Review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

In 2010, Microsoft announced its first after Windows Mobile 6.5, the mobile operating system of Windows Phone 7 Series. Almost immediately the name shortened to Windows Phone 7 because it was too long. For this reason, alone it was possible to understand that there are contradictions within Microsoft about mobile products. While the company does encourage internal competition, and very often a team can not know what the other. Whatever it was, from that began the history of modern mobile operating systems, Microsoft. Another important phase of it going on right now, because, after fifteen years of silence, the company released a new flagship smartphone. And they no longer work on Windows Phone, and on the mobile version of Windows 10. To our office got a review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM, let’s look at his example, whether Microsoft will be able to oust competitors and what can the new OS.

Contents of delivery: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

Included with the review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM comes Charger USB Type-C as well as a separate cable USB Type-C to USB.

Design and materials: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

The review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM looks typical of the latest models of the line and apparently it is difficult to attribute to the flagship. The design of the smartphone there is nothing interesting and it looks frankly boring, if not worse. This is especially contrasted against the backdrop of nice design Lumia 930.

Materials used in the 950th, too, have changed for the worse, the case of the novelty all-plastic. At the same time covering the back cover even soft touch, it just dull.

The only advantage of the plastic housing can be called unless a removable cover, which gives access to the battery, as well as two slots for the Nano SIM And unto one microSD.

The front panel of the smartphone covers protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 3 oleophobic coating.

On which side do not look at the review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM, it is difficult to see in it a flagship smartphone. It seems that this design was developed even four years ago in Nokia, and in Microsoft simply decided not to throw away the gift bought.

Display: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

Screen review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM is 5.2 inches, and resolution – 2560 × 1440 pixels, and is the first smartphone from Microsoft, in which the pixel density reaches 564 dpi. The minimum brightness of the display is 12.9 cd / m2, and the maximum – 455 cd / m2. As in the previous flagship Lumia, the new model uses a matrix AMOLED, which allows using the built-in tools to customize the display by itself.

However, factory calibration, and so well done. The color palette of the screen is greater than sRGB, although not as much as it usually happens with AMOLED. The average range is on the level – 2. The color temperature – 7000K.

Using a matrix AMOLED allowed Microsoft to completely turn off the display review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM after locking, and output to the time, date, calendar events, and alerts. It’s really good and not too consumed battery, although even more savings this feature can be disabled.

In general, the screen review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM is as expected from a leader. And if you like the design of the smartphone is not all, then, at least, the display does not disappoint.

Platform and Performance: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

Like a number of flagships in 2015, review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM received 6-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 808 1.8 GHz, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory which can be expanded at the expense of cards microSD.

Despite the more “cool” than the Snapdragon processor 810, review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM manages to heat up significantly. Even not very resource-intensive tasks of the body temperature can reach 45 degrees Celsius. In addition, the smartphone heats up during charging.

Performance Snapdragon 808 and 3 GB of RAM should be enough margin for a modern smartphone. But, apparently, poor optimization Windows Mobile 10 negates all the credit Qualcomm. Interface OS retarding, an animation is not always smooth and even light applications run with a noticeable delay.

Windows 10

The idea, which Microsoft has decided to actively return to the smartphone market is inherently wonderful. The company is developing 10 single Windows platform that runs on a desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone and Xbox One. At the same time, developers have the necessary tools to create a universal application for the new OS, which can be scaled to the different resolution. It sounds very tempting, agree? In fact, of course, Windows 10 on the Lumia 950 Dual SIM, and Windows 10 on your computer – this is not one system, but they do have much in common, both in code and interface. And developers can actually create the platform for universal application, that is only the most active player in this field it is still only is Microsoft. While we must pay tribute, it turns out, the company quite well.

Interface: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

The mobile version of Windows 10, even though it is a completely different OS, kept a lot to do with Windows Phone. The main system screen still consists of tiles, which can be three dimensions. At the highest embodiment of the tiles on the display as it may appear more information on the widget.

Tiles can now be sorted into folders, which significantly reduces the size of the tape, which some Windows Phone users has reached truly monstrous dimensions.

Another important innovation – a battery indicator and network connections are now displayed at the top of the screen permanently.

If you pull on the top of the screen down, the curtain opens with alerts, as well as quick access to the settings.

The main menu is still left to access it, you need to page through from right to left.

The bottom navigation bar can now hide gesture from the top down, and show if you hold your finger on the contrary. But it is only running in the UI and system applications.

Settings in Windows Mobility 10 are drawn in the same style as the standard OS. They are divided into categories and contain enough detailed points that allow you to customize the system to their needs.

