Microsoft has finally launched a set of high-spec new Lumia smartphones, the long-rumored 950 and 950XL. We’ve heard plenty about the over the past few months, thanks to extensive leaks, but do the real things live up to expectation? Here’s what you need to know.
Updated on 11-16-2015 by Malarie Gokey: Added
confirmation of a November 20 launch date for the Lumia 950 at AT&T. Also
added pre-order info and news about the 950XL’s availability on the Microsoft
store.
Price and release date
The Lumia 950 is finally scheduled to hit
AT&T on November 20. The carrier announced different pricing options
for the new Windows phone, which include the following:
Next 24 (30 months): $0 down and payments of $19.97
Next 18 (24 months): $0 down and payments of $24.96
Next 12 (20 months): $0 down and payments of $29.95
Two-year contract: $150
There’s no word on whether the Lumia 950 will reach other
networks in the U.S. or if the Lumia 950 XL will be sold with carrier support
in the States at all. Microsoft put the 950XL up for pre-order on its website unlocked
for $650. You’ll even get the Microsoft Display Dock — which connects your
phone to a PC and enables the Continuum feature in Windows 10 — with it for
free. Meanwhile, the unlocked Lumia 950 is listed as coming soon on
Microsoft’s website, as is the AT&T version.
So far, Vodafone in the
UK and AT&T in
the U.S. are the only networks to confirm they’ll stock the Lumia 950, but
neither network mentioned the 950XL. We’ll keep you updated here.
Lumia 950 and Lumia 950XL
Introduced by Panos Panay, the new man in control of Lumia
and Surface at Microsoft, there are two phones — the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950XL.
Related: Here’s
our hands-on with the new Lumia 950 and Lumia 950XL
The 5.2-inch Lumia 950 uses a hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
processor, and comes with 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage space. The
good news is under the rear cover is a MicroSD card slot that can raise this
number by a massive 200GB, plus there’s a removable 3000mAh battery that can be
wirelessly charged. The AMOLED 2560 x 1440 pixel screen is fitted to a 150 gram
body that measures 8.2mm thick.
For the Lumia 950XL, Microsoft’s chosen the Snapdragon 810
octa-core processor and equipped it with the same amount of RAM and internal
storage space. The removable battery’s capacity has increased to 3340mAh. The
screen size has also been increased to 5.7-inches, and although it has the same
1440p resolution, it’s covered in Gorilla Glass 4, rather than Gorilla Glass 3
on the Lumia 950. The device is slightly heavier at 165 grams, and a little
slimmer at 8.1mm.
Both Lumia phones get a 20-megapixel rear camera
Each phone has a 20-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture, 6-lens camera
on the rear, equipped with optical image stabilization, a triple LED flash, and
a dedicated camera shutter release. On the front, it’s the same 5-megapixel
wide-angle selfie camera, that can shoot 1080p video. The rear camera can shoot
4K video at 30fps.
The Lumia phones use the latest USB Type-C connector, which provides
a fast charge, and quick transfer of data across to your computer. Microsoft
has installed Windows 10, along with various standard apps including Skype,
Outlook, and Office. A beta version of Windows Hello is on the phone for quick,
secure unlocking, and the major software draw is Continuum for phones. Using
the USB Type-C connection, and a Microsoft Display Dock, the Continuum feature
ports the phone’s main screen onto your desktop. Apps on the phone scale on a
monitor for a PC-like experience.
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