Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Black – Chocoball

Impressive high-end Lumia smartphone with QHD display, PureView camera, NFC, wireless charging and a real irisscanner. The hardware is fine but the housing is less exciting for a high-end smartphone. Downsides are mainly to find the battery life, some bugs in the OS and the amount of bloatware.

Pros

• QHD AMOLED display
• Camera with 3 LED flash
• Irisscanner
• Fast charging

Cons

• Keys plastic housing
• Battery life is disappointing
• Under the lwa installed apps (bloatware)
• Bugs in Windows 10

Final conclusion

Score: 4Per criterion

Range

Score: 4

Schiphol, Thursday 10 december 2015. My Samsung Galaxy Note II indicates that it is just a few minutes past 5 in the afternoon. Together with 4 other Tweakers I am sitting in a meeting room at Microsoft to wait on what is to come. Also present is o.a. Frederik, all of us better known as a Strainer on Tweakers, together with 2 colleagues of Tweakers. Microsoft is also due to the number of people represented including the marketing manager of the Benelux. My fellow Tweakers, and I had participated in the challenge, “do you Want the Lumia 950 XL test? – Return your phone and go to the challenge”.

In a few moments I go my Samsung Galaxy Note II for 2 weeks to trade to my first experiences with the Lumia 950 XL and Windows 10 Mobile. Before that, we are first on a comprehensive program treated. After an introduction by Microsoft, we get a demonstration of the Lumia 950 XL i.c.m. with the Display Dock. The Display Dock is linked to an impressive-looking Microsoft Surface Hub. After the demonstration we get a short guided tour of Microsoft, and how Microsoft deals with the concept of The New Work. The tour is concluded with a good meal and then finally the moment is there. First, can my Note II in a thick envelope with my name on it and it disappears along with the other smartphones in a suitcase. Thereafter, the Lumia 950 XL smartphones awarded. As a bonus, we will also receive a goodie bag with fun Microsoft and Tweakers goodies. The Display Dock is there, however, and this we can be ordered free of charge via the Lumia Offerings app.

It is time to go home and the Microsoft Lumia and Display Dock in the coming weeks to the tooth feel.Table of contents

1. Packaging & contents
2. Specifications
3. Finish & features
4. Tests & user experience
5. Windows 10 Mobile & apps
6. Accessories
7. Conclusion

The packaging of the Lumia 950 XL is firmly on the front and back images of the Lumia 950 XL.

Inside the Lumia 950 XL well packed in plastic film and then in the box next to it is the following included:1x 3340mAh Lithium-Ion battery
1x 3A 5V USB-C charger with cable (black)
1x USB-C cable (black)
1x Information kit in Dutch and English

It is remarkable that the charger is a non-removable USB-C cable and that also a single USB-C cable is included. The information package contains o.a. a snelhandleiding in 10 steps the Lumia 950 XL ready for use.

SpecificatieOmschrijvingSOC Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, 8-core 2.0 GHzGPU Adreno 430Memory and storageLPDDR4 3 GB RAM, 32 GB of ROMDisplay of 5.7-inch AMOLED with QHD resolution (2560×1440), 518 ppi, ClearBlack, capacitive, multitouch, Corning Gorilla Glass/ DragontailCorning Gorilla Glass Class 4SIM card sizeNano SIMDual SIMNo, not available from Microsoft NetherlandsMobile network,GSM 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz: WCDMA Band 1 (2100 MHz), Band 2 (1900 MHz), Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz), Band 5 (850 MHz), Band 8 (900 MHz) 4G FDD LTE: Band 1 (2100 MHz), Band 2 (1900 MHz), Band 3 (1800 MHz), Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz), Band 5 (850MHz), Band 7 (2600 MHz), Band 8 (900MHz), Band 12 (700 MHz), Band 17 (700MHz), Band 20 (800MHz), Band 28 (700 MHz) 4G TD-LTE: Band 38 (2570-2620 MHz), Band 40 (2300-2400 MHz)Data transfer2G: EDGE, GPRS; 3G: HSPA, HSDPA, HSPA+, HSUPA, UMTS; 4G: LTE, LTE, LTE Advanced,Wi-Fi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO, Wi-Fi call, Wi-Fi hotspotCameraFor 5MP f/2.4; Rear: 20MP PureView f/1.9 with 3-fold LED flash, optical stabilization,video Resolution: 1080p (Full HD, 1920 x 1080); Rear: 4K (Ultra HD, 3840 x 2160) 30 fps SD card supportExpandable to 200 GBSensorsAmbient light sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity, Barometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, SensorCoreNavigationA-GPS, A-Glonass, A-BeiDouConnectivityBluetooth 4.1, USB-C, USB 3.1, USB Dual role, NFCFeaturesIris scanner, Lumia Glance, BitLocker, Qi wireless charging,OS Windows 10 Mobile (10.0.10586.29)DimensionsLength 151,9 mm x Width 78,4 mm x Thickness 8.1 mm Weight165 gramsColourBlackThe specifications may also be found at Microsoft.

