New high-res photos of the Lumia 950 and 950 XL reveal triple LED flash, dual SIM variant

lol is right... it's been too many complaints about the ring. So what! This phone looks a lot nicer than the competition such as iPhone, Samsung, LG, HTC, Motorola and others.

One ring to rule them all. LOL

Haha, first ipods had a ring to rule it all

My precious? XD

Actually, now that you mention it, having a ring that you can allow to light up when the phone rings or get a text message would be nice. Hell, they could even tie it in with Cortona. It sounds like a gimmick, and mostly it would be, but you can't deny that it would give the phone a serious cool factor. On the other side, imagine being in a meeting and having  a visual cue to let you know you have an important message or email, without disturbing everyone else, or imagine a slow pulsating light ring to let you know that you have an appointment. Just some thoughts off the top of my head, but I think it could work.

i just never lay my phone down on a table  scenn first so that way id never see the ring lol.

I don't, actually. It's what came to mind, when I saw the picture of the phone. It wouldn't matter to me necessarily, but I think it would add a bit more coolness to the phone. As many people I've seen with their flash settings on iPhone go off, when their phone rings, I think more people would like the option than not. Besides, Apple has used ideas from WP to implement in their new phones, why not use something of theirs?

There is already Glance, why do you care if there is a ring that lights up? :))

No, it really doesn't.

bwahahahaha!

LOL. No it does not look a lot nicer. About as nice as the Samsungs and definitely a rung below the iPhones

Better than having that tiny 1800 or 1715 mAh battery from the iPhone. 12 hours battery life to match their iPencil

I own a 930 and im a huge windows phone fan but iphones have smaller batterys cause they dont need the biger battery.  That said i used iphone for 6 years and still my lumia 930 lasts longer with extensive use than any of them did so its all quite wierd.

iphones lost their good luks when the iphone 6 came out.  Yeh they feel great in the hand but they really are one ugly plain looking bit of tech, at least the galaxy went up big time in looks and quality by going metal, it looks alot nicer from my point of view than the iphone.  I do like the iphone looking from the front but gurr from any other angle.  Id say iphones have got alot of work to do in iphone 7 cause it does need it.

i dont like the 950 looks either but its certainly a few rugs above the iphone 6 in terms of looks.

It's all opinion. Not everyone has the same tastes in phone aesthetics. 

Agreed. I really like the designs. I don't know why everyone is complaining. I like most of the new Microsoft Lumia's. A couple weeks ago, my Son broke the screen of my 1520--:'(--and I got the 640 because it was inexpensive and it will hold me over until these new phones come out and I LOVE it. Looks great, works great, and feels great in the hand. Same with the 735 which may be the nicest feeling phone in the hand on the market, and it's also a looker. The 640XL is FANTASTIC, too, as well as the 830 which I convinced my Mom to get as her first Windows phone and she fell in love with it. These new 940/950 phones look great-- will probably feel just as good in the hand, too--and I'm sure they'll work even better. What makes a phone attractive, anyways?? Do we really want an iPhone/LG G4/Samsung Galaxy clone?? I sure don't.

I'm not sure to others but I think the point its not because people want have metal body or same look as other phones. No, that's just putting words to other people that they didn't intent to wish. I think its more like the looks of that device alone makes it rather unispiring or bland, which we know this is a flagship which is a combination of features, specifications, performance, and LOOKS that all gives a complete experience of the device. If one is missing then that's going to have an issue, which only justifies to make the price lower. People don't ask for iPhone/LG/Samsung clone. If that's the case then people will just buy those and leave Windows phones. That doesn't help the marketshare which is already small. We need something people to be convinced to switch and without an issue (any kinds of issue) after using it for a while. People that really want to buy it without fans to convinced them, basically normal people out there.

As aXross explain very well, we do not want iPhone or Galaxy clone. But we need the Premium in the design. And it is missing at all. Only from last pictures i see the screen is more like 930 that is good. But the whole plastic, without any metal frame or back to bring premium look... Looks cheap and the hump is ugly as hell. According to leaked measures it will be more than 20% from body thickness - 7.8/9.8mm. This is crazy idea.

It looks more classy and premium than Lumia 930.

yeh its very sujesticve, personally i love the 930 and its look and find these, not ugly by far but sertainly not the 930 quality look.

best phone to hold is the iphone 6 but its a ugly phone, i also got my mother the 830, she loves it.  Personally i think the 930 is the best looking phone i have ever owned.

Uhhhh.... No! You going too far Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

Good remark for lots of replies.
Looks cheap and ugly to me! Accented by a chrome ring just to make people notice!

No it doesn't. The 950 has to be one of the ugliest phones, only looking better than the htc m9. The 950xl looks very Lumia, but it lacks a metal band around it or simply something to make more premium.

What htc m9 is ugly??? Hmmm, for me htc m9 & 950, 950xl are best design phone of 2015.

The 920 is premium...no metal. Trust me, everybody keeps noticing my 920 at the Monday meeting. Even this week against the iPhone 6s+...it just makes a statement. It doesn't have to be metal to be premium.

Which colour do you have? Because I have a black Lumia 920, and nobody comments on it's design at all. The only questions I get are "what sort of phone is that"? I wanted a yellow one (way back in 2012) but because it's a business phone my boss wouldn't allow it. 

