Microsoft 950 XL vs Apple iPhone 6s Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note5: specs comparison
posted by Peter K.
/ Oct 06, 2015, 11:19 AM
Microsoft just announced its brand new 5.7-inch Lumia 950 XL, a new addition to its smartphone portfolio. The thing that truly captures in this device is the liquid cooling tech that aims to put the leash on the on-board Snapdragon 810 chipset and prevent it from over-heating, which is an issue plaguing it.
The Lumia 950 XL has a pretty good specs sheet, to say the least. We won't list all of the specs here, as these can be viewed by scrolling down. Apart from the raw technical data, you will certainly notice the two other rather notable headsets that we've also thrown in: the iPhone 6s Plus and the Galaxy Note5.
the average is 6 oz (172 g)
the average is 6 oz (172 g)
the average is 6 oz (172 g)
the average is 23 h (1379 min)
the average is 21 days (498 h)
the average is 21 days (498 h)
the average is 23 h (1387 min)
the average is 23 h (1387 min)
the average is 23 h (1387 min)
As we are curious to see how the three compare against each other.
Microsoft Lumia 950 XL vs Apple iPhone 6s Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Display
Display size
Resolution
Pixel density
Technology
AMOLED
IPS LCD
Super AMOLED
Screen-to-body ratio
74.15 %
67.91 %
76.62 %
Colors
16 777 216
16 777 216
16 777 216
Peak brightness
500 cd/m2 (nit)
Camera
Rear
Yes
Yes
Yes
Main camera
Hardware Features
Optical image stabilization, Autofocus, Back-illuminated sensor (BSI)
Sapphire crystal lens cover, Optical image stabilization, Phase detection autofocus, Back-illuminated sensor (BSI)
Optical image stabilization, Phase detection autofocus, CMOS image sensor, Back-illuminated sensor (BSI)
Specifications
Aperture size: F1.9; Focal length: 26 mm; Sensor size: 1/2.4"; Pixel size: 1.12 μm
Aperture size: F2.2; Focal length: 29 mm; Sensor size: 1/3"; Pixel size: 1.22 μm
Aperture size: F1.9; Focal length: 28 mm; Sensor size: 1/2.6"; Pixel size: 1.12 μm
Flash
Tricolor LED
Dual LED
LED
Software Features
HDR, Panorama, Face detection, Burst mode, Exposure compensation, ISO control, White balance presets, Self-timer, Digital zoom, Geo tagging
HDR, Panorama, Face detection, Burst mode, Exposure compensation, Touch to focus, Self-timer, Geo tagging
RAW image capture, HDR, Panorama, Face detection, Burst mode, Macro mode, Scenes, Effects, Exposure compensation, ISO control, White balance presets, Shutter speed control, Touch to focus, Self-timer, Digital zoom, Geo tagging
Video recording
3840x2160 (4K UHD) (30 fps), 1920x1080 (Full HD) (60 fps), 1280x720 (HD) (120 fps)
3840x2160 (4K UHD) (30 fps), 1920x1080 (Full HD) (120 fps), 1280x720 (HD) (240 fps)
3840x2160 (4K UHD) (30 fps), 2560x1440 (QHD), 1920x1080 (Full HD) (60 fps), 1280x720 (HD), 640x480 (VGA)
Recording format
MPEG4, H.264
Features
Optical image stabilization, Continuous autofocus, Video light, Video calling, Video sharing
Optical image stabilization, Time-lapse video, Continuous autofocus, Video calling, Video sharing
Optical image stabilization, Continuous autofocus, Object tracking, Digital image stabilization, Video calling
Front
5 megapixels
5 megapixels
5 megapixels
Video capture
1920x1080 (Full HD)
Design
Dimensions
Weight
the average is 6 oz (172 g)
the average is 6 oz (172 g)
the average is 6 oz (172 g)
Materials
Back: Plastic
Back: Aluminum
Back: Glass; Frame: Metal
Biometrics
Iris scanner
Fingerprint (touch)
Fingerprint (touch)
Features
Touch sensitive control keys
Stylus, Touch sensitive control keys
Hardware & Performance
System chip
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994
Apple A9 APL1022
Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 7420
Processor
GPU
Adreno 430
PowerVR GT7600
Mali-T760 MP8
RAM
Storage expansion
Slot Type
microSDXC, microSDHC, microSD
OS
Windows (10 Mobile)
iOS (12.x, 11.x, 10.x, 9.x)
Android (7.0 Nougat, 6.0 Marshmallow, 5.1 Lollipop), Samsung TouchWiz UI
Battery
Capacity
3340 mAh
2750 mAh
3000 mAh
Talk time
the average is 23 h (1379 min)
Stand-by time
the average is 21 days (498 h)
the average is 21 days (498 h)
Talk time (3G)
the average is 23 h (1387 min)
the average is 23 h (1387 min)
the average is 23 h (1387 min)
Internet use
3G
12 hours
LTE
12 hours
Wi-Fi
12 hours
Music playback
75.00 hours
80.00 hours
64.00 hours
Video playback
11.00 hours
14.00 hours
15.00 hours
Cellular
LTE (FDD)
Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28
Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29
Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28
LTE (TDD)
Bands 38, 40
Bands 38, 39, 40, 41
Bands 40
UMTS
850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz
850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz
850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz
GSM
850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
CDMA
800, 1700/2100, 1900 MHz
Data
Connectivity
Mobile Payment
Apple Pay
Samsung Pay
Multimedia
Screen mirroring
Wireless screen share, SlimPort
Wireless screen share
Shopping information
MSRP price
$ 949
Microsoft Lumia 950 XL
Related phones
21 Comments
2. TechieXP1969
Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013
The 950XL is $649 ro start, same cost as an iPhone and $50 less than the Note. But again I dont understand why this is being compared to a Note. The Lumia doesn't come with a stylus or Stylus specific features.