Multitasking is displayed in the form of open windows. To close them, you can use the cross on each of them, or draw every down. At the same time if you pull the window up, then nothing will happen. Apparently at Microsoft thought that because the windows do not close properly.

In general, five years later versions of Windows Mobile interface still looks fresh, and while it has indeed become more convenient. But Microsoft is still a desire not so much as its competitors simply cut the ground from under the feet of Android users and iOS, developers who have long copied each other. Thus, Microsoft has again received an original mobile operating system, but in some moments and I want to interface to the company released the developers to play with Android and iOS.

Browser Edge

One example of Microsoft does not desire because everyone is a new browser Edge. He has the address bar is at the bottom, not the top in Mobile Safari and Chrome.

Not that it was really very uncomfortable, but considering that even in the desktop Edge on top of it, such an arrangement is not very logical. Except for this little dissonance in the design, the browser turned out quite good.

It loads pages quickly, there is a “read mode”, support for synchronization with desktop bookmarks Edge and a download manager.

Mail and Outlook calendar

Built-in email application of the new OS has been called Outlook, but its functionality is still closer to the standard program for an e-mail from Windows 10. From the desktop Outlook is just a name. Although in general, the possibility of e-mail client Windows Mobile 10 is higher than Windows Phone. It added the advanced formatting options, as well as comfortable working with attachments. However, the application formats the letters a bit strange, and it is not possible to combine the two accounts into one inbox.

Together with the mail of Outlook, Windows Mobile 10 has the same name calendar. It is also almost a full copy of the calendar in the desktop Windows 10. The functionality of the program standard, to the calendar you can add events with time, place, and invited participants.

Mail users and Google Calendar can seamlessly connect to your current account to the mobile Windows 10. We only have to enter your login and password. Later it works just fine.

Integrating Skype

As in the last update of Windows 10 desktop, the mobile version has the application “Messages” which has as support for SMS, MMS, and Skype.

Accordingly, separately install the application to communicate with Skype is not necessary, the service is already integrated into the system. The same goes for video calls.

OneNote

The application for the popular note-taking service from Microsoft also updated in the mobile Windows 10. However, the main innovation is more about interface design than functionality.

In OneNote, you can still add text notes, lists, images. As for the interface, it is closer to Windows 10.

Cards: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

In the mobile version of Windows 10 are integrated pretty good cards from HERE, which can be downloaded for use offline.

The card is a map of congestion on the streets of Kiev, car, pedestrian navigation, and travel by public transport.

Microsoft Office

Embedded applications office suite, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is a simplified version of desktop programs.

They do not support complex formatting, but it does allow you to create and edit documents Microsoft Office.

Keyboard: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

Built-in to the mobile version of Windows 10 virtual keyboard on Windows Phone took all the best and was supplemented with some innovations. The size of the keyboard can be changed, it can be large, medium and small. The last two points are useful unless larger smartphones for review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM, they look too small.

Typing on the keyboard Windows 10 convenient keys are large enough, there is a prediction of the text and the ability to enter text swipe. Another interesting innovation in the keyboard – a small dot between the keys, while holding that turns into a joystick, and allows you to comfortably move the cursor through the text.

Working with Google services: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

Despite the fact that the user has Windows Mobile 10 can be connected without any problems mail and calendar Google, as the rest of the official program of the company for that platform no. Except for the application, Google Search for Windows Phone, which has not been updated since 2013.

Thus, for Windows Mobile 10 no official YouTube, or Google Maps, or Google Photo, or Google Music. Search applications for these services have in the decisions of third-party developers, and often they are paid.

Third-party applications

In general, the range of programs in the “Shop” Windows Mobile 10 is not as big as on Android and iOS. Some applications have not been updated for several years. Due to the small percentage of Windows Phone on the market, developers saw no reason to write to her, focusing on Android and iOS.

Universal app for Windows 10 would solve the problem because they can work not only on your phone but also laptops and desktops, where Microsoft’s operating system is still the most popular. However, while there are no signs that it’s really going to happen. In any case, until the owner of the smartphone on Windows 10 will not be able to get new programs and games, which are now almost simultaneously come to Android or iOS.

Glitches Windows Mobile 10

Unfortunately, the current version of Windows 10 for smartphones not entirely stable, at least for the Lumia 950 Dual SIM.

The operating system is sometimes retarding no draws some elements of the interface (most often the background to the menu), and reboots. It is possible that some or even all of the bugs this build will be corrected, but still using Windows 10 on the review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM, involuntarily feel a beta tester.

