Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL

TheGMan on 08/10/2015 - 11:36

Since no one has started a topic about these phones (and the 550), I thought I would.

I am personally excited, or at least was until I saw the $AU pricing, about the fact that Microsoft was making phones with at least comparable specs to other flagship phones.

I've been from iphone (3GS) to android (Note, nexus 5) to my Lumia 640xl, and so far the 640xl had been my favourite.

Would you consider, now that Microsoft is making phones on par with other flagship phones, moving to the windows world?

Oh and continuum is freaking amazing

Mobile

Comments

baronseng on 08/10/2015 - 11:39

How would you compare the nexus 5 to 640xl? And what features in 640xl win you over?
- TheGMan on 08/10/2015 - 11:50
  
  +1
  
  I originally got the 640xl for Development purposes. Decided to use it every day since I'd spent the money and to be quite honest, it's smooth, everything I've chucked at it, whether its games movies productivity apps work and work nicely.
  
  The windows OS is clean, pretty straight forward.
  
  Although the screen resolution is only 720 i quite honestly can't tell.
  
  Also 2 day battery life is pretty sweet.
  
  The nexus 5 is a nice phone and all… But its not as smooth and android looks cluttered and battery life sucks.
stargalaxy on 08/10/2015 - 12:17

No, have a Lumia 925 to try and don't like it. Maybe too used to the Android platform.
ozhunter on 08/10/2015 - 12:54

Would you consider, now that Microsoft is making phones on par with other flagship phones, moving to the windows world?

No, mainly because of the lack of apps and the tile ui. Hopefully more apps will be developed once their mobiles get Windows 10.
[Deactivated] on 08/10/2015 - 14:04

Delete the tiles you don't want then. It's very simple. It's not that different from an icon.

Windows phone has every application I will ever need.
The only problem I face is the money problem. :p

I plan on making a switch to the Windows Phone from Android.
- ozhunter on 08/10/2015 - 14:13
  
  Can you delete all of them off the home page? Or is there a way to make it look like iOS/Android?
  
  Windows phone has every application I will ever need.
  
  Maybe, and probably why they have some users; but for the rest of us…
  - TheGMan on 08/10/2015 - 14:38
    
    Maybe, and probably why they have some users; but for the rest of us…
    
    Have a hundred fart apps installed? XD
    
    But in all seriousness with the Universal Apps my personal prediction is that the number and quality of apps should grow at an awesome rate.
    
    What is it about Android or iOS that you like more? is it that you have icons/widgets and not tiles, some of which are live so you have widgets built into icons to give you live tiles… Like Android you still get an APP drawer. So the differences aren't that great, just with sharper edges and only 1 screen…
    - ozhunter on 08/10/2015 - 14:39
      
      Apps, icons, and widgets are the main thing. Aside from that, it's pretty much the same.
      
      But in all seriousness with the Universal Apps my personal prediction is that the number and quality of apps should grow at an awesome rate.
      
      It should, but I'm surprised that developers aren't quickly getting their apps on Windows 10. Some apps that are on Windows are sub-par(less features).
      
      Snapchat, Youtube, and Instagram, three very popular apps don't even have official apps that aren't in beta.
  - tolchok on 23/10/2015 - 06:28
    
    May I ask which Android apps you consider necessary or extremely useful that aren't currently available on Windows Phones? This is a genuine question, not an attempt to mock the less-apps-on-Windows-Phones argument.
    
    After installing Android apps became possible and fairly straight forward on W10M even prior to Project Astoria/ Windows Bridge's official launch (google "install android apps on windows phone" if you are interested), I asked friends and family what Android apps I should be downloading. The only suggestions provided were ones that there were native 'official' versions or 3rd party versions of, so the apps that I have been installing to try out are generally for the novelty value of having Android apps on my phone rather than being actually useful. If there are ones you can suggest, I will try them out (if they currently work).
    
    I found that nearly all the apps that I missed when switching to my 1020 initially, I found replacements for within the first few months.
    
    There are some native 'official' apps that the Android and iOS versions are better (such as Skype which is fricking owned by MS, but you can't send SMS to phone number using credit on W8.1M/W10M), though most 3rd party apps I've owned actually have additional handy features that are premium and charged on the official app or not present at all.
    - iridiumstem on 23/10/2015 - 07:10
      
      Can you still sideload the android apps? I thought MS removed Android subsystem in an update recently; http://wmpoweruser.com/microsoft-removes-android-subsystem-f….
      