Why is it not being compared with the S6 Edge+?
A fair comparison ---
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=7263&idPhone2=7243&idPhone3=7467
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 11:36 AM 0
20. vincentwansink
Posts: 2; Member since: Nov 05, 2015
Yes, it should be compared against the Galaxy 6S Edge, but unfortunately that link you posted shows an incorrect processor for the 950XL. It shows a Quad-Core 1.5Ghz, but it should be an Octa-core 2.0Ghz. Makes me wonder what else they got wrong in those spec sheets.
posted on Nov 05, 2015, 6:13 PM 0
3. Diego!
Posts: 863; Member since: Jun 15, 2009
950 XL looks great! It's my next phone for sure! :D
I don't get this:
Display
Physical size 5.7 inches 5.5 inches 5.7 inches
Resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels 1080 x 1920 pixels 1440 x 2560 pixels
Pixel density 515 ppi 401 ppi 518 ppi
If 950XL and Note 5 have the same size and resolution, why does Samsung Galaxy Note 5 have more ppi than 950XL?
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 11:36 AM 2
5. NOKIAest1865
Posts: 13; Member since: Aug 18, 2015
The note 5 has 3 extra pixels added in by Sammy for no particular reason
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 11:40 AM 0
6. TechieXP1969
Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013
Click the link in post 2.
GSM has it right. The PPI is also 518.
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 11:42 AM 2
8. nuldolor5x.com unregistered
Microsoft Lumia 950 XL (151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1 mm) Screen-to-body ratio: 74.15 % and
Samsung Galaxy Note5 (153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm) Screen-to-body ratio: 76.62 %. aah, no time for the icrap, too tall.
Can someone explain to me why the Note 5 is taller than the MS 950 XL but still have a better screen to body ratio?
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 11:47 AM 0
10. TechieXP1969
Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013
Smaller bezels on the Note?
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 11:50 AM 0
11. TechieXP1969
Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013
5.7 inches (~74.3% screen-to-body ratio) - 950XL
5.5 inches (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) - iPhone 6S
5.7 inches (~75.9% screen-to-body ratio) - Note 5
5.7 inches (~75.6% screen-to-body ratio) - S6 Edge+
GSMARENA has these posted.
Not sure what PhoneArena is doing.
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 11:54 AM 0
18. hound.master
Posts: 1044; Member since: Feb 27, 2015
Em there's also bezels at sides with are less noticeable!
posted on Oct 07, 2015, 6:27 AM 0
21. vincentwansink
Posts: 2; Member since: Nov 05, 2015
Another spec sheet I saw listed 518 ppi for the 950 XL. Maybe this one is wrong?
posted on Nov 05, 2015, 6:14 PM 0
4. hound.master
Posts: 1044; Member since: Feb 27, 2015
Wtf is wrong with the standby time they're surely wrong both 2g and 3g.
And wtf again iPhone 6s plus is bigger than these phones.
Hey why there's no mention of the liquid cooling technology they announce!?
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 11:38 AM 0
9. TechieXP1969
Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013
I am amazing how the S6 Edge+ is slightly larger than the 950XL, slightly smaller than the iPhone 6S plus, packs in far more internals and manages to be lighter..
Good job Microsoft. I havent used a Windows Phone in a while because i tried 2 way back with Windows Phone when they first came out and I was so disappointed with them.
But now it looks very good, with Flagship classed hardware. Ii am surprised there is no biometrics on the phone. I want a 20MP camera
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 11:47 AM 0
15. ZeroCide
Posts: 810; Member since: Jan 09, 2013
Stupid Sprint better get the Lumia 950XL phone
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 12:01 PM 0
16. TechieXP1969
Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013
Don't count on it. CDMA carreiers just arent going to carry them. You need to get with ATT or T-Mobile. But more so ATT.
Microosft has a bigger/better relationshop with ATT because all the business guys work for companies that purchase their phones and they use ATT because they are GSM, they travel and its that's simple.
If you want a Windows Phone ATT is your best shot. Sprint and VZW combine have less business customers and thus have the fewest Microsoft phone sales. This has been the case for decades.
Sprint and Verizon are not stupid to carry phones that dont sell on their network. That focus is on you for not moving to a network that supports the devices you want to buy.
I fell into that too and I finally pulled the plug on Verizon for the same reasons.
The Lumia isnt a consumer oriented phone. It is a business phone liek Windows Mobile has always been, and the network that is for business is AT&T.
posted on Oct 06, 2015, 12:29 PM 0
17. SundovChildress
Posts: 71; Member since: Sep 20, 2015
Here is a video about transferring important data from Android smartphone to galaxy s6 edge+, also works with iPhone 6S Plus and Galaxy Note 5
fb.com/KSOFT.CC/videos/725841427521172/
posted on Oct 07, 2015, 1:42 AM 0
19. Droids-R-us
Posts: 35; Member since: Sep 17, 2012
Hmm, the note 5 does have time lapse and video sharing, why is it missing from the list here? Perhaps because it is called by a different name or used in a different way?
Check out the web to find out.
