Microsoft Lumia 950 XL vs. Nokia Lumia 1520: Specs, Price, Camera Samples Showdown

Microsoft’s Lumia 950 XL has apparently been showcased at the Microsoft Stores across the U.S. This has enabled many curious Windows Phone users to get a hands-on experience with the new device, prior to purchasing it.

Redditor "Guyman101" got a chance to check out the Lumia 950 XL and compare the same with his own Lumia 1520. Here is a comparison of specs, features and price of the erstwhile Nokia Lumia 1520 and the new Microsoft Lumia 950 XL. To top it off, readers can also check out the camera samples from the link provided by the Redditor.

Lumia 950 XL vs. Lumia 1520: Display, Design

The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL sports a huge 5.7-inch AMOLED display, complemented by a QHD resolution of 1,440 x 2,560 pixels, whereas the Lumia 1520 features a humongous 6.0-inch IPS LCD display with 1,080 x 1,920 pixels Full HD resolution. The display specs of the Microsoft and Nokia devices translate to a pixel density of 518 ppi and 367 ppi, respectively.

Speaking of design, similar to other Lumia series of devices, the new Lumia 950 XL also features the same plastic construction. The plastic chassis apparently helps in keeping the handset lightweight. However, the premium feel is missing especially when compared to high-end smartphones released HTC and Samsung, Phone Arena reported.

The Nokia Lumia 1520, meanwhile, has familiar design elements seen in the Lumia 925. The handset is invariably made of plastic and the top and bottom edges are apparently rounded. Apart from this, the rectangular brick-like look and chamfered sides have been maintained in this handset, according to GSM Arena.

Lumia 950 XL vs. Lumia 1520: Under The Hood

Released in 2013, the Lumia 1520 runs on Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, which is upgradeable to Windows 10. The Lumia 950 XL, on the other hand, runs on Windows 10 out of the box. While the Lumia 950 XL comes powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, the old handset utilizes a Snapdragon 800 SoC.

The Lumia 950 XL comes backed by 3 GB of RAM, while the Lumia 1520 settles for 2 GB. The Nokia handset comes equipped with 16 GB or 32 GB of in-built storage with expandable memory option of up to 64 GB. The Microsoft device, meanwhile, comes with 32 GB of internal space and microSD card slot for expansion of up to a whopping 200 GB.

Lumia 950 XL vs. Lumia 1520: Camera, Battery

Technically, both the handsets flaunt the same 20-megapixel rear-facing camera unit with Carl Zeiss optics, 4K video and optical image stabilization support. Nevertheless, the new device features an industry-first triple-LED flash, whereas the old handset houses a dual-LED flash.

Even though there is no doubt that the Nokia handset is one of the best devices with a killer camera unit, the new Lumia 950 XL apparently stands out when comparing the camera samples captured from the Microsoft Store. Check out the slew of photo comparisons between the Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 1520, uploaded by Redditor "Guyman101." On the front, the Lumia 1520 features a 2.1-megapixel unit, whereas the latest device seals the deal with a generous 5-megapixel snapper for selfies and video chats.

Moreover, the Lumia 1520 comes equipped with 3,400 mAh (non-removable) unit, while the Lumia 950 XL is almost there with a 3,340 mAh (removable) cell. In addition, both the phones house wireless battery charging option.

Lumia 950 XL vs. Lumia 1520: Additional Features

Apart from the standard connectivity options, the Lumia 950 XL comes with an USB Type-C port, while the Lumia 1520 settles for the ubiquitous microUSB v2.0 port. Plus, the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL authenticates the user with the help of an iris scanner, while the Lumia 1520 asks for the usual password.

Lumia 950 XL vs. Lumia 1520: Price, Release Date

Engadget has reported the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL price and release date as $649 and November, respectively. On the other hand, the old Lumia 1520 with 16 GB storage can now be availed for just $340 from Amazon.