Continuum: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

One of the “chips” new flagship smartphones Microsoft is the Continuum, a new feature that allows you to turn your smartphone into a kind of computer.

To work with Continuum need a special dock Microsoft Display Dock, which connects to the Lumia 950 through a USB Type C, and to a monitor via HDMI or Display Port. When you connect your smartphone recognizes the docking station and offers to run mode Continuum, rearranging the interface for a display resolution of the monitor (which, incidentally, can be up to 4K).

Thus, the user sees on the screen a kind of interface Windows 10 desktop, and even with the button “Start”. But in fact, it is really just a mobile interface that is scaled to fit the monitor.

Accordingly, the applications that are available in the mode of Continuum is not synonymous with programs from Windows 10. In Microsoft call them “universal,” meaning that they can run on different devices with Windows 10 and adjust to various screen diagonals.

In practice, as long as such “universal” apps from third-party developers almost there, so have to settle for the standard from Microsoft. In fact, it’s not so bad, at the disposal of the user there is browser Edge with the interface like desktop, e-mail Outlook, Posts Skype, the ability to edit documents in Microsoft Office.

The main body of the docking station Display Dock has three ports USB, which allows it to connect to the mouse and keyboard. But other than that, once connected to the dock display review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM itself turns into a pretty good touchpad and virtual keyboard of the smartphone can be used for input.

All this looks very promising until you try to connect the Lumia 950 to monitor and resolve any normal workload. For example, see the information on the site, add it to a document and send it by mail. And here immediately faced with the biggest challenge Continuum – performance smartphone is not enough to comfortably work in the interface on Windows Mobile 10 Full HD Monitor.

Even with a fast connection sites are loaded for a long time, and the system is retarding when switching between windows, even if open all three programs: a browser, mail, and Word. As a result, you catch yourself thinking that is much faster and more comfortable to open your laptop or computer to run than to suffer from Continuum. This mode could be useful if it can be had to solve situational problems. Let’s say you need to show the customer an important presentation, but the laptop just broke down. Here we are, of course, We reach out of your pocket Lumia 950 and connect it to the TV. Hooray, the presentation is saved. But in reality, it is unlikely you will just carry a pretty hefty dock for Continuum. It’s mostly a stationary solution, which is hardly the right time at hand. One could, of course, to suggest that someone might want to go directly to the presentation of a docking station, and show it to the Lumia 950. But in this case, we should not forget that the smartphone installed a stripped-down mobile Microsoft Office and not in it everything is shown as on the desktop.

As a result, it is important to note that the Continuum is definitely an interesting solution, but its implementation leaves much to be desired. Perhaps in the future, when the performance of the smartphone will be higher for Windows will be more “universal” applications and to connect will not need a separate docking station while Continuum can be considered as easy replacement PC. But as long as this function is unlikely to be popular among users of Lumia 950, especially given that the dock should be purchased separately.

Camera: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

Lumia Smartphones Microsoft has got a very important advantage – good camera. At the time, Nokia has invested seriously in technology PureView and cooperation with Zeiss. It’s nice that Microsoft still is not buried. The review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM uses a 20-megapixel photo module with an aperture f / 1.9, and the optics of 6 lenses. In automatic mode, the camera shows good quality images and detail.

Autonomy: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

The review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM installed removable battery capacity of 3000 mAh, which is enough for daily use in medium load. Windows Mobile 10 was slightly voracious than Windows Phone, which has been generally good indicators of autonomy. Microsoft has yet to optimize the power consumption of the new operating system to at least the old. While the Lumia 950 Dual SIM demonstrates normal smartphone autonomy, have to charge the device every day.

Verdict: review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM

If Windows Phone still have fans, they will definitely be happy with Windows Mobile 10 system has become a little better, and it has more potential for development than in all previous years. But for everyone else, buy review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM, reviewed here, is not the best solution. The smartphone can offer for their money is nothing that would not be in the other models, but it has less design and raw operating system for which there are the most popular applications. Function Continuum proved interesting only on paper until it’s just a demonstration of what can be smartphones in the future. But until she is able to turn Lumia 950 to the computer. Microsoft should rethink its strategy in the smartphone market, the release of the company’s expensive models only worsens their situation. Members were willing to endure all the hardships the mobile version of Windows 10, but only if adequate cost smartphones Microsoft.

Pros of the review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM:

+ Display
+ Camera
+ MicroSD memory expansion slot

Cons of the review smartphone Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM:

– Design and materials
– Heating body
– Glitches Windows 10

Source: device-boom