Discover the Microsoft Lumia 950 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The Microsoft Lumia 950 sports a sleek design with dimensions of 145 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm, making it comfortable to hold. Despite its plastic construction, the device doesn't feel cheap, weighing 150g contributes to a balanced feel in the hand. The phone features a removable back cover, allowing easy access to its 3000 mAh battery, SIM, and microSD card. The Lumia 950 maintains a minimalistic design ethos with its black and white color options, appealing to those who prefer understated aesthetics.

Display

The Lumia 950 comes with a 5.2-inch AMOLED display, offering vibrant and rich colors that enhance the viewing experience. With a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels and a density of approximately 564 ppi, the screen provides sharp visuals and excellent clarity. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, the display is both durable and resistant to scratches. Under direct sunlight, the contrast ratio impressively reaches 3512, ensuring readability in various lighting conditions.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera is one of the Lumia 950's standout features. It boasts a 20 MP sensor with Zeiss optics, optical image stabilization (OIS), and a triple-LED RGB flash, enhancing low-light photography. The camera supports 4K video recording at 30 fps, offering high-quality video capture. A subsequent software update enables full HD recording at 60 fps. For selfies, the device houses a 5 MP front camera capable of recording 1080p video at 30 fps.

Performance

Powering the Lumia 950 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset, which includes a hexa-core CPU with four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.4 GHz and two Cortex-A57 cores at 1.8 GHz. Coupled with 3GB RAM, this hardware configuration ensures a smooth and responsive performance across various applications. The Adreno 418 GPU helps in handling graphical tasks smoothly, although it may not be suitable for high-end gaming in today's standards.

Operating System and Interface

The Lumia 950 runs on Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile, which was part of Microsoft's strategy to unify its ecosystem across different device types. The interface is clean, with live tiles that provide real-time updates at a glance. Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant, is deeply integrated into the OS, providing a seamless voice-activated experience for users.

Battery Life

The device is equipped with a removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery, supporting both wired and wireless charging (market dependent). With an endurance rating of 48 hours, the phone supports a full day of moderate usage. Charging is facilitated through the USB Type-C 3.1 port, with support for 18W wired fast charging. Users can expect up to 23 hours of talk time on 2G and up to 18 hours on 3G networks. Music enthusiasts are treated to up to 67 hours of continuous playback.

Connectivity and Network

Connectivity options on the Lumia 950 are robust, with support for Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.1 with A2DP. The phone features NFC for contactless transactions and pairing, and it includes GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for location services. The presence of an FM radio is a bonus for those who enjoy traditional media formats. The device uses GSM / HSPA / LTE technologies, with support for numerous bands ensuring broad compatibility across regions.

Audio and Multimedia

The Lumia 950 features a standard 3.5mm audio jack, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of headphones and audio equipment. The loudspeaker performance is adequate for voice calls and casual media consumption, although audiophiles may prefer external speakers or headphones for better sound quality. Audio testing reveals a noise level of -91.3dB and crosstalk of -91.6dB, indicating decent audio fidelity.

Sensors and Special Features

The phone is equipped with a range of sensors, including an iris scanner, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer. These sensors enhance the user experience by allowing advanced functionalities like biometric security through iris scanning and improved navigation capabilities.

Market Position and Reception

When released in late 2015, the Lumia 950 was priced around 280 EUR, positioning it as a mid-range device. Although it received praise for its camera capability and display, it faced stiff competition in a market dominated by iOS and Android devices. As a result, its long-term impact was limited, contributing to Microsoft's decision to eventually discontinue its mobile hardware efforts.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the Microsoft Lumia 950 served as an earnest attempt by Microsoft to establish a foothold in the smartphone market. While it offered several innovative features and a formidable camera, its limited app ecosystem and the dominance of other mobile platforms posed significant challenges. While the device is now discontinued, it remains a testament to Microsoft's ambition in the mobile technology landscape of its time.