Lumia 950 & 950 XL: technical specifications, pricing, & details

Microsoft unveiled new gorgeous Lumia handsets powered by Windows 10, as it continues to get into a territory dominated by Apple and Google.

Lumia 950 Microsoft, 2015.

Microsoft continues pushing its mobile devices with two new premium phones, the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. On October 6th during the Windows 10 Devices event in New York City, the software giant, and now device maker too, introduced to the world the new Lumia 900 family flagship of phones.

As rumored, Microsoft unveiled the Lumia 950, a smartphone that sports a 5.2-inch AMOLED display with Quad HD resolution, 564 pixels-per-inch, and Gorilla Glass 3 glass. It also features 3000 mAh battery, and a hexa-core Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 processor. While the Lumia 950 XL features a 5.7-inch AMOLED display with Quad HD resolution, 518 pixels-per-inch, and Gorilla Glass 4 glass. The handset includes a 3340 mAh battery, and an octa-core Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 808 processor.

Lumia 950 XL
Lumia 950 XL is seen at Windows 10 Devices Event, on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 in New York, New York. (Mark Von Holden/AP Images for AP Images for Windows)
Lumia 950 Microsoft 2015
Lumia 950 is seen at Windows 10 Devices Event, on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 in New York, New York.

The new phones also come pre-loaded with Windows 10 Mobile. They support Windows Hello through the iris scanner built into the device, and it allows users to unlock their phones by doing a very quick iris scanning — simply place the phone in front of your face and in less than two seconds you’re in –. This features similar to the one for Windows 10 on PCs, but instead of using your face, it uses your eyes.

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages about this new security mechanism is that unlike other platforms that use fingerprint reader, you won’t have to take your gloves off during winter time just to get into your phone.

The Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL also come with support for Continuum, which let you turn your phone into a PC-like experience. Continuum for Windows 10 Mobile let users connect an external display, keyboard and monitor to the handset and work with universal Windows apps on the bigger screen, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other apps.

In this new experience, users will be able to run up to two apps (one on each screen), but they won’t be able to run apps side-by-side like in the version of desktops. Launching an app on a particular screen is as easy as opening the app from the Start menu on a particular display.

The best part about the feature is that you can be editing a document on the big screen and still be able to make calls, reply to messages, or use another app on the phone.

In addition, Continuum support mass storage devices, such as USB thumb drives. This is just another way Microsoft is trying to make the experience more like a regular PC.

With all those details in mind, now let’s look at the technical specifications that Microsoft is packing on these devices to enable such great features in Windows 10.

Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL technical specifications

ComponentLumia 950Lumia 950 XL
Operating SystemWindows 10 MobileWindows 10 Mobile
Dimensions145 x 73.2 x 8.25 mm151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1 mm
Weight150 grams165 grams
CasingPolycarbonatePolycarbonate
ColorsBlack, WhiteBlack, White
Storage32 GB and up to 200 GB of expandable storage
OneDrive storage
32 GB and up to 200 GB of expandable storage
OneDrive storage
DisplayScreen: 5.2-inch Quad HD AMOLED Corning Gorilla Glass 3 display
Resolution: 2560x1440 (564 ppi)
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Touch: Multitouch
Screen: 5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED Corning Gorilla Glass 4 display
Resolution: 2560x1440 (518 ppi)
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Touch: Multitouch
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor featuring Hexa-core CPUs and 64-bit supportQualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor featuring Octa-core CPUs and 64-bit capabilities
NetworkWi-Fi: MIMO, WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
Wi-Fi: MIMO, WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
BatteryRemovable 3000mAh battery, USB-C fast charging, wireless charging Removable 3340mAh battery, USB-C fast charging, wireless charging
CamerasRear-facing PureView camera with 20MP sensor, Zeiss optics, OIS, triple LED natural flash, and 4K video recording
5MP wide-angle 1080p front-facing camera
Rear-facing PureView camera with a 20-megapixel sensor, Zeiss optics, OIS, triple LED natural flash, and 4K video recording
5MP wide-angle 1080p front-facing camera
PortsmicroSD slot, supports up to 200 GB of expandable storage4
USB-C charging port for data, AV connectivity and charging
3.5mm stereo headset connector