Eh... come on. I for one love these Lumia designs and frankly, these seem like the type of devices you "retire" instead of "replace" because they will probably be unbreakable. But in terms of looks? The S6 Edge and the iPhone look hella nice.    Though my dream would be the Xperia 5 running Windows 10 Mobile. Sony, please?

"Nicer"? I owned  a Lumia 925 and now a Lumia 930 (my most prized possession). Lets face it, these look horrendous.I certainly hope this leak is false else id rather stick with the 930 until MSFT goes back to school and learn designing from the Fins.
 

im begining to think that way, ive actually started to look for a second 930 in case they dont change the design for 2 years.  Dont microsoft realise that people including iphone and andropid lovers like the 930 design, it was 8.1(which i loved) they had the issue with.

Well said! Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

i think looks is a very individual thing, personally i think theress too much black bezzil on both the top front of the phone and the bottome, thats when comparing it to my lumia 930.  I love the 930 i dont love th 950, i actually think the oppo r7 and galaxy this year have better looking phones and well motorolas cureved phone is very sexy.  Yeh it defo beats the iphone but personally i dont like the look of the iphone line.  But its always hard to judge till you try one.  that when youll relly know.

Less bezzle would be nice. Less as possible with more screen space. Nothing but screen on the front would be awesome to me on any Windows phone.

@mark delusional much?  that giant washer and all plastic build looks better than iPhone and Samsung etc.  get real. it's ok to be a fanboy, but not a blind fanboy.

Looking at the phone closely it looks like the screen is bent backwards

It's a test model, I wouldn't be surprised if it was. Might just be the weird light reflection.

It is horrendous. And that needs repeating! On a different note, do we know the actual dimensions of the handsets?

Yeah, what I really want to know are the dimensions. Weight, thickness, etc. etc.

Weight is not a dimension.

Yo momma so fat she don't fit in the third dimension!

Well what I really want to know is if it will be sold by MS unlocked and universal with all the radios turned on... will work on any carrier anywhere in the world. This is my biggest wish! Second wish would be a payment system. Other than that the specs are incredible and the phones look awesome... I Can't wait!!!

I think it looks good. Very subtle design, not loud from any angle. If the actual product is able to maintain uniformity in the size of bezels on opposite sides of the screen, I think it would be a win. We should wait for the real life pictures of the white colour, or with coloured backs (replaceable of course, God I do hope). From the pictures and renders, it may look not unlike a note 4, the front and the bezels at least... Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

I ran a search for each time the word "bezel" was mentioned in the comments, and amazingly, you're the only one complaining.  In the past you'd never hear the end of it.  Is it true?

Yes we already know the dimensions. Cheech it the CAD images.

Needs repeating?!?!? seriously? Get over yourself you're not convincing anyone.

It's so ugly, though.

heres the thing about most phones. What happens with a phone that looks beautiful?  You end up putting a case on it anyways. So all that ugliness is going to be hidden  

Yes. Even my beautiful yellow 1520 is completely hidden beneath a cover. Haters, just buy a gorgeous cover. Problem solved.

Nice cases on Lumia devices haven't exactly been plentiful in the past. We have to see one launch, first.

What is the point of buying a nice phone and putting it in a case???? No one will buy a Ferrari and use it buy placing it in a box and drive the box around in the tow of a truck??? Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

not a good analogy .... people dont phone watch .... cars are a big deal ... phones are small and for making calls

Except the camera doesn't get covered with a case. The ring will likely still be visible with a case on it.

Get a spray can from Home Depot

...WUT

Wrong, my 1520 has never had a case on it, why, because the phone looks good. Why would I cover up a uniquely designed phone with a cover.

I don't put cases on my phones...

If that's the reasoning. Then why bother making cover of the phone anyways. So we have to resort to buy covers because the device doesn't look good for them? It's like same thing Steve Jobs convincing people to buy bumper case because of the Antennae issue.  

I didn't buy one. Steve gave me one. Actually wasn't bad looking and provided a little more protection to the front and back with the slightly raised edge. (the glass didn't lay directly on a surface). Looks are so subjective. I think these look fine. I have always like the feel of my Lumias better than metal/glass phones. They are comfortable to hold, warm and not slippery. There is only so much you can do with a rectangular slab. Some like it square, some rounded, some curved back, some just flat. The good news is these have (almost) all the features we have been waiting for. Hopefully they are solid enough to last the two years till MS releases the next set. ;)

Exactly!  Few people have realized that phone design has converged to simply be a slab of glass.  Look at any mobile tech fair.   They all look the same.  If there was still a market for different form factors, microsoft would have had a little more room to play around.   Not with mobile tech these days, the only thing you could do to differentiate yourself from the competition would be in the internals, features etc.  These phones look great.  I just wish they had a keyboard like the Dell Venue Pro or the BB Priv.     ​  

For the physical keyboard part, I totally agree with you.

Does it REALLY matter? You know you're going to put a protective cover on the phone anyway, just like all iPhone users do, so really no one is going to see the actual phone and no one will really care what it looks like. What's more important is that is more durable than metal phones, and the specs are better and I can't wait to see the AWESOME pictures and video these phones are going to take! If Microsoft did make this a metal phone like iPhone or made of cheap, lightweight plastic that looks like metal like the Samsungs, then all you haters would be complaining about how easy it is to scuff, scratch, dent or break! Frankly, I'll take the very strong, durable and lightweight polycarbonate shell (with removable back for access to the battery - iPhone's don't have this), and just cover it up with a nice looking protective cover that looks like metal or might even be metal. If Verizon does't offer these phone, I'm switching to whatever network that will!

