Microsoft Lumia 950 (2015)
This phone comes equipped with a 5.2 inch AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 MSM8992 chipset, and 3 GB of RAM.
Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.
Table of Contents
- Microsoft Lumia 950 specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Microsoft Lumia 950 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.
Microsoft Lumia 950 specifications
| Brand | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Name | Lumia 950 |
| Model | L950 |
| Release date | 2015 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 5.29 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.71 x 2.88 x 0.32 inch |
| Colors | black, white |
| SIM type | Nano SIM |
The weight of Microsoft Lumia 950 is about 5.29 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Microsoft Windows 10 |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 MSM8992 |
| CPU | Hexa-core, Dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57, Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | Adreno 418 |
The Microsoft Lumia 950 comes with Microsoft Windows 10 out of the box. This hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 MSM8992 CPU is generally considered to be very fast and powerful. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | AMOLED |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 5.2 inch |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. The 5.2 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 3 GB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 32 GB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services we use. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Lumia 950 has 32 GB. We can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 20 MP, 4992 х 3744 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP |
This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Lumia 950 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | v4.1, A2DP |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou |
| NFC | yes |
| FM radio | yes |
| USB | USB Type-C |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Lumia 950 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The Lumia 950 has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
|---|
The Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. We can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by ourselves.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, barometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity, sensor core |
|---|---|
| Specials | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Lumia 950 smartphone has an accelerometer. Corning Gorilla Glass is a type of chemically strengthened super-glass.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Microsoft phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- AMOLED display
- microSD slot
- Corning Gorilla Glass shield
Cons
- limited-size screen
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.
Updated: June 6, 2024
I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.