      To be honest, I can't think of much apps that I can list, simply because the apps that I like are:
      
      For Samsung devices only (i.e. Sidesync)
      
      Games
      
      Better quality, but Windows Phone version exists (i.e. KakaoTalk, WeChat)
      
      Widget or Launcher
      
      Apps exist, but technically you can use web browsers (i.e. bank apps, my optus etc)
      
      Apps for customisation of the Android
      
      Requires root access
      
      Requires certain hardware to work (i.e. S-Health, mi band app with the notification tweak)
      
      Are more of features of the phone than an app (i.e. SoundAlive feature).
      
      Also, I cannot remember clearly whether apps for those existed since it's been a long time.
    - tolchok on 23/10/2015 - 07:29
      
      @Oversimplified:
      
      I haven't tried it in the last week or two, but I haven't updated to latest build either. I probably won't hold off updating just because of the loss of the ability to run Android apps, as I haven't found myself installing additional Android apps.
      
      I am considering jumping ship despite really liking W10M. I am currently overseas using my old iPhone so that I can iMessage and Facetime as so many friends and family members use iPhones.
      
      I am missing the W10M (mostly inbuilt) native apps whilst using the iPhone (apple Maps is terrible, though Google Maps is OK) and just the way the phone handles. However, as I came over for the 1020 camera, if the 950 and 950xl cameras don't hold up in the real world I might switch back.
    - iridiumstem on 23/10/2015 - 07:33
      
      @tolchok: I've heard that the cameras on new Lumia are amazing. Windows Phone in camera department were always very good, I think the hardware looks promising (with LED flash and all). I am leaning towards, they will be one of the best in the phone camera department, but I'd rather wait for a review of sort before making that statement.
      
      I've heard that Android Subsystem was removed as it was making the performance worse, so I'd assume you'd be better off updating if you don't use the feature.
      
      I think Tasker (Probably wouldn't run on WP) and FolderSync (I'd assume this wouldn't run as well) might be something you'd be interested. Tasker is an app that allows you to run Tasks (sets of Actions) based on Contexts (application, time, date, location, event, gesture) in user-defined Profiles. FolderSync is an app that enables simple sync to cloud based storage to and from local folders on the device memory card. I thought Perfect Viewer (an image viewer app I use for reading cartoon) was fairly nice as well with being able to assign touch areas for turning the pages and stuff.
    - ozhunter on 23/10/2015 - 13:10
      
      For me its the lack of official apps and Google apps.
      
      Project Astoria
      
      Though it doesn't seem complicated(have rooted and installed custom roms with android phones), why put up with the hassle of doing this? I also assume everytime there is an app update, you'd have to go find the updated apk and install it again.
      
      I found replacements for within the first few months.
      
      Why would I switch OS just to have to look for a replacement, not even the same app.
      
      though most 3rd party apps I've owned actually have additional handy features
      
      true, I have used a Facebook and Youtube alternative before but still like to use the official app.
      
      What reason is there that a person should switch to a Windows phone?
    - iridiumstem on 23/10/2015 - 16:53
      
      @ozhunter: WP is not that bad if you don't use apps that much. Project Astoria was meant to touch upon that (though I have expressed my concerns on that project several times). I've mentioned this, I really liked my old Lumia and it gave me a performance that's comparable, if not better, than S4 Active. The OS at that time needed bit of work done on it (not being able to use Bluetooth Keyboard was one, etc etc), that said, Windows 10 Mobile fixed many if not most of the concerns I had with the OS itself.
      
      I know this is mentioned several times, but they do get longer software support from MS. I know custom ROMs exist (in fact, my old phone is on custom ROM right now because, well I was bored and warranty was off, wanted to give CM another try), but there are optimisation issues (Camera on CM perfoms worse than the stock ROM one on G2 (my gf's) for example) and stability issues and it's not an option for everyone.
      
      WP perform better at budget phone level, they limit background processes sensibly. I know this can be both a good thing or a bad thing, that said, for a normal user who don't know what a wakelock is and how to stop unnecessary background processes running, I think it's good. Before you say anything about Doze, not many devices have that function yet (Marshmellow's not really available for most) and I don't think it can touch upon system apps (some of the ridiculous ones like Facebook and Google apps)?
      
      Decent camera used to be one of the big sales point of Lumia phones, that said, I don't think I can say this for certain with current gen yet (I've not yet seen a review from a reliable source with proper measurements and stuff).
    - ozhunter on 23/10/2015 - 17:25
      
      @Oversimplified:
      
      I know this is mentioned several times, but they do get longer software support from MS
      
      Depends what phone you get. By software support do you mean features or security, or both? If an older version of android has more features than a new version of windows, do updates really matter?
      
      WP perform better at budget phone level, they limit background processes sensibly
      
      That's likely and a possible reason why the lower end Lumia phones like the 520 are the most popular.
      