I'm not. Eff cases. YOLO

Yeah, personally i hate having to wear a case on my phone.. That's why i'm glad these phones aren't all metal and glass.. 'Cause god damn.., glass back = very easily cracked, metal back = very easily scratched and dented (plus, i don't like the "feeling" of metal backs. Also: Glass AND metal backs = slippery.   Nah, i'm done with metal and glass phones (metal rims, yeah, CAN be ok, but not on all phones. Worked out fine on the Lumia 930). Long story short, i always prefer to not wear a case on my phone. And you gotta love all the people buying a phone they think is beautiful, only to cover it up in a "fabulous" case, that also make the phone bigger.   Personally i really like the look of the new Lumias! And i'm almost certain they'll feel great in the hand.

In my case its not the material is the issue. Plastics (Polycarbonate) are fine, my first Lumia isn't metal but I'm convined to get it because one of the factor I like so much is its looks, its just unique and looks stunning yet minimal. The design comes together in a nice way, something doesn't look like its a rushed product just for the sake releasing it. 950 and 950 XL feels doesn't like that anymore, not that I'm tired of plastic or something but they don't look that anything great. It looks like just like everyone phone out there without character. And no, not because phones all look similar which I find a lazy argument. There is still alot of room to make things looks unique or good. Though one thing I can at least assure though that these devices will feel similar as before with matte finished.

The nice thing about replaceable backs is you don't need a cover.  Just replace the back if it gets damaged. I think the phones look fine.  The only complaint I have at this point is the completely whack new button layout on the 950.  Completely FUBAR.  I actually want the smaller model, but this annoyance may push me to the bigger one.

The 950 has the same button layout as all previous Lumias.  It's the 950 XL that has the power button between the two volume buttons.  I've been planning to get the XL all along and I don't really have any issue with the buttons either way but it seems very odd to me that they would not use the same layout on both phones.

I'm not going to put a case on it as I don't like cases. And despite the ugliness of the camera ring I'll probably still buy the phone since it seems awesome otherwise. I just don't see why they didn't use the same design from the XL on the 950. It looks beautiful.

no it aint  

Looks great to me.

its the small form factor as every other smart phone ...., dont fool yourself

Lmfao I concur!

Anybody else secretly hoping their is an awesome phone that has not yet leaked (Lumia 1050 or whatever) for the photo enthusiast or just any other flagship phone that will blow everyone's mind that Microsoft has been able to keep from leaking?  Because I would hate to buy these phones and have the same thing happen to me, that happened the last time, I bought the 920 (super awesome and still got it) and then the 1020 came out.

I am desperately waiting for the next camera flagship phone. It should be better than panaonic cm1 in terms of hardware and software both...and should be in XL variant also

I made the misake of getting a Lumia 1020 thinking it was a flagship device, at least as far as the camera was concerned. The quality control or the image processing on that phone was horrendous. From yellow tinged photos, to out-of-focus photos, to significant shutter lag, I had problems from day one. Though my wife's iPhone had a lower resolution camera, at least it started fast and took pictures as soon as you hit the button.

You must have had a defective one, mine was brilliant for photos, absolutely brilliant.  I could take photos at dance events with people moving and only dim ambient mood lighting, and they were perfect.  Never had any yellow tinge.  Sadly I managed to lose it in a river a few weeks ago :-(   So really hoping the 950 with an F1.9 lens and the triple flash can be almost as good.

Then I must have been unlucky cause I did get one replacement and it was no better. The yellow tinge, I could live with and remove in Lightroom, but the shutter lag was unacceptable. No matter whether I used the Lumia Camera or the native Camera app, it was just too slow from startup to focus to snap. It is things like this that turn people off a device and the corresponding ecosystem. I had switched from an iPhone to the Lumia 1020. Unfortunately, I will be switching back next week.

There will never be another 1020, it's over.

I wish it wasnt true but I have to agree..

I love my 1020. Now I'm trying to decide between the 950, and the Asus zenfone zoom. I actually really like my zenfone 2, the zoom could be the complete package... Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

I had a Zenfone 5 once. Didnt hold a candle to my lumia 925. The UI is cool for an android but then again, it remains one. The camera of asus will always remain below par a  Nokia rival camera. Right now, i love my Lumia 930 :)

I don't think we are going to get one personally.

Last I saw Microsoft didn't deny working on one but said it was a lower priority because it's more of a niche device.

I think therell be one just not now or yhis year, probally when the 820 chips come

Well considering wm10 is capable of 4k it'd be a let down to buy into a new device

I don't think we'll hear anything about another flagship phone before the Lumia 960 in about a year, unless Microsoft decide to release a Surface phone based on an Intel chip.  That is something I'd seriously consider, but it won't happen for a while at least. I'd rest easy with buying one of these two phones.  My only concern is that I might buy one immediately and then they have a special offer that includes free accessories later.

Haha... it actually does look like a broken record!

No kidding. I get the feeling they just complain to complain. How anyone can care about that ring is beyond me.

...and if you fanboys didn't complain, you wouldn't have gotten the Notification Center.

