Microsoft's new premium Lumia 950 XL phablet will go up against a slew of new smartphones, including the Apple iPhone 6s Plus, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, and the recently announced Google Nexus 6P.
Should you ditch iOS for Windows 10, or Samsung for Microsoft? Let's compare.
Size
The Lumia 950 XL is the smallest and lightest of the four phablets, and the only to come in at just under 6 inches and 6 ounces. When compared to the Note 5, the difference is negligible, but the Nexus 6P and iPhone 6s Plus are about a third of an inch longer, and weigh nearly half an ounce and a full ounce more than the 950 XL, respectively. Among phablets, Microsoft and Samsung's offerings are a bit more pocket-friendly.Display
The Lumia 950 XL, Galaxy Note 5, and Nexus 6P all seem to have the exact same (or at least very nearly identical) 5.7-inch, 2,560-by-1,440-resolution AMOLED screen. All three phones offer 518ppi, overshadowing the iPhone 6s Plus' slightly smaller 5.5-inch, 1080p LED-backlit LCD screen. However, the iPhone 6s Plus offers its unique 3D Touch touch screen feature. And of the four phones, the Galaxy Note 5 is the only one with a built-in stylus that makes interacting with its screen more precise.| Name | Microsoft Lumia 950 XL | Apple iPhone 6s Plus (AT&T) | Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (Verizon Wireless) | Google Nexus 6P |
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| Operating System as Tested | Windows 10 | iOS 9 | Android 5.0 | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Octa-Core | Apple A9 | Samsung Exynos 7420 Octa-Core | Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Octa-Core |
| Processor Speed | 2.0 GHz | 1.8 GHz | 2.1 GHz | 2.0 GHz |
| Dimensions | 5.98 by 3.09 by 0.32 inches | 6.23 by 3.07 by 0.29 inches | 6 by 3 by 0.3 inches | 6.27 by 3.06 by 0.28 inches |
| Weight | 5.82 oz | 6.77 oz | 6.03 lb | 6.27 oz |
| Screen Size | 5.7 inches | 5.5 inches | 5.7 inches | 5.7 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 2,560 by 1,440 pixels | 1,920 by 1,080 pixels | 2,560 by 1,440 pixels | 2,560 by 1,440 pixels |
| Screen Pixels Per Inch | 518 ppi | 401 ppi | 518 ppi | 518 ppi |
| Camera Resolution | 20.7 MP Rear; 5 MP Front-Facing | 12 MP Rear; 5 MP Front-Facing | 16 MP Rear, 5 MP Front-Facing | 12.3 MP Rear; 8 MP Front-Facing |
| Video Camera Resolution | 4K, 1080p | 4K, 1080p | 4K, 1080p | 4K, 1080p |
| 802.11x/Band(s) | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| microSD Slot | Yes | No | No | No |
| Read the Review | Read the Review | Read the Review | Read the Review |
Power
The Lumia 950 XL and the Nexus 6P share the same 2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 CPU. The iPhone 6s Plus and Galaxy Note 5 are a bit more inscrutable, with A9 and Exynos processors, respectively.
With Windows 10, iOS 9, and different versions of Android for the Nexus and Note 5, we have an unpredictable playing field for performance. That said, all four phones have strong hardware, and the iPhone 6s Plus and Galaxy Note 5 returned solid benchmarks in our tests, which makes the Snapdragon 810 head to head between the Lumia and the Nexus that much more interesting. We'll find out the final verdict when we test both phones in the lab.
Ecosystem
Windows 10 still stands at a distant third behind iOS and Android in terms of app selection. However, Microsoft has been pushing Windows 10 hard, and the OS offers several advantages like deeper desktop integration and Continuum, which lets the Lumia 950 XL and other Windows 10 smartphones function like PCs. Like the old iOS versus Android debate, ultimately the answer will be based entirely on what you want your phone to do.Price
Flagship phablet prices have become very daunting, with Apple and Samsung's 6-inch smartphones brushing up near the $800 mark. Meanwhile, the Google Nexus 6P will be available at a much more affordable $499. The Lumia 950 XL is lodged squarely between the two price tags at $649. It's a standard price for a sub-6-inch flagship smartphone, like the iPhone 6s. Either way, those prices might change wildly if you buy any phone with a contract.
For more, check out Lumia 950 vs. iPhone 6s vs. Galaxy S6: OS Rivals Face Off.