      I don't think it can touch upon system apps (some of the ridiculous ones like Facebook and Google apps)
      
      What makes you say that and what phones are Facebook and Google+ system apps?
      
      Not saying Windows is bad, but there doesn't any good enough reasons to switch, which is why it's having such a hard time gaining market share.
    - iridiumstem on 23/10/2015 - 17:47
      
      @ozhunter: Security updates mainly, something that every non-Android users seem to bash on (some for the wrong reason, but you cannot deny that it's based on a legitimate problem with Android). As long as MS do not pull yet another Windows 7 Mobile, I think "WP has better updates in average" is not an unreasonable statement. If you bring custom ROMs, I'd argue that it's not an option for everyone and it has limitations, as I've mentioned before.
      
      Also, I should've said it better, but what I meant by a system app is, the apps that come preinstalled that are located in the /system/app that you cannot do anything with other than disabling it via USB debugging or an app (unless you have root access). Google apps can't be uninstalled and the best you can do is disable them using apps if you are not rooted, I believe? Also, the problems I have with Google Play Service. That thing asks for the location like crazy, wakes the phone up crazy and drains the battery up in the process.
      
      I personally found Android to be high maintanence compared to Windows Phone, it's fortunate that I loved tweaking things around. In order to maximise the potential, I have to root my phone. To get better battery life, I need to do limit apps from running in background, stop wakelocks from waking the phone, I need to uninstall this, that, this. To get better performance, I need to uninstall this that and this. Half the people I know would just not do this and complain about how shit Android is. They'd complain about standby battery life, how thinsg are not like this yaddi yadda etc. For those people, Windows Phone is a reasonable substitute. It limits the background processes for them (which usually is the culprit of bad performance and crap standby battery), Lumia series traditionally had amazing cameras, you don't have to worry about security issues because MS updates the phones for far longer than most Android manufacturers do.
      
      As I said, WPs are not that bad. I am not telling you to jump on to WP, if that was the gist you got. Things I've mentioned, I think are not unreasonable, whether you'd move based on that would depend on the person.
    - daver on 23/10/2015 - 18:13
      
      I'll be satisfied with microsoft and when it might lift its VoIP platform game;
      
      Premium Skype calling line identification, working at a 70% failure rate, for the mobile software in Australia. 100% failure rate for US/+1646 google number that I wished skype would sent CLIDstyle to local ntks tho I realise thats a fail.
      
      Before we point to carriers I thought it interesting: GV_H’outs & 100% success rate CLID displayed on Telstra Voda Optus. therefore not a useless waste of funding cf. MS .. </rant>.
    - ozhunter on 23/10/2015 - 18:25
      
      @Oversimplified:
      
      You can always go with Nexus devices if you're that worried about security.
      
      I think "WP has better updates in average" is not an unreasonable statement
      
      It's not, but considering how many WP there are, it should be true. It would be better for Android's reputation if Google limited the use of Android to certain manufacturers, but since they're mainly an advertising company, I see why they wouldn't.
      
      Google apps can't be uninstalled
      
      I know iphones has apps that can't be uninstalled, and I'm sure that Windows does too.
      
      I personally found Android to be high maintanence compared to Windows Phone,
      They'd complain about standby battery life
      
      You don't have to actually do anything. I think it's great that with Android you have the option too. You're able to limit background processes in the developer options if you want. A lot of android phones have some of the best battery life you can get on a smartphone.
      
      Half the people I know would just not do this and complain about how shit Android is
      
      Yet they still get android because it's the best value when it comes to performance/features/apps.
    - iridiumstem on 23/10/2015 - 18:59
      
      @ozhunter: I doubt Google will ever be able to control Android's fragmentation (and I personally think it's a good thing, it opened up smartphone industry to the mass. It gave an OS for everyone by being an OS that can be for anything imo).
      
      The reason I hate some apps being uncontrolable is that Android gives them too much freedom to them. I don't care about the apps being there (I can hide it with nova launcher prime, it's not 100GB of junk I cannot remove). It's just that if I use those apps, they drain so much battery in background during standby; Facebook and Messenger were two of my biggest problems with standby battery. I can't control them unless I have root access. It's a problem that I know how to fix (Root, uninstall, install it as a user app, greenfy it). Though this option is not available for normal users who don't root though), but a problem that I need to fix that I didn't face with Windows Phone.
      
      Limiting the background processes would make Android rather bad, since Android apps are not built with that kind of behaviour in mind. Widgets wouldn't work properly for one. In my opinion, that'd solve the problems, at the same time, it'd remove what makes Android Android. Personally speaking, I think more control to the users on every apps they want to control would be nicer since it's highly unlikely that Google will touch upon Background processes like I'd want to see (hopefully Doze become more powerful tool for us end users).
      