The complaints can be legimate (depends on the complaints). Regardless of which sides, since that there are number of complaints, that could mean there is an issue somewhere why people are not liking it. Thing is the looks of these flagships for some reason are controversial and instead of doing good for its users, especially its fans. Now it creates division, a strong division. This isn't good for a platform that still have low-marketshare. All I can hope, next time they really have to evaluate the reaction of the people, solve and create a better one. Next flagship should look that will please and unite its fans (not making choice of which sides) and convince non-Lumia users. There will be still people will not be satisfied, that's natural, at least its less thing to fix. The minority issues are easier to fix than a macro one.

Lame, uninspiring, business, fanboy oriented design.

What fanboys have you been talking to? We want premium, not this.

Unfortunately the community is in complete divide. Thing is the device is here already, but I hope Microsoft should try next time (I hope they still) to make better one. For now, these devices pleases who liked it and others (including me) are left with 3 choices. Get these devices solely for its features and specs, skipped this devices, or switch to other brand (or platform if some are fine without having W10M). Still that leaves a sour mouth to other people who are same Lumia users (or Microsoft users) too.

People have the right to complain it's what makes things better so you stfu already. Microsoft no doubts reads these forums and comments so they know what die hard fans of windows phone want. I love Nokia so much sad to see the logo of it go but will most likely upgrade my contract if my network sells the XL version. I have always said I would not go over 5.0 inch bit seeing my friends Samsung galaxy s6 edge plus I'm loving the large design and hope they stock it, otherwise I will just switch to a network that does stock it

Yeah, those "ugly circles"! LOL... Holy hell some people will find anything to complain about.

And some people will use tired catchphrases to defend anything they like without thought.

Those aren't "circles", they're Halos!" ;-)

Or the Cortana logo

Someone on the W10M team really loves those circles.

Not all, but most people in Asian countries like India, middle east and China love those chromes everywhere ...lol. So much that many western cars released there have an extra dash of chrome here and there to make it more appealing .. that may be in play here with Lumia as well, you never know:)

Stereotype much???

iam from india that doesnt mean i love chrome

I guess you don't want to enter Valhalla, shiny and chrome, then.

I see what you did there.

WITNESSSSS!!!!

Yeah, you love gold.       ;) :P

Yeah we do.. But its not stupidity.. Don't buy one if will be released there in your country. By the way which country you are from.

Next thing he will complain about is that the phone is too rectangle.

It's not. It's too rounded, actually. The best Lumia designs had hard edges. Very modern. Rounded edges is for octogenerians and preschoolers.

I'm neither and much prefer the rounded edges. Sharp edges make the phones more uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time, such as when I lose an hour playing one of many fine WP games.

i would prefer L925

If you're holding a phone by its corners, you're doing it wrong.

Nope, we want Star shaped!

The ring is Cortana in the flesh, so to speak...

Lolz! WM10 is all about the circles.

Why does anyone give a Crap what a phone looks like. I have a case and couldn't even describe what my ICON looks like. U look at the screen, the webpage, the keyboard. You could put rectangles triangles and squares and I wouldn't care. When I take a picture I never see it. IM GETTIN ONE OF THESE BAD BOYS AS SOON AS THEY HIT THE STREETS.

thats exactly I think...it doen't matter how the phone looks because I am going put it in a case as soon as I get the phone...

I don't want a phone that needs to be covered up by a case because the design is lacking.

you are kidding yourself ... all phones have the SAME basic desgin today

I use Skinomi protectors and they don't hide ugly.

@sanchezursua... I never use cases on my phones. However, I agree with you on the obsession with design. It's sort of ridiculous (My opinion). I guess to each his own.

I agree, there's only so much you can do with the form factor. I don't get the whole "it's ugly" complaints. I love the WINDOWS LOGO on it, it looks like a great phone, I'd like to get a Blue or Green one, hopefully they'll release different colors down the road.

Red, we only need red.

Oh yeah! Where is the color options!? I want Red (if it looks good).

Hahaha that post was awesome!

Well, I give a crap, because I don't use a case for that very same reason. Take the L920 for example, or the L800, beautful designs and well built (if bulky). Now, I do agree that for people who wear cases, why do they give a crap about design. I know many people who rave about design, yet, they hide it under the case. That doesn't make sense. Again, design matters because not everyone hides their phone under case.  

Opinions about design are also subjective.  Just because one deems something "ugly" doesn't make it a universal truth.  

I thought polycarbonate is all about toughness and no case. Either way, I think you're probably in the minority.

You're such a square! lol =p

Some folks got so carried away with their earlier negative impression toward the old renders, they just can't face the reality.  L950 and L950XL are both decent, thin and sleek phones.  They are the best Lumia flagships ever.

Lol what??

hahaha did i heard he saying best lumia flagship ever

If the 920, 930, and 1520 are the predecessors then his argument is valid based on specifications.  Anything subjective is, well, subjective.  People complained about the shape and material for the 920.  People complained about the screen type (lack of Glance), metal band around the 930, and people complained about the (slick) feel and pointing corners and material of the 1520.  Basically, people love to complain. There is no single design that will appease everyone.  Question, are you using an iPhone or an Android device?  Whatever your device, clearly even they are not perfect or we'd all be using them.  Tech is supposed to be cool and fun and when a group of Strong Sads waddle into the picture and just piss in everyones' Wheaties it makes me sad.  People must realize the folly in expecting a phone that pleases everyone. Surely?

