Microsoft Lumia 950 XL: Pros and Cons
Microsoft announced the launch of the Lumia 950 XL smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.7 inch AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Lumia 950 XL comes with Microsoft Windows 10 pre-installed. The smartphone features a high-end AMOLED screen. They offer a wide range of colors. This allows for more accurate and vivid color. This phone has only one rear-camera (20 MP, 4992 х 3744 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.
Table of Contents
- Microsoft Lumia 950 XL 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 XL smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.
Microsoft Lumia 950 XL specifications
Brand | Microsoft |
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Name | Lumia 950 XL |
Model | L950XL |
Release date | 2015 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 5.82 oz |
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Dimensions | 5.98 x 3.09 x 0.32 inch |
Colors | black, white |
SIM type | Nano SIM |
The weight of the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Microsoft Windows 10 |
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SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 |
CPU | Octa-core, Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A57 |
GPU | Adreno 430 |
The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL comes with Microsoft Windows 10 out of the box. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A57. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | AMOLED |
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Screen size | 5.7 inch |
Resolution | 1440 x 2560 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
The Lumia 950 XL's AMOLED display has deep blacks and vibrant colors. It also has fast response times and features like Always-On Display. The 5.7 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.
Memory, storage
RAM | 3 GB |
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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. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Lumia 950 XL has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage of the Lumia 950 XL (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 20 MP, 4992 х 3744 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization |
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Flash | LED |
Selfie camera | 5 MP |
You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Lumia 950 XL offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for their rear camera systems.
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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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 |
The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The Lumia 950 XL supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Lumia 950 XL smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Lumia 950 XL has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The Lumia 950 XL comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
Type | Li-Ion 3340 mAh |
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The Li-Ion 3340 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.
Features, sensors, specials
Sensors | accelerometer, barometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity, sensor core |
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Specials | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.
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
- optical image stabilization (OIS)
- Corning Gorilla Glass shield
Cons
- single camera setup
- 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.