      I've mentioned all the points I wanted to mention, if I go on, I'd be repeating myself (which is draining for both sides imo). I like Android and I do see where you are coming from (being an Android user myself), it's just that I know that certain parts of Android can be both good and bad depending on who the user is. I find Windows Phone an option that I could recommend to people that I've described because of things I've mentioned, if you don't think that's the case, I am fine with that.
Sammy2000 on 08/10/2015 - 14:34

What will the $au price be? Any news if we will also get the band 2? I can only find US and UK news.
- TheGMan on 08/10/2015 - 14:40
  
  +3
  
  way too much…
  
  950 - $1100
  950XL - $1200
  
  http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msaus/en_AU/list/Microso…
  
  Wondering if Vodafone or another carrier will be getting the 950XL in on a contract…
  
  Haven't seen anything about the Band 2 either, if I get the 950XL (selling all my tablets right now) I would love to get the Band 2 along with it
  - stargalaxy on 08/10/2015 - 15:17
    
    The price is in Apple terittory, wonder how many they will sell at this price.
  - Sammy2000 on 08/10/2015 - 17:24
    
    +1
    
    They will not sell many at that price
    - mskeggs on 08/10/2015 - 17:45
      
      +3
      
      50% off in 4 months is my prediction.
    - ozhunter on 08/10/2015 - 17:50
      
      Well they have to build a reputation first, but even then I assume most consumers would rather just buy a cheaper laptop. The stylus, being detachable and able to bend the display all the way is cool and all, but not necessary and I wonder how many consumers are willing to pay extra for it.
twister292 on 09/10/2015 - 05:48

+1

Microsoft seems to be high on something when it comes to pricing their new hardware…

The Surface book in 512GB/i7/17GB is $4200, almost $1000 more than the equivalent Macbook Pro…

And these 2 Lumia phones…$1200 for the XL? That's enough to buy an S6 and a G3 on top. WP can't hold a candle to the quality of the apps on iOS/Android…developers are not too interested it seems.

Overpriced very severely both these products.
- ozhunter on 09/10/2015 - 06:40
  
  It is expensive, the base model compared to the 13in retina macbook pro is $500 more.
  
  The surface book is detachable, can fold to tablet mode with keyboard attached, is touchscreen with stylus support and it includes the stylus. I doubt that's worth the $500 extra over a macbook pro to most people.
razorack999 on 09/10/2015 - 08:02

ridiculous pricing. I am a microsoft supporter but that is crazy
- TheGMan on 09/10/2015 - 09:36
  
  +1
  
  In the US Lumia 950 will retail for $US549 and the 950XL for $US649.
  
  So this means after exchange rate and GST there is a $200 Australia Tax.
iridiumstem on 10/10/2015 - 05:35

+2

I really liked my Lumia 925. I moved because of lack of apps (bank apps mainly), lack of customer support on apps compared to the big 2 (many existing apps were below the quality of Android and iOS counterparts) and the OS missing few features that you'd normally expect (That was during Windows Phone 8.1 era, 10 did improve heaps and added most of the features I wanted in). That said the device itself to me was better than what I've moved to (Galaxy S4 Active). So two issues with apps (quantity and quality) and one issue with the OS itself even though the device itself was amazing.

Anyways, that said, will I move back to Windows Phone after seeing improvements with the OS and the device? My answer would be, not likely for now since app issues are still there and the devices in my opinion do not offer that much for me to say "I must spend $1000 to move to Windows Mobile". While the compatiablity with Android apps and iOS apps might help with the app issues, I found it to be unusuable when I tried it 2 month ago with Lumia 925. That said, the benchmark on it was promising at least, so with better hardware, apps might run relatively fluently. Though I sort of see it as a double edged sword, where MS is risking developers giving up on developing apps for Windows Mobile OS. Universal apps might make the story slightly different, but most people buy Windows tablet or desktop for programs, not apps… So I don't know whether that will change the story significant enough to make the Windows Store grow.

I think MS should've done something earlier, I don't think they will be able to compete with the big 2 in normal consumer market. If I go into cooporation market, I think it's slightly different since the things that MS is offering is not bad at all. I think they've started to move towards fixing the problems that Windows Mobile OS had. I don't see it becoming as big as Android or iOS any time soon, but I think it'd be able to secure the third place and who knows, we might end up saying Big 3 instead of Big 2 in not too distant future.
Ronnnie on 10/10/2015 - 16:26

I like the new models, but like the new nexus and iPhone they're too pricey for my liking. I was expecting the 950 to be less expensive.

Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL

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