Well based on that complaints, 920 have shape issue and material, 1520 have similar shape issue (sharp corners) and material. But these devices aren't bland or anything ugly, the complaints are rather small that can be easily addressed. Lumia 930 is legimate issue regarding the Glance, since its a flagship and it doesn't make sense not to have one while mid-range and entry-level even got one. But the looks are praised alot with only suggestion is to have MicroSD and removable battery, which doesn't affect the looks. This is why alot of people (and reviews) love the 830, only if its really a flagship which many wished to (hoping to have same spec as 930 but with Glance). Now the issue collectively is about the general looks of the device, which is a bigger issue than just sharp corners. Sure it please other people too, but the problem is that alot of people on the other side (not liking or not attracted to the design) aren't that a minority, and not just here in Windows Central. So in that case, somethign in the looks of the device has a problem of why there are so many complaints. This isn't a sharp corner issue at all. Well there's nothing a perfect thing, but near or going to perfection is possible. Basically least compromise as possible. At least though its got a Glance again, MicroSD and Removable back which is great. Continuum btw is simply awesome!

Yes.  You heard it right, L950 and L950XL are the best Lumia flagships ever! L950 and L950XL are in fact making history for Lumia: - The most powerful Lumia ever
- The thinnest Lumia ever
- The best display ever
- The best PureView camera ever (short of a 41MP sensor)
- World first fully featured W10M phone ever
- World first Continuum PC phone ever
- 1st Iris scanner and USB Type-C ever for Lumia
- The largest available phone storage and RAM ever
- The largest replaceable battery ever (XL)
- 1st Surface Pen support ever (XL)
- Integrated wireless charging and Glance for both phones You might argue that iPhone 6S is thinner, Sony Z5 uses 4K screen, some phones use SD820 and so forth.  But as far as Lumia is concerned, L950 and L950XL are indeed the best Lumia flagships EVER.   

wtf you talking about.

actually thats true

Yeah, I was too, cause of the harsh angles and corners, this appears smooth, soft and curvy all of a sudden, GREAT

I'm just daydreaming with this, but what if this ring actually offers an additional function?
Imagine MS making magnetic hardware-lenses available for Lumias. This wouldn't only be another USP besides Windows Hello but also fit quite well into the whole focus on high-quality photography for their mobile devices. The smaller-spaced ring on the bigger device could be compensated by the camera's bigger overall diameter. But as I said, it's just an - up until now - not very likely possibility. Really looking forward to that event though ;)

Even if it is not true till this second, i wish MS guys are reading your comment. :D
Because IT'S AN AWESOME IDEA!!!

It looks almost as if you are able to twist that camera ring on the 950, like some kind of zoom. The idea of MS making magnetic hardware lenses, does sound pretty cool.

Nifty idea.

Any info on the camera itself - f speed, sensor size, how it's different than the 20MP shooters on 1520/Icon ?

The pixels are larger. f/1.9 versus f/2.2 I believe.

That's the aperture, not the sensor or its pixels.

It's a brand new sensor that's ever so slightly larger (1/2.3 versus 1/2.5 on the Icon/1520). It also has a new Optical Image Stabilization module & greater aperture. f/1.9 instead of f/2.4. Still Zeiss glass with stereo sound recording too.

Perhaps the ring provides some type of functionality.

Put it on and you turn invisible

+1 Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

Try rotating it and it will show the real hologram of Cortana!

Hologram generator...

I could actually believe the highly reflecting circle to act as a fill flash application as it would reflect part of the incoming light back to the subject for lower contrast images, especially close up. Reduced red eye.

Huh? Light from the camera on the same plane as the lens is what *cause* red-eye!

Hey, look! A mini-mirror for back camera selfies. High res selfies FTW.

IMHO, 950 camera ring will be eye-candy than XL's in real life.

I agree. However, if it really offends you, it is easily fixed with a Sharpie or a bit of black nail polish.
It's an odd choice. As a photographer I can say that anything that makes a camera look less like the wide stare of a predator will tend to relax your subjects, while ostentatious lenses do the opposite.
I've taken a sharpie to several cameras and lenses myself to counteract this.

that's what people said about the 1020's hump, yet its distinct looking is still something to admire

It's not a circle - its a HALO! ;-)

Just get a black permanent market. Problem solved.

Sorry to have doubled your words, friday night and all...

No problem, great problem solving minds think alike! :P

Aside from the contrast is provides against a solid backdrop, what exactly makes it ugly?  It's mere existence? Material? Placement, size, color?

It does look kind of dated to me.  Like bling for the sake of bling.  Sort of like how about 10 to 15 years ago electronics all started to be made with silver plastic faces/cases.  Or how there was a time when cars all had chrome door handles, trim, and bumpers.  These days if you have a TV component or stereo that is silver plastic it looks kind of lame.  The auto industry hardly uses chrome on newer cars.  It may come back in style, but right now it looks very late 90's or early 2000's I think.

