Microsoft Lumia 950 review: Legendary Edition

02 December, 2015
Microsoft Lumia 950 is the firstborn of the new Lumia series, following the company's strategy shift. It's a precisely designed smartphone with clear ideas for its future, sharp hardware choices and groundbreaking software innovations. It's an epic device based on Nokia's legacy and reborn under Microsoft's custody.

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  • AnonD-7628
  • nF7
  • 05 Dec 2015

This isn't really a forum..it's just "let's slag off everything"..Anyone got any sensible knowledge of how the 950 is shaping up?..

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    • AnonD-135168
    • MWi
    • 05 Dec 2015

    Hi GSMArena crew, thanks for the review. Always, when I read GSMArena reviews, I start with page 3 (Battery), and I was shocked at the 48h duration (and 8h calltime).

    i. Could you please repeat the battery after an update is issued? (or have a final retail sample in your hands)

    ii. Making an article comparing battery life of a Windows phone with 8.1 Update 2 vs Windows Mobile 10 (when that goes live anyway) would be very interesting. Let's see if the new os is a battery hog. The more device you could include, the better.

    iii. And something unrelated... Do you have any plans for reviews on ZTE Axon Mini and Axon Elite (EU version w/ 1080p screen) in the pipeline? ZTE Blade S7 maybe?

    iv. Unrelated no.2, do you have any update on the battery test of (final retail sample) Sony Xperia M5?

      vrvly, 04 Dec 2015Its a shame for a phone with such a good specs, reviews are... moreobjection here. Microsoft no need sell the company, they have to improve and get it better and even better for the software n hardware n the OS support. They need new ideas.

        • p
        • pellenils
        • 3$i
        • 05 Dec 2015

        Thank you for a very helpful and insightful review.
        I have enjoyed Lumias since the 800 and have always enjoyed the cameras and the OS. Since then I've had the 920, the 1020, the 535 and the 830. I enjoyed them all, except for the 535, and will probably get a 950XL. The better processor helps with the speed issue, especially in the camera department.

          • D
          • AnonD-459976
          • LbX
          • 05 Dec 2015

          Nokia did a great Job with the 1520 ...

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            • AnonD-391800
            • Bns
            • 05 Dec 2015

            Milo, 05 Dec 2015Android is in over 70% of phones across many OEMs and hundr... moreI do agree, except that one about " no need for faster mobile development"
            They are loosing marketshare day by day, faster and better mobile OS development is a MUST in such a situation.
            They release two flag models, people who know will not buy cause they know the cons, people who dont know will buy and remain dissapointed with lacks in batterylife and software optimizations, and will not put their trust in lumia again.
            That is no way to grow a userbase.
            Microsoft mobile OS work is quite dissapointing considering it is such a big company.

              • M
              • Milo
              • tCQ
              • 05 Dec 2015

              AnonD-391800, 05 Dec 2015Huh, when android was that old, it was already on 4.4 kitka... moreAndroid is in over 70% of phones across many OEMs and hundreds of models - of course there will be much greater feedback and fast updates. Apple has only 7 phones on iOS 9 - they have no excuse to be slow, not especially when you're paying top money for their phones.

              Microsoft doesn't have a global market share anywhere near the aforementioned companies when it comes to phones. There's no incentive for fast development.

              As for their desktop OS - it's only been 4 months since Win10 was released. Third-party software companies are still adapting. Updates will come. Give it a few more months - it should work better for more machines.

                • D
                • AnonD-391800
                • Bns
                • 05 Dec 2015

                AnonD-167064, 04 Dec 2015I surely don't defend Windows Mobile. I just know how it wa... moreHuh, when android was that old, it was already on 4.4 kitkat.
                Guess what, I use kitkat on my androidphone, and it still is more stable, more furnished and more comlete OS than win10...

                I do not get it why and how microsoft releases such bad mobile OS itterations, full of bugs and ill optimizations.
                It may be a reflection of desktop windows too, Every second itteration is just...bad.

                  • y
                  • yann
                  • gxF
                  • 05 Dec 2015

                  This review sounds very, very positive. IMO - too positive, reading all owners complains about the design, battery life and UI experience.
                  This review sounds like 9-9.5 and Phonearena gives pitty 7.
                  I think that real score is between two - fair 8-8.5.
                  If the design was premium build, not like 640 on steroids, this device will break all Lumia sales records, but now will be for fans in general.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • 4DI
                    • 05 Dec 2015

                    You can actually turn your Xbox One into PC with Continuum on Lumia 950/XL!