The Microsoft Lumia concept has no smartphones with a metal body or glass back but with a plastic housing. Despite the high-end specifications, the Lumia 950 XL is no exception and it has a plastic housing.

The design of the Lumia 950 XL is quite tight with straight edges and only the edges at the display is curved and the outer edges of the back walk to be a bit smaller. An advantage is also that the back to remove, and provides access to the removable battery and SD card slot. If the color is black not like, is the back to swap for a non official lwa le back.

At the top, exactly in the middle, the headphones jack and the bottom is the USB-C connector for fast charging and data transfer. All the keys are located to the right leaving on the left, nothing is. On the back is a large “hump” where the PureView camera and 3-fold LED flash in it. Also sitting at the back of a speaker and 2 of the total of 4 microphones.

On the front we find 2 microphones, ambient light and proximity sensor, the front camera and the irisscanner. In the glass bottom, there is a small hole for 1 of the 2 microphones. The 5.7 ” AMOLED display with QHD resolution features ClearBlack for better zwartwaarden, better viewing angles and less reflection. The display is Corning Gorilla glass Class 4 glass.

On the inside has the 950 XL on an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SOC, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. Furthermore, the Lumia 950 XL of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, 4G+ data connection, GPS, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC and Qi wireless charging.
BehuizingDe Lumia 950 XL feels a little big but is by the straight edges hold well. Happy the unit with 165 grams is not too heavy. The black plastic back does not feel smooth and is also not prone to fingerprints. To stay or smudges visible behind. The “hump” on the back also not that the unit will wobble when on a flat surface. Although itself is not found there are some complaints that the housing cracks. Sometimes it will help the back again, but if that does not help then it helps to have some tape on the inside.

The glass from the front seems not to be smooth in the corners. This effect is especially well seen when the 950 XL is held to the light. On the internet here in addition to notifications and on GoT, it is unclear whether this is a manufacturing defect or not.BedieningDe 950 XL has soft buttons that include a back key, Windows key and search key. By the back button for longer than 2 seconds will display a task manager to switch apps to change or close it. When the Windows key for more than 2 seconds shifts the image down so that it with 1 hand to operate. By the Windows key again for 2 seconds will display the full image again. A double tap on the navigation bar below ensures that the 950 XL is locks.

The on/off button surrounded by the volume buttons. Just as the camera key, the keys are of hard plastic with a chrome finish and is the only difference to feel because the on/off button a little more recessed than the volume keys. This gives sometimes problems when picking up the 950 XL that first time a volume key is pressed instead of the on/off button. Less fine is that the keys are quite sharp to the touch. The display can with special smartphone gloves to be controlled and reacts quickly on the control.DisplayEen of the highlights is a 5.7-inch AMOLED display with a QHD or 2K resolution of 2560 by 1440 and a pixel density of 518. Everything is hair and very sharp and because of the AMOLED display, the colors are very vibrant but also quite saturated. Possibly the color profile to make the colors less saturated. Also the zwartwaarden and contrast are very good also because of the ClearBlack technology.

The colors and brightness remain almost identical under each viewing angle. A brightness of 25% is already enough to make the display in daylight especially in combination with the option that sunlight readability is called. The 950 XL makes use of the Glance screen, this can for a certain period of time or always the time, date and any notifications to be displayed. Normally, text is white, but in the night, this can be quite bright. Therefore, there is a Night mode and can Glance screen off, the text a different colour, or between certain times be hidden. The Glance screen goes off as soon as the 950 XL in a pocket or purse to be stopped so that it does not unnecessarily remains on and saves the battery.A double tap function to set the display to wake up missing to date for unclear reasons.
GesprekskwaliteitOver the call quality is little to note, these are bright and good. Also on a wired headset or Bluetooth car kit/ headset. The only what is striking, however, is that the 4G+ connection drops to 3G.3G, 4G and Wi-Fi and BluetoothHet daily use provides Wi-Fi no problems. In Wi-fi Monitor is getting the maximum signal strength of 4 stripes indicated. Near the modem varies the signal around the -31dBM and by the house and in the attic between -45dBm and -55 dBm. This is according to Wi-fi Monitor all in the green range. In Ookla Speedtest reaches up to 20 Mbps ADSL connection with a speed of 14 Mbps. A nice privacy setting is to Use random hardware addresses. This would be more difficult to make it to your location on Wi-Fi networks to figure out. This applies only for new Wi-Fi connections.

The use of 3G or 4G is no problem. The 950 XL supports even 4G+ (LTE Advanced) which will be most welcome. The connection is usually on 4 or 4+ and occasionally H+. In Ookla Speedtest gets about 3G 17 Mbps and on 4G even 80 Mbps.