Well for me trying to be specific. First material isn't an issue at all. Plastic is fine and Lumia before proved that. Now I want to list (try) the issues: - Speaker design. It looks kind of toy to me, idk but it kinds of ruin the design. If its like 640 XL, it may look better and cleaner. - Microsoft logo isn't centered on landscape and that's bothers me for some reason. It should be centered horizontally to make it proportional. Btw I've read that symmetrical proportional looking things are generally considered attractive, that doesn't mean asymmetrical isn't. its just that its more natural to us for some reason. http://i.imgur.com/autlqgi.jpg http://i.imgur.com/9Dvcpda.jpg - The aesthetic element choices on having a black plastic trim holding the glass, which in overall looks of the device it started to look closely like some generic referenced designs of phones out there. Mostly from Android mid-range and entry-levels. Though at least for me, I've seen and held these devices and the possiblity of subconcious associations makes it even worse. Not all with similar design theme is bad, but another point is that it looses the identity which I like in the Lumia in the first place, uniqueness. http://imgur.com/XgAyUqC - Lack of color option is the problem also. Though not necessarily makes the device ugly or beautiful, but it detracts the value of Lumia which is synonymous to color options and a trendsetter of having colors. Making phones only black and white in a package makes like just like any other phones. Backplate options can be made but for some reason, people liked having all-in-one package than to by seperately. Also colors helps the marketing alot, which Lumia really needs.

Whats funny to me is, if you took all the comments in this section, deleted all the emotional cruft & bitching and then turned the remainders into a focus group, you'd end up with 2 phones that look...exactly like the above pictures.  

The circle, weather you like it or not, was the defining visual cue of all of Windows Phone due to the Lumia 1020's protruding black camera bump, and has been used for the 830 and now the 950. It is the only vestage of distinctive design that still has good perception amongst consumers, and it has been adopted here as well as the new circular login screens on Windows... It is actualy clever marketing, and unusually joint marketing effort by different Microsoft teams. Nowhere near the unified voice of Apple, but a step in the right direction... 

Not sure why you're getting so much flack for speaking truth - these are not the beautiful Lumias we're used to...

of course theyre not these are from microsoft thats what the logo on the back is not nokia from this point thell all look different but that doesnt make them ugly

How dumb do you have to be to argue that your aesthetic preference it's more valid than someone else's.?

It is not that bad, these picks show that the 950 ring is actually well crafted...

"Black permanent marker" to the rescue

I do beleive that "reflective" ring is used to reduce redeye in the subject.

Yeah bro.....i didn't like the camera module.....no hardware navigation keys....Thanks god....camera key is there....

I like a lot about it - especially the ring actually. What I hate is the on-screen face buttons 

Might allow for magnetic lens attachments

I'm not too fond with the looks of the phone, but I don't really think its really the ring around the camera. For me it's really the overall how every aesthetic element comes together has an issue. They look alright but nothing gives a wow-factor with the devices. I'm almost fine from the CAD renders (which is accurate btw) but looking at these high-res real photos started to look rather "eh" again. I'm fan of minimalism but this one doesn't give the vibe of good minimalism, especially that they even just a black which doesn't even justify the elegance. For me black is rather elegant color but this just make it rather "just another phone" looks. Previous Lumia they look unique, special, and inspiring, they don't look just another rectangular slab phone without soul. It has style and cohesiveness into it, despite its simplicity. Also chrome around camera isn't new to Lumia, such as 800, 900, 920, and 820 have one and they look great. This one looks fine, but doesn't blend too well and instead of enhancing the looks, it makes it bit weird in some way. I think because of the tiny details aren't too refined. I think some small things need to tweak which may not be easily noticable but in complete picture, it will make comes together in a better way. Also what I'm bothered is that the general design of these flagship started to look more like some generic ODM devices that shares pretty similar design theme. I can see the inspiration 640 at the back while 950 XL have 830 camera design (which I like), but in overall it looks quite different 640 nor any Lumia that follows Fabula design langauge (except some like 610, 710). Still they look alright I think, at least not to the point of really ugliness (at least from what I imagine), since the looks like referenced from other phones I saw with same design theme, they both alright. But that also comes to the point for me it looks uninspiring, means it lacks uniqueness, soul and character. http://i.imgur.com/XgAyUqC.jpg
 

I was thinking if the Speaker design is a sin here. I tried to modify the photos with speaker desgin used in 640 XL and they look better. Also I did aligning the Microsoft logo at the center horizontally. http://i.imgur.com/autlqgi.jpg http://i.imgur.com/9Dvcpda.jpg

It might sound very simplistic, but just by putting the new Lumias in landscape mode along the androids would make them appear sufficiently different.

i gree   the design is bad , back side of the phone is not flat , also  the location of the buttons the power button is in wrong place  you may turn off the phone whille calling

i agree

They look the same lol

i totally agree with you i hate pretruding cameras, i think the 930 did it well but not many people mind it so we are definatly on our own here.

I, actually, like the circle.

It looks so beautiful except the bold chrome ring on 950... I might consider 950 xl for my next windows phone. It looks great on the camera design.

Drop dead

Stop whining about people critcizing something they don't like about the design. It's pathetic.

I think some are just finding it funny that a small chrome ring is causing such heartaches.

True that, considering the new LG V10 has a very similar camera ring and no one in that camp is complaining... Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

Well, that's because we have a whiny bunch.

Exactly. Without the ring it would be too "boring" and with it they want to wail hysterically about how much it's mere presence offends their precious sensibilities.

How about stop whining (on repeat) about the same design feature.  The critics can't take critique??

Apple and Samsung will copy that ring you'll see.

@matfantastic:
I still don't see anything to write home or get excited about.
I was hoping that if they go for a peel-off back cover they would make the part of the cover that wraps from the back around the sides of the device a little thicker.
But it's as thin as on Lumia 535 and 640/640 XL. So it will get creaky and parts will chip away from it due to simple usage pretty quickly.