                      • D
                      • AnonD-467404
                      • YTY
                      • 05 Dec 2015

                      AnonD-459976, 04 Dec 2015The shame is on Microsoft to release a crappy phone without... morewell, lumia is by Nokia under Microsoft. you will soon see a surface phone designed by real Microsoft. the same team behind the surface book. wait and see

                        • D
                        • AnonD-467404
                        • YTY
                        • 05 Dec 2015

                        AnonD-459976, 04 Dec 2015You know nothing about Hardware . and shut your mouth , I a... moremany newly released phones had software issues affected with battery life. some galaxy phones and nexus devices had this problem. and there was a similar problem with 8.1 update in some phones, manufactures simply by putting a software update fixed these. the reason for this battery drain could be due to unoptimized translation from windows 8 or any bug in windows 10 background unoptimized

                          • D
                          • AnonD-347427
                          • vGx
                          • 05 Dec 2015

                          The best phone with lots of extraordinary feature ...
                          Just love to buy this ...

                            • D
                            • AnonD-459976
                            • LbX
                            • 05 Dec 2015

                            AnonD-472730, 05 Dec 2015Sorry, but unless you are an engineer that has worked on th... moreyou dont get it about the 8 hours talking !!!

                            you dont get it.

                            The phone lasts for short time in stand by 48 hours ,and thats when you use 1 hour talking ONLY as in the test.

                            now if you talk more like 2 or 3 hours , the standby will drop like shit will be like 30 hours only because the talking consumes alot of battery !

                            got it ?

                              • D
                              • AnonD-472730
                              • j$G
                              • 05 Dec 2015

                              AnonD-459976, 04 Dec 2015You know nothing about Hardware . and shut your mouth , I a... moreSorry, but unless you are an engineer that has worked on the phone or the OS, then everything mentioned about batter life is speculation and opinion. No one can say if it's either the hardware or software's fault. The 950 being the 1st native Windows 10 phone, we have nothing else to compare it to. Using Android equivalents is pointless as well since they are NOT 100% identical in hardware or software, and even then, Only the HTC M8 and the Xiomi Mi4 are possibly the only phones you could use to accurately compare Windows and Android devices.

                              Granted, I do not know anyone who is on their CELL PHONE for 8+ hours a day. Also, anyone willing to toss this phone under a bus without at least a week of constant use (and updates) has no clue what they are talking about :)

                                • s
                                • spinner8309
                                • Nm$
                                • 04 Dec 2015

                                I have a lumia 930 and my previous phone was the 920. I know the lumia range they are the best phones out there but for its just great , like i can just plug straight into my pc via the cable and i can just like drag and drop most of the office files so i use it like my px away from my pc when i go to meet clients im confident i can show and send them work documents. Like last month my had to get repaired and i used an ios device and i could that ios devices are fast simple but to strict . So lumia device are very good devices in its own way.people say that ios and android kills windows app store that is true but who has thousands of apps on a device at the most you have like 30 -40

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                                  • AnonD-459976
                                  • LbX
                                  • 04 Dec 2015

                                  Indian, 04 Dec 2015It's Software Issue Man........ I Have Downloaded Windows 1... moreYou know nothing about Hardware . and shut your mouth , I already USE WINDOWS PHONE.

                                  you did not test TALK TIME , you tested STAND BY OR Movies/Games!

                                  if TALK TIME is so low then this IS A HARDWARE ISSUE .

                                  8 HOURS ONLY TALK TIME ! with 3000+ battery , it should be 25 HOURS

                                  BESIDES , no one forced MS to release a phone full of BUGS , why release it without testing the battery life ? they think this is a PC ?

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-459976
                                    • LbX
                                    • 04 Dec 2015

                                    The shame is on Microsoft to release a crappy phone without testing the battery life !

                                    besides , the is not a Beta Version , this is a Final Version . and this is a Phone not a PC .

                                    it Seems MS want to sell us crap like they allways did in the PC market

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-472730
                                      • j$G
                                      • 04 Dec 2015

                                      AnonD-473116, 04 Dec 2015Sounded more like an advertisement than a review. Yes, the ... moreThe lack of good apps is 100% opinion. what you may consider a good app, others may consider it crap.

                                        Indian, 04 Dec 2015It's Software Issue Man........ I Have Downloaded Windows 1... moreIts a shame for a phone with such a good specs, reviews are done from day one, I'm not sure if majority will wait for update to recommend(/not) in reviews with such poor battery results. For microsoft it would be best to sell it directly then.