Available in single-SIM and dual-SIM variants
microSD slot, supports up to 200 GB of expandable storage7
USB-C charging port for data, AV connectivity and charging
3.5mm stereo headset

Available in single-SIM and dual-SIM variants
SensorsAccelerometer
Ambient light sensor
Barometer
Gyroscope
Magnetometer
Proximity sensor
Accelerometer
Ambient light sensor
Barometer
Gyroscope
Magnetometer
Proximity sensor
Power supplyMicrosoft USB-C Fast Charger (AC-100)Microsoft USB-C Fast Charger (AC-100)
LocationA-GLONASS
A-GPS
Barometer
Cellular
Wi-Fi network positioning
Gyroscope
A-GLONASS
A-GPS
Barometer
Cellular
Wi-Fi network positioning
Gyroscope
In the boxLumia 950
3000 mAh battery
Microsoft USB-C Fast Charger (AC-100)
Microsoft USB-C Cable (CA-232CD)
Quick Guide
Lumia 950 XL
3340mAh battery
Microsoft USB-C Fast Charger (AC-100)
Microsoft USB-C Cable (CA-232CD)
Quick Guide
Preloaded softwareCreative Studio
Gadgets
Lumia Help+Tips
MixRadio
Photos plug-ins
Transfer my Data
Creative Studio
Gadgets
Lumia Help+Tips
MixRadio
Photos plug-ins
Transfer my Data
Pricing$549 ERP$649 ERP

As you can see in the table above, the Lumia 950 is the cheaper phone, but it’s still in the expensive side of things, and users were really expecting the handset to be even cheaper. However, you’re getting a premium device with top-notch hardware and features.

Microsoft is also promoting Continuum with these phones, but it’s important to note that you’ll need to buy the optional Microsoft Display Dock and you need to bring your own display, keyboard and mouse.

During the unveiling of these devices, the company didn’t mention the support for stylus, as such we have to assume they won’t.

Unlike Android and iPhone handsets, the new Lumia phones incorporate a dedicated button that you can use to take pictures and record 4K video. With the help of the new USB Type C connect will allow you to charge your phone up to 50 percent capacity in about 30 minutes.

The software giant also claims that the image stabilization on these phones are the best ever, no matter if you or the phone shakes, that picture you take will come out clear, crisp, and beautiful, and the triple LED flash helps to eliminate red eyes.

There is also the Glance screen that similar to Android, it allows you to view important notifications right in the lock screen, but without draining a single drop of battery life.

It’s also worth to point out that the company announced a third, lower-end phone, the Lumia 550. This phone looks and feels as a mid-range handset, sadly it doesn’t offer support for Windows Hello or Continuum, but it only cost $139, and it will be available in December.

Lumia 550 technical specifications

ComponentDescription
Operating
system
Windows 10 Mobile
Dimensions136.1 x 67.8 x 9.9 mm
Weight141.9 grams
CasingPolycarbonate
ColorsBlack, White
Physical buttonsPower, Volume
Storage8GB and up to 200GB expandable storage
DisplayScreen: 4.7-inch HD display
Resolution: 1280x720 (315 ppi)
Aspect ratio: 16:9
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor featuring a quad-core CPU running up to 1.1 GHz
NetworkWi-Fi: (2.4 GHz) b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.1 LE
Nano SIM (4FF)
BatteryRemovable 2100 mAh battery
Camera and A/V2MP front-facing camera
5MP rear-facing camera with AF f/2.4, 720p @ 30 fps video, and single LED flash
PortsmicroSD slot, supports up to 200 GB of expandable storage
Charger AC-18
SensorsAccelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Power SupplyCharger AC-18
LocationA-GPS
A-GLONASS
BeiDou
Cellular
Wi-Fi network positioning
In the boxLumia 550
2100mAh battery
Charger AC-18
Headset WH-10810
Quick Guide
Pricing$139.00 ERP
Lumia 550 Microsoft 2015
Lumia 550 is seen at Windows 10 Devices Event, on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 in New York, New York. (Mark Von Holden/AP Images for AP Images for Windows)

The new Microsoft’s Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL will be available unlocked from the Microsoft Store, but if you’re an AT&T customer, the phone will be locked. The phones will be available in November, which also suggest that Windows 10 Mobile will also release about that time.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].