life and offers a more budget-friendly entry point, making it ideal for users focused on essential smartphone functions and extended usage between charges.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 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 - EMEA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - USA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, October. Released 2015, November | 2016, February. Released 2016, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 145 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (5.71 x 2.88 x 0.32 in) | 142 x 70.9 x 6.9 mm (5.59 x 2.79 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 122 g (4.30 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~564 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~297 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.8 cm2 (~70.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 67.5 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | OLED |
| | ClearBlack display | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8909v2 Snapdragon 212 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 418 | Adreno 304 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, triple-LED RGB flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 20 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, stereo sound rec., 1080p@30/60fps (after SW update) | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, sensor core | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | Microsoft Continuum support | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | - |
| Music play | Up to 67 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) | Up to 624 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) | Up to 16 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -91.6dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 48h
|
Endurance rating 55h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3512 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.77(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 77dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1281Basemark X: 26330 | - |
Microsoft Lumia 950
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance.
- Superior display contrast for better outdoor visibility.
- Potentially better camera quality with advanced features.
- Slightly shorter battery life compared to the 650.
- Higher price point (when new).
Microsoft Lumia 650
- Longer battery life for extended usage.
- More affordable price point.
- Lightweight and compact design.
- Significantly slower processor for limited performance.
- Inferior display contrast for poor outdoor visibility.
- Basic camera capabilities.
Display Comparison
Both the Lumia 950 and 650 feature displays with an 'Infinite' nominal contrast ratio, a common marketing term at the time. However, the crucial difference lies in sunlight readability. The Lumia 950 boasts a contrast ratio of 3512 in direct sunlight, significantly outperforming the 650’s 3.77. This means the 950’s screen will remain far more visible under bright outdoor conditions. While both likely utilize LCD technology, the 950’s superior contrast suggests a higher-quality panel and potentially better viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having a 'Photo / Video' or 'Photo' camera, the Lumia 950 is expected to have a far superior imaging experience. The 950, as a flagship, likely featured a larger sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities. The 650, positioned as a budget device, would have a simpler camera system. The absence of specific sensor details in the provided data makes a precise comparison difficult, but the 950’s higher processing power would contribute to faster image capture and potentially better low-light performance. The 650’s camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but the 950 is the clear choice for photography enthusiasts.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Lumia 950’s Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808, a hexa-core processor built on a 20nm process, offers significantly more processing power than the 650’s Snapdragon 212 (MSM8909v2). The 808’s combination of four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.4 GHz and two Cortex-A57 cores at 1.8 GHz provides a noticeable advantage in multitasking and demanding applications. The 650’s quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 processor, built on a less efficient 28nm process, is geared towards basic tasks. The 950 will handle more complex apps and games with greater fluidity, while the 650 may struggle with resource-intensive operations.
Battery Life
Interestingly, despite the Lumia 950’s more powerful processor, it achieves an endurance rating of 48 hours, only slightly less than the Lumia 650’s 55 hours. This suggests the 650’s less demanding processor and potentially smaller display contribute to its longer battery life. The 950 supports 18W wired charging and Qi wireless charging (market dependent), offering faster and more convenient charging options compared to the 650, which likely only supports standard wired charging. The 950’s faster charging partially mitigates the slightly shorter battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 950 if you need a device capable of handling demanding applications, capturing high-quality photos and videos, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display. Buy the Microsoft Lumia 650 if you prefer a long-lasting battery, a more affordable price point, and prioritize basic smartphone functionality over advanced features. Both devices are now legacy, so consider software support limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Given the age of these devices, is software support still available for either the Lumia 950 or 650?
Unfortunately, official software support from Microsoft for both the Lumia 950 and 650 has ended. While community efforts may exist, users should expect limited or no security updates and potential compatibility issues with newer applications. This is a significant consideration when purchasing either device today.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 808 in the Lumia 950 experience significant thermal throttling during prolonged use, like gaming?
The Snapdragon 808 was known to be relatively efficient, but some throttling could occur during extended, demanding tasks like gaming. However, it's less prone to overheating than some other chips of that era. The Lumia 950’s design likely included thermal management features to mitigate this, but performance may decrease slightly over time during intensive use.
❓ Is the difference in battery life between the Lumia 950 and 650 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 55-hour endurance rating of the Lumia 650 translates to a tangible difference in real-world usage. Users can expect to go a full day or even two on a single charge with moderate use, while the Lumia 950 may require charging daily, especially with heavier usage patterns.