A Bluetooth device like a headset or speaker allows himself to hassle-free link. If the device does have a problem with speech then any other Bluetooth channel has to be set up.GPSVia the app Maps, is there a GPS fix in a few seconds. Also the use of a route in Maps is good and accurate. For the use of Cortana, it is necessary that the Location (GPS) turned on.NFCDe 950 XL features NFC for data transfer and NFC tag management. Due to the absence of another device with NFC or NFC data tags could this functionality not be tested. The ING app for paying with your smartphone had a nice test only is this app only available for Android.IrisscannerIn place of a finger print scanner has the 950 XL about a irisscanner. To do this, use the Windows Hello what still in beta. The scanner must first be trained to recognize the eyes. People who wear glasses are asked this without glasses. For better results it is wise to train under different lighting conditions to perform.

It works reasonably well and even in the dark. Also multiple attempts with a +1 pair of glasses is going to be successful. Only it is not faster than a finger print scanner, PIN or pattern. Sometimes the iris is not recognized, the device is blocked and still has the PIN code to be entered. After each hard reset is the input of the PIN code is mandatory.

Speaker and headsetEen bit disappointing you can the rear speaker. The sound is not much better than the average speaker of a Chinese smartphone. However, the volume of hard without the distortion. Another point is that there is sometimes spontaneous noise from the speaker is heard Often wants the help of apps to close, and otherwise a reset to perform.

Listening through a headset sounds much better and has the 950 XL is also an equalizer app with several presets and virtual surround option. FM radio is also good to listen to on the 950 XL.CameraDe 950 XL features a 20 MP PureView camera. Unknown to what sensor it is but Tweakers are holding it on a custom T4KA7 bsi sensor from Toshiba. The camera takes photos in 16:9 or 4:3 ratio, and with an aperture of 1.9.
Inside without a flash,Indoors with flash,Outdoors without flash,Indoors without flashclick on image to enlarge
The autofocus is reasonably fast but when the picture is taken, there is sometimes that the 950 XL is still in progress with the picture. This is due to the Rich Capture option but it is possible to convert. However, Rich Capture allows the exposure afterwards to adjust. Also, there is a feature Living room Images which is actually a video of 1 second will be mounted on the taken picture. In addition to that Living Images can be shared between Windows 10 devices. It’s also not Windows 10 devices to be shared but only as a photo or video. However, the camera has difficulties with focussing at the object with a light source such as a christmas tree with lights. Focused on the christmas tree remains out of focus and aim just next to the tree than is the photo sharp.
Photos with flash makes the PureView camera uses a 3-fold LED flash. All 3 of the LEDs have a different color some pictures with a more natural light.

Operation of the camera do not need the app, the 950 XL has a separate physical camera button that the camera within 2 seconds starts from the Glance screen. The front camera is a 5 MP camera and can also be photos in a 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio, with a diagfragma of 2.4.
click on image to enlarge
In Windows Phone 8.1 was the scanning of QR codes using the Bing Vision Lens. This is not available in Windows 10 Mobile and QR codes only with a non-Microsoft app from the Microsoft Store to be scanned.AccuDe 950 XL features a removable 3.340 mAh battery, what the battery life of the 950 XL and can significantly extend when the battery is less. Charging with the supplied 3A-5V adapter takes just over 2 hours. In addition to using a charger, can the 950 XL is also wireless charging via a Qi charging solution.

The battery life is however changing, sometimes just a day, and sometimes the 950 XL 1.5 day with normal use of Wi-Fi, 4G, call and chat. Or the only is the Snapdragon 810 SOC and QHD display is the question. Also the use of certain apps, connections, and brightness can influence. Fortunately, there is a possible to have apps or not in the background to run. When the Battery saver function can also be determined which apps are in the understand are still active are allowed to remain.
PrestatiesDe 950 XL features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 with 4 Cortex-A57 clocked at 2 GHz and 4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz. A SOC where a lot to do, and especially how warm it is. To warmteproblemen against Microsoft makes use of Liquid Cooling. The 950 XL is certainly warm but never really hot or it will turn itself off. It is especially hot when charging, downloading and installing updates.

There are a number of benchmark tools for Windows 10 Mobile. In WP Bench scores with the latest Insider build 10.0.10586.63 slightly higher than the scores for Tweakers.
BenchmarkScoreWP Bench cpu1391 ms (Tweakers 1672 ms)WP Bench data114,36 MB/s (Tweakers 101,30 MB/s)WP Bench gpu49 fps (Tweakers 46 fps) GFX Benchmark 2.7 T-Rex onscreen 21.32 fps (Tweakers 18 fps) GFX Benchmark 2.7 T-Rex offscreen 33.98 fps (Tweakers 26.7 fps) Antutu29762Display Dock / Continuum DockHelaas I’ve not timely, the Display Dock of Microsoft received and thus not able to test it. As soon as the Dock is indoors and I will test it and review update with my findings.

