Microsoft Lumia 950 XL

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Reviews for the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL

The Windows 10 Mobile Flagship
Source: Hot Hardware Archive.org version
Ultimately, we believe the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL -- in its current state -- is an excellent device and is the Windows 10 Mobile fans of the platform have been waiting for. Although it is a touch smaller and the composite backing doesn’t feel as premium in comparison to a device like the Nokia Lumia 1520, the 950 XL is an upgrade by almost every other measure.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/29/2016

78% Microsoft Lumia 950XL review
Source: GSM Arena Archive.org version
The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL gets pretty much everything right, but it needs to do even better than that. To make a real splash, Microsoft needs a flagship smartphone to wow consumers with either spectacular new capabilities, or with low pricing. Well, as things stand right now, the Lumia 950 XL can't offer either.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/10/2016
Rating: Total score: 78% performance: 80% display: 100% mobility: 60% workmanship: 50% emissions: 70%

60% Microsoft Lumia 950XL
Source: It Pro Archive.org version
It’s no surprise that the Lumia 950XL is essentially just a bigger version of the 950 with all the benefits and disadvantages that entails. The few people invested in Microsoft’s mobile operating system will love it, but there’s little in the hardware to attract new fans. The same applies to Windows 10 Mobile itself.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/26/2016
Rating: Total score: 60%

70% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL review
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
It's fair to say that I'm something of an apologist for Windows Phone, having flown the flag for the operating system even when things hit rock bottom. And yet, for all the waiting, the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL doesn't feel like it's making the most of the potential offered by Windows 10 Mobile. The hardware definitely has its highs and lows. Build quality isn't the best around, but handling is great. All of the lovely pixels on the AMOLED screen, along with the exceptional colour accuracy, make it one of the best around, but the speakers are a bit of a let-down.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/26/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%

75% Bigger is sometimes better
Source: T Break Archive.org version
The Microsoft Lumia 950XL is a great phone, but it will appeal to those who love their Windows phones only. With many popular apps still in beta stage for years now, Microsoft could really give larger smartphone companies a run for their money if they can sort out their various apps. If you are after some office level productivity on a smartphone, then the Microsoft Lumia 950XL is a perfect phone for you.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/21/2016
Rating: Total score: 75% price: 80% performance: 80% features: 65% workmanship: 70%

71% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Dual SIM Review
Source: Think Digit Archive.org version
The Lumia 950XL isn't the phone that'll bring Microsoft the sales that it's looking for. The phone lacks good design elements for the asking price and there are just not enough apps on the Windows Store to recommend the phone to anyone. A lot of work needs to be done still.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/02/2016
Rating: Total score: 71%

iPhone 6s Plus vs. Lumia 950 XL vs. Galaxy Note5
Source: GSM Arena Archive.org version
The Apple iPhone 6s Plus price is rock steady for a simple reason - demand for it is just as steady. Apple is coming out of its shell a little bit, we get more RAM, ad blockers and higher resolution camera, which erodes the feature gap between iOS and Android. The Samsung Galaxy Note5 is sailing stormy seas - first Samsung delays the wide launch, then it runs into issues with the redesigned S Pen, all the while current Note users ask for their microSD slot back. The feature-packed era has come to a close though, it's all about the experience now, never mind the specs behind the curtain.
Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/20/2016

Lumia 950 XL vs. LG V10 vs. Galaxy Note5 vs. iPhone 6s Plus
Source: GSM Arena Archive.org version
Spoilers ahead! Voting is now closed, but you can still go to Page 2 and pick your favorites with a mind clear of brand preconceptions and promises. Below the phones behind the letters A, B, C and D are revealed as well as the winners. There were a lot of correct guesses in the comments, well done readers! It was the Apple iPhone 6s Plus, which was behind the label 'A', 'B' was the LG V10, 'C' - the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL and finally, 'D' - the Samsung Galaxy Note5.
Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 01/13/2016

70% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Dual SIM Review
Source: NDTV Gadgets Archive.org version
At Rs 49,399, the Lumia 950 XL Dual SIM feels quite expensive and will most like be the reason potential customers would look elsewhere. If Microsoft is serious about taking back some market share in India, then this doesn't seem like a logical way to go about it. There needs to be a healthy price drop soon in order to make it more tempting, else it will be a tough sell.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/08/2016
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 70% performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 70%

70% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Dual SIM Review
Source: NDTV Gadgets Archive.org version
It's been a little more than five years since Microsoft launched its mobile version of Windows and we finally have a platform with serious potential. Windows 10 Mobile is still rough around the edges but with timely updates, we could be looking at a real force to be reckoned with in time. App functionality has improved greatly but we're still missing variety that other platforms offer. Hopefully, developers will have more incentive to port their apps over, now that Windows Store is common across desktop and mobile platforms.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/08/2016
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 70% performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 70%

80% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL review
Source: Gadgets Now Archive.org version
The Nokia Lumia 950 XL is a decent smartphone with a lot going for it, but it lacks the desirability of other flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, iPhone 6s and HTC One M9. It's expensive, the build quality is rather uninspiring and Windows 10 Mobile aside, there's little to differentiate it from other smartphones. That said, we do love the screen and its performance is worthy - you'll just need to really want Windows 10 Mobile to buy one.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/07/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Unboxing
Source: Cool Smartphone Archive.org version
On the back of the Lumia 950 XL, we find that Microsoft has got another potential winner in the form of the 20mp Pureview camera. I have been able to get a few shots from the phone when it was staying on for longer than five minutes. I genuinely think that this could pip the Xperia Z5 as the best cameraphone out there.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/04/2016

70% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Review
Source: Phone Arena Archive.org version
Unfortunately, the Lumia 950 XL fails to champion Windows 10 before the better, faster, stronger competition of Android and iOS phablets. The operating system is still in need of improvement and doesn't make for the kind of polished user experience that we're used to from competing devices. The phablet itself feels undercooked, as if it was quickly put together so that the new platform would have a launch device. We fear the 950 XL is destined to be forgotten quickly after a more elaborate handset claims its media and retail presence for itself in the first half of 2016. Hopefully, it will make a better case for Windows 10's strong sides.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/31/2015
Rating: Total score: 70%

77% The phone for Windows fans (and no one else) [UPDATE: Now with more XL!]
Source: Pocketnow Archive.org version
Outside that context, though, the Lumia 950 does very little to earn its $600 price tag. It bears some of the least aspirational industrial design we’ve seen this year, and it struggles with the very fundamentals of the smartphone experience, like shooting video and checking email (email!). When you realize you can get a Nexus 6P or last year’s iPhone for less, those shortcomings really start to stand out. As the Windows 10 ecosystem grows, we may eventually see a day where a Windows-powered smartphone has a place in pockets other than Microsoft’s devoted following. But today is not that day. The Lumia 950 is a smartphone for the fans. All others –for now– need not apply.
Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 12/22/2015
Rating: Total score: 77% features: 79%

60% A top phone if it wasn't for Windows 10 Mobile
Source: T3 Archive.org version
There is great potential here, with a strong camera, a lovely screen and several interesting new features, the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is certainly different to anything else on the market. But whether you can live with the device is dependent on two things: your tolerance for bugs and your attitude towards apps.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/18/2015
Rating: Total score: 60%

60% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL review
Source: Expert Reviews Archive.org version
As a result, the Lumia 950 XL is definitely the best Windows 10 phone available right now, but it's still not quite good enough to be a viable alternative to its Android competition. Continuum is a really attractive feature and the Lumia's camera is easily one of the best I've seen all year, but it has too many minor annoyances day-to-day holding it back to make it good value.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 12/14/2015
Rating: Total score: 60%

70% Cortana, Continuum and camera isn't quite enough
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
The Lumia 950 XL is an attractive phone for those looking for Windows productivity thanks to features like Continuum and Universal Apps. It's a good deal at the moment with the free Display Dock but he phone itself has nothing major going for it on the design front and simply offers a bigger screen and slightly better processor than the regular model. Overall, we're not blown away with Windows 10 on phones with its bugs and lack of apps but it will be a solid choice for some.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/08/2015
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 70% performance: 60% features: 80% workmanship: 70%

60% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL review
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
If you liked Windows Phone then you’ll feel right at home with the Lumia 950 XL. It doesn’t offer the best design, but for Windows fans it will tick all the right boxes. However, for Android and iOS users it’ll be of little appeal. Microsoft is working hard to fix Windows 10 Mobile’s app shortage but, in its current state, the iOS and Android stores offer more variety and better quality services. The Lumia 950 XL also isn’t the best value phablet out there. Google’s competing Nexus 6P serves up equivalent specs, a nicer design and a more developed app ecosystem while costing close to £100 less. For most people, I'd recommend opting for the Google phone.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/07/2015
Rating: Total score: 60% price: 50% performance: 70% mobility: 60% ergonomy: 50%

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL review
Source: GSM Arena Archive.org version
We couldn't ask for more with the new Lumia 950 series and the 950 XL model in particular. Microsoft has outdone itself in every way, delivered on every promise, and even succeed to surprise us. The Lumia 950 XL isn't the perfect flagship, and Windows 10 Mobile isn't the perfect operating system, yet the leap from the previous generation is tremendous. It may not be perfect, but the Lumia 950 XL is capable of everything an Android smartphone can do, and then there is Continuum and universal apps. The benefits of the latter may not mean much to you right now, but it allows you to buy an app for desktop, smartphone and Xbox with a single purchase.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/07/2015