You can't get excited about any of the specs???  This is the highest powered and most feature-rich Lumia made. (except for the camera)  My Lumia 810 had a polycarbonate back and is just as solid (not creaky) as the Lumia 930 that I'm currently using.

It's certainly the most powerful Windows Phone ever, except for the camera, which on sources is a step backwards. However, perhaps the lenses, sensor noise and processing algorithms are so improved that there overall package is superior. Just having a ' normal' time to first shot would be such an improvement over the L1020 in daily user that it will be welcome.
Going to be annoying to lose that wonderful lossless zoom, but ocean it may be superior. MS has to know that they can't deliver flagships with less than class leading cameras and maintain what support they have.

I actually think this camera has a potential to be on par with 1020 if its sensor size is bigger then 1/2.5"

I'm not sure if it will be on-par with the 1020, but I reckon it will be better than all previous non-1020 Lumia's. It has a nice camera bump, so there's going to be some goodness underneath

There is little to get excited about; these are certainly phones that "pack it all", but all this (minus the incremental component upgrades) could have been in their phones 3 years ago, and have been on many Android-devices. Continuum is cool, but there hasn't been many valid use cases shown for it. Iris scanner is nice, but usually isn't something to get excited about. TL;DR: great phones, but unmemorable

We want (need) Microsoft Pay a-la-Apple Pay... I think a fingerprint reader is better than Iris scanner for those times the phone is sitting at arms length. I don't always look straight down at my screen. I do have it on my desk at arms length most of the time.

That 950 XL is looking beautiful.
I can't wait to get one

It looks horrendous.

Chances of a Verizon compatible version..........any guesses???

2%.  Its why I left VZW.

I really don't know why anyone is still on Verizon. Aren't they still using CDMA? That shit was phased out decades ago. We've had GSM in Australia since 1993 and means I can use my mobiles in almost all countries in the world. CDMA doesn't even exist in Australia anymore since 2008 or so. Verizon should be ashamed to still be running such an outdated network

Coverage, dude. I'm not on Verizon, but most of the reasons I hear surround coverage. There are some places where Verizon still is the only carrier with acceptable coverage in the US. The good news is most decent Verizon phones include GSM capabilities so their customers can throw a foreign SIM in there when traveling. Typically the slot is unlocked. Possibly, MS made these cross carrier, multi-frequency, and you can just buy one and get Verizon to provision it. There are numerous phones that have that option, Nexus, iPhone, etc. You just have to buy them outright.

Don't you guys miss the old days when NO info came out about a product until it was released on stage? Now, no matter the tech company, we have as much info as the person on stage making the product/device "reveal" announcement.

I agree! I hate leaks so much. Leaks totally ruin the "magic" and excitement of the official unveiling presentation. Microsoft should just cancel their event and say, "you guys already know everything, why should we bother having a special event?"

Lol...so true..no point having a product "reveal" when all the attendees can recite the products, their specs, availability & (tentative) prices by heart.

no because every thing were talking aboiut now is still just speculation well know for sure the 6th

Yea, but when another company releases comparable devices a week before your big announcement, you need to remind people about what you have....so.....'leaks'.

This is the HIGH END?
Well sh** .. I saw the new LG V10 god damn that phone is SUPER B. Its time for me to switch back to Andro :(

I saw that amazing looking LG V10. I've written to MSFT and begged them to partner with LG to offer a windows 10 mobile variant of that phone.. Geez, I'll get my whole family to stand in line for that combo.

Hmm dimpled silicone back versus poly. My durability vote goes for poly. I've had other things with that kind of dimpled silicon and it picks up crud like you wouldn't believe and the nubs rub off quick. It makes for a great grip but just doesn't last. Beyond that, it's a flat back with a camera bump too.

And do not forget the camera ring. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

Are there any real techie people in this blog?! Having some real issues with my 1520 desperately need help

bye

I said the same thing lol...my 1520 is holding up well and this doesnt really wow me. I'll wait until the event tho to make a decision.

Wat about flip cover,pen? Any leaks?confirmation?

no flip cover both have built in q wireless charging now.  According to the newer leaks.

Imagine if those lights were actually a curved screen. One can only dream

If only Sony makes Windows Phone, this garbage wouldn't be a thing...

Nobody is complaining about the bezel now for some reason.

How to Tech and Software Tutorials ..... http://www.baatkar.com

Damn those look hot.....mmmhmmm....
 

Yess they are!! But why OLED display, why....????!!!!

An OLED display would be a must have for me if I was switching from my Nexus 6 to a Windows Phone... Posted from the Nexus 6, Nexus 5, or the Surface Pro 3

I don't know, i love my 1520 display which is LCD, and i don't like the 925 display which is OLED. I like the natural look of the lcd and now i have to try this phone first to know if i like the display. If not, i will stay with my 1520.

True black looks very good. The only negative is burn-in. My 925 is having slight burn-in at the bottom round buttons (courtesy extensive use of Whatsapp)

My 930 also have a slight burn-in of Whats App buttuons. AMOLED :/

Burn-ins are worse when you have the brigthness set too high. Do you have it set too high often or are you really just a WhatsApp addict?

@Dashrendar Brightness is Auto. So yeah, Whatsapp addict it is.