The Lumia 950 XL comes with the latest Windows OS version from Microsoft, Windows 10 Mobile.

The home screen consists of Live Tiles, what the most of Windows 8.1 to know. A swipe down from the status bar displays the most used on/off options for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight, etc. What is striking is that there is an option for audio profiles missing. The at a standstill going through 1 press a volume key, and displays the volume menu on the screen. Can the volume for ringtones, notifications, and media can be set. A swipe in from the right side to the left shows all applications in alphabetical order. It is also possible customizing the home screen. So can be determined whether there are more or fewer tiles should be displayed. Also the color and transparency of the tiles can be adjusted. Placing your own image as the background also belongs to the possibilities.

Windows 10 Mobile works surprisingly well and is smooth but the OS is not free of bugs. Sometimes, things suddenly no longer start the camera app via the camera button, apps crashing or spontaneous reboots as some Tweakers in the forum report. Another frequent complaint is the app selection in the Microsoft Store. Apps such as ING, WeChat and QQ are also found on the Windows platform, but the app for the Nefit boiler, for example. Different content the apps from their Android variant. Sometimes there are formatting something different from or even worse there is a lack of functionality. Also, it takes the startup of some apps more than their Android equivalent, may be this is the problem to the app, than Windows 10 Mobile. Switch from Android to Microsoft is not via an app, but the Google (Gmail) account to be linked to the Microsoft (Hotmail) account. So can be his or her Google Contacts to transfer.

From a business perspective is 950 XL is also interesting. In addition to Outlook and Calendar client, Office Mobile is included, which is quite pleasant to work with and otherwise associate with an Office 365. For encryption on the 950 XL, BitLocker can be deployed. Less business is Cortana, the voice assistant of Microsoft what Siri from Apple and Google Now in Android. Cortana works pretty well, for example After logging in via Hello World can I use Cortana to ask an app to start without the 950 XL have touched. You can also talk to tie in with Cortana.

For those who can’t wait for new updates is the Insider Program of Microsoft is available. Depending on the chosen ring (fast or slow) they will receive updates that have been released by Microsoft but not yet widely rolled out because they can contain errors.

What is perhaps less pleasant is the unsolicited apps that gays lwa installed are such as: Amazon, Audible, Candy Crush, Facebook, FitBit, Samsung Hub, Netflix, Shazam, Uber, and the Weather Channel. Fortunately, the apps to remove.
Mozo Genuine Leather Back slim-pack: mini who is not a black or white back can turn to several cases that are on the back to go or the back replaced by 1 with a different color or even other materials. Mozo is a Finnish manufacturer, which for the 950 XL is a back with a metal rim and genuine leather. With a price of around 50 Euro, this backs everything except goedkoop.De fit is good, the metal keys feel soft and more importantly give the Lumia 950 XL a very different appearance. Also continue to functionality as NFC and Qi wireless charging, just maintaining. Only the Microsoft logo is replaced by a Mozo logo.
Tempered glass protectorHoewel the 950 XL is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Class 4 which is more focused to damage from a fall can reduce the 950 XL can be equipped with an extra layer of tempered glass. These protectors cover generally the whole surface m.you.v. the camera, sensors and iris scanners. Also, there is a cutout for the microphone.


The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is a high-end Lumia Smartphone with a laundry list of features. The AMOLED display with QHD resolution is very nice, the unit is smooth and can quickly be recharged. The PureView camera is good, which certainly can compete with the competition and the camera app is very comprehensive. Although the irisscanner not as fast is this more pleasant. What is especially disappointing is the battery life of sometimes less than a day, so the 950 XL almost every day to the charger hangs.

A high-end device without the high-end housing is for me not a necessity. A Mozo back can the Lumia 950 XL to transform in a smartphone with metal and leather all depends there have a price tag. However, a downside are the buttons on the housing and what cheap make impression sharp to the touch.

Windows 10 is certainly a fine OS only has the sometimes annoying bugs such as the camera key which does not respond, the sound of the speaker and that apps to an abrupt stop. Also the amount of bloatware is a bit too much of the good. Microsoft is working on updates so it is hoped that they will be the battery life may improve and the number of bugs may reduce.

• QHD AMOLED display
• Camera with 3 LED flash
• Irisscanner
• Fast charging

• Keys plastic housing
• Battery life is a little disappointing
• Bugs in Windows 10
• Under the lwa installed apps (bloatware)

Thanks for reading my review about the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL. If after this review you still have questions, or suggestions you have, leave them below know. If you want my review also nominate for review of the month by clicking the banner below clicking. Thank you!

Used in combination with:

• Earson ER151 – Black
• Xiaomi Piston Iron (Silver)

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