With Microsoft gearing up to launch the Lumia 950 and the 950XL in India later this month, an important question arises, will these phones make any difference at all? We completely agree that Microsoft has made quite an effort for these current flagships and the software which runs the whole experience, Windows 10. However, it is not without its faults and the developer base is still reluctant to join the Microsoft bandwagon. We will ofcourse review the phones when they come out but before that, let’s take a look on what other major publications around the globe have to say about the Lumia 950 and the 950XL.
Before we start, here is a quick look at the spec sheets of both the phones
Lumia 950
SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
RAM: 3GB
Display: 5.2-inch, 2560 x 1440p
Storage: 32GB
Camera: 20MP, 5MP
Battery: 3000 mAh
Lumia 950XL
SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
RAM: 3GB
Display: 5.7-inch, 2560 x 1440p
Storage: 32GB
Camera: 20MP, 5MP
Battery: 3340 mAh
Peter Bright from Ars technica who reviewed the Lumia 950 concluded in his review, “The Lumia 950 is a nice phone. The screen is very pretty. The camera is great. Its looks don't excite me, but it feels solid. I'm sure Windows 10 Mobile will get better. If the Lumia 950 were more keenly priced then it might be easier to get excited about it. Along with its bigger brother, it fills a glaring gap in the Lumia range and does at last offer an upgrade path. For Windows Phone fans (and I am one), this phone, or its bigger brother, is much needed and very welcome. But this is not a phone that is likely to win over new converts. It does its job, and it keeps the platform ticking over. The struggle to attract new users, however, remains.”
“At the end of the day, the Lumia 950 costs too much and offers too little for all but Windows diehards to take seriously. It's been five years since Microsoft rebooted its old, failing Windows Mobile software into the Windows phone platform we see today, and the company still hasn't been able to work out the kinks. Microsoft's future as a world class software-maker for mobile phones is looking dim.” said, Cnet’s Jessica Dolcourt from Cnet in her Lumia 950 review.
Daniel Rubino who reviewed the Lumia 950 recently concluded his review with this, “The Lumia 950 is a first-rate phone, but it is not the best, which is what is needed in 2015 to beat the competition. Microsoft fans will love it, but the rest of the world will likely look on with curiosity and nothing more. I still think Microsoft's vision of mobile is unique and evolving, but they are still kicking the can down the road as we all wait for the next big thing.”
Dan Seifert had to say this about the Lumia 950 in his review- “If you’ve been holding out hope that Microsoft’s new phone would cast away the shackles that held back its earlier phones, you’re going to be disappointed by the Lumia 950 (and by extension, the 950 XL). The rest of us, well, we’ll be happy Microsoft customers managing our email with Outlook for iPhone.”
“Don’t get us wrong, it has the specs and performance to satisfy buyers who have been heavily invested in the Windows ecosystem, but it’s just not that halo Windows 10 smartphone that can compete with the likes of the iPhone 6s, Galaxy S6, or Nexus 6P – it just isn’t. We’re really impressed by what Microsoft is doing with the platform and with Continuum's functionality, but we surmise that something bigger, more flagship-worthy will one day or another come to light. This isn’t it, that’s for sure.” said, John V from Phonearena in its Lumia 950 review.
Yahoo’s Daniel Howley had this to say in his Lumia 950 review, “As a smartphone-PC hybrid, the 950 is more of a proof-of-concept than a fully baked offering. Being able to edit Word documents, to check email, and to browse the Web in a Windows 10 desktop interface from a phone doesn’t make the 950 a must-have, but it does give us a glimpse into the future of personal computing and consumer electronics.”
Joanna Stern who writes for the Wall Street Journal, recently concluded this in her Lumia 950 review- “It feels like the Lumia 950 is a proof of concept that might help Microsoft get momentum for its new strategy. But I can’t recommend buying a $600 proof of concept. For now, your phone stays ... a phone.”
“I can’t help but be hopeful for the future of Microsoft’s Lumia smartphones after using the Lumia 950. A few bugs detract from the wow factor of Continuum—a key feature that transforms the phone into a PC-like device—but as a total package the Lumia 950 shows Microsoft is moving in the right direction.” says Mark Hachman in his review of the Lumia 950 for PCWorld.