60% A great phone you probably SHOULDN’T buy
Source: PC Pro Archive.org version
There’s plenty to like about the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL, and coming with an open mind and no real history with Windows Phone, I got on with the OS better than I expected. However, even if you take the somewhat controversial position that any mobile OS is as good as any other, the hard fact is that others have spoken, and they disagree. Why does that matter? Well, it all comes down to support. Apps are one thing – I can do without most outside the core essentials – but what about the increasing need for other products to play nicely with your handset? Your next smartwatch, pair of speakers or even thermostat may not play nicely with Windows 10 Mobile, and even if they do, they may not work as well since the install base doesn’t warrant the development time to fix bugs. What if you’re certain you have no interest in any additional stuff, and you like the way the Lumia 950 XL looks? Well, okay, you’ll probably love the phone, but you’re also paying a premium for a handset with some pretty clear disadvantages.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/04/2015
Rating: Total score: 60%

60% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL review
Source: V3.co.uk Archive.org version
It's certainly worth noting that two of the Lumia 950 XL's biggest problems - the ugly backplate and inferior OS - could be fixed before its inevitable successor is launched. More attractive rear covers are already on sale, and Microsoft has committed to providing Windows 10 Mobile with feature and performance updates. Here's hoping that third-party support for compatible apps will improve as well. That said, we're stuck with this iteration of Windows 10 Mobile for the time being and, despite some handy features and some fine hardware, the OS currently stands in the way of this being a convincing rival to the likes of the iPhone 6S Plus, Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Nexus 6P.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/02/2015
Rating: Total score: 60%

70% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Review: In Depth
Source: Recombu Archive.org version
Windows 10 is bursting with potential, despite its familiar appearance. Give it time and Microsoft’s OS will hopefully be an easy equal to Android, offering a simple and attractive interface for smartphone noobs as well as plenty of functionality for everyone else. However, right now it’s a bit of a buggy mess and Windows Hello is an inferior replacement for faster, more accurate fingerprint sensors. And while the Lumia 950 XL’s Quad HD screen and solid 20-megapixel camera are undeniably quality, you’ll find rival Android hardware for the same price that’s just as good. Of course, the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL are the only phones to boast Continuum, which should be a major draw for many WIndows 10 users. Here’s hoping that it’s as excellent as promised.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 12/02/2015
Rating: Total score: 70%

Foreign Reviews

77% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL
Source: Tabtech DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/26/2016
Rating: Total score: 77% performance: 80% display: 60% mobility: 80% workmanship: 60%

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL
Source: PocketPC DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/06/2015

94% Microsoft Lumia 950 XL
Source: Inside Handy DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/02/2015
Rating: Total score: 94%

Edles Kunststoffhandy
Source: Turn On DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/20/2015

Microsoft Lumia 950 & Lumia 950 XL
Source: PC Welt DE→EN Archive.org version
Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 11/16/2015

Comment

Model: The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is a top-end, highly-capable, smartphone with almost laptop-like productivity. Sporting a solid construction and simplistic design, the device fits nicely in the palm of the hand and feels premium to the touch. The rear cover is highlighted with a circular panel that holds the camera and flash. There are two colors to select from; black and white. Display on the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is a gorgeous 5.7 inch AMOLED touchscreen with ClearBlack technology. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, this display is not only tough, but it produces superb colours and clarity.

Running Microsoft Windows 10, the smartphone comes equipped with a Snapdragon 810 octa-core setup utilizing a Cortex-A53 and a Cortex-A57 processor. There are 3 GB of RAM, an Adreno 430 GPU and 32 GB internal storage on board. The storage capacity can be expanded by 200 GB with a microSD card. The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL comes with a solid performing 20 MP f/1.9 rear camera with Carl Zeiss optics and a 5 MP front camera. Other features found on the device are Bluetooth 4.1, A-GPS, FM radio, and a USB 3.1 Type-C reversible connector. Battery life on the device comes from a Lithium-Ion pack rated at 3340 mAh.

Qualcomm Adreno 430: Integrated smartphone and tablet GPU that supports OpenGL ES 3.1 and DirectX 11.2 (FL 11_1). The graphics card has 192 unified shaders clocked at up to 650 MHz.

Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

810 MSM8994:

High-end ARM SoC with 8 CPU cores (4x Cortex-A57 and 4x Cortex-A53) and an Adreno 430 GPU. Manufactured in a 20 nm HPM process.

5.70":

It is a very small display format for smartphones. You should by no means be mis-sighted and you will generally see very little on the screen and only have a small resolution available. In return, the device should be very small and handy.

Microsoft:

Microsoft smartphones and tablets have been tested since 2012. There are many reviews with average ratings. The reader's interest is quite given, but the market share is not big enough for the Top 5 smartphone manufacturers (as of 2016).

71.06%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

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