I have burn-in on my 928 due to using Waze navigation every time I get into the car.

Displaying white web pages with OLED or AMOLED screens kills batteries quick.

Oled in many ways is better then LCD. They both use led lights but oled is only led lights while LCD is a LCD panel with led lights behind it. Oled has better contrast because the led lights can turn off. This also makes it better for battery. Some if the best screens on smartphone are OLED. It depends on the model of Oled screen and how well they put it in the phone. Samsung screens in their phones, known to be one of the best, is oled technology.

@christian Actually battery usage is variable. If you use dark theme, battery will last longer. But if you switch to light theme, panel uses more power compared to an LCD. So that's also a tradeoff. With AMOLED you have to stick to dark theme.

I have my trusty 1020 with AMOLED, and I also carry around an 830 to use for testing WP10.  I have to say, I and everyone else I show a side-by-side comparison to much prefer the screen on the 1020.  The blacks are depper, the contrast is loads better, and the colors are richer.  Personally, I'm excited we're getting super hi-res OLEDs.

It's all about that black, that black, that black. I'm all about that black...

The LCD on the 830 is awful though. Blacks look like dark gray.

Granted.  But my Lumia 1020 also looks better than the various Lumia 640's, 635's and 520"s we have aroudn teh officve, too (I'm the company IT guy with almost 50 different Lumias deployed).  The only screens that compare to my 1020 are the ones on the dozens of 920's we still have in use.

I'll take my Icon's OLED over your 1520's LCD, outside were I use my phone most, any day! :)

Correct me if Im wrong, but to have the Glance feature it needs to be Amoled.

Because they are cheaper and people don't notice the big quality drop from a proper ips because they already use crappy oled panels

Oled us a newer technology and is NOT cheaper. LCD has been around for 15-20 years i think and cost has gone down a ton

OLED is hot, not gonna lie... =p

Yeah i guess we cannot please everybody, hahaha...!!

OLEDs are so hot right now...

OLED is much better for battery life I find. I've been on OLED with my N8 and 1020, both have had great battery life for smartphones.

Yes, may be you can get a longer battery life with oled but you will not get the quality of the ips lcd display. And you can still get the long battery life with lcd, my 1520 always lasts more than 24 hours. And i think that 950XL 3000+ mah battery capacity will do.

define "quality"

OLED = GLANCE

I don't think it's related. 925 and 1520 have different types of screens and they both support Glance.

Glance works just fine with IPS panels as well.

Glance on an LCD panel sucks because it has to light up the entire display. With OLED or AMOLED it lights only the pixels needed.

The "light up" is minimal at best. I have no issues with it on my 920 with LCD and it doesn't look more exciting on my mother's 928 with OLED...even at night.

DISPLAY MEMORY = Glance OLED + GLANCE = Less battery usage, better looking clock.  

These devices are getting prettier with every leak! I can't wait to scroll up and take a long good look at them again.

I put them as my desktop wall paper so that I can give them a really long look all the time! Love these phones!

I think the front facing camera part is from 950XL not the 950, the camera position of 950XL is on far right and in 950 is in near center. So, is there gonna be front facing led flash too? edit, this is 950 -> http://wmpoweruser.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/9502.jpg

You are correct, I was thinking the same thing. Can't wait for next week.

Me too! Hope there are more use cases than just Windows Login.

That might be an infrared illuminator for iris scanning.

Salivating... looks so much better than the previous reports.

When do we expect these in Nigeria?

India?

Only Prince Abuja knows... Just wait for an email.

Thanks for completely taking the enthusiasm out of his comment and turning it into a clichéd joke that focuses on his nationality rather than individuality. Where would the WC community ever be without you... Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

When you celebrate your 56th independence

I was thinking the same thing. Earlier renders looked "Meh," this looks a LOT better!

Wow :/ #drool

I'm much less worried about the hardware than I am about the software at this point... 

With that said, it kinda sucks that this looks like my backup phone the 640... except with a silver ring around the camera lense

In all seriousness though, What would you rather they do different. It's a rectangle device. There's not too much you can do to improve it.

Just look at Galaxy S6 or HTC one M9, they're looking like premium phones. Metal and Glass versus plastik. For Lumia 640 I'm totally fine with it, but this costs a fraction of a flagship.

Yes, all sexy phones and then people put a ugly silicon cover on them.. does it matter if it is beautiful or not, that in the end 90% of the people will put a stupid cover on them??

At least that would be the choice of the user. I dont use a cover because its a item which will be used and will have some degrading anyway and at some point I will replace it with a new one. I rather have that than using a bulky and ugly case.

Yes I believe matters to the general public, especially if MS charges flagship prices. If I wasn't a fan of Windows Phone then why would I pay flagship prices for plastic when I can get metal for a flagship phone? That's also not taking into account the appeal of iOS and Andriod currently having the better ecosystems for mobile apps. I suppose the special hardware features, of e.g. iris scanner, may make up the value for some people.

Not 90%, it is 99% ,
 

I'd actually be curious to see what the true number is. I know I plan on putting a case on it because I'm not paying the price of a new flagship phone, just to risk breaking it (R.I.P. my 1520) I have seen a ton of people without cases though, it'd be an interesting study to read.

@gajomau - People like me put a cover on it to protect it, I have one on my L930.  I'd be less inclined to do so with the L950 since I can always buy a new cover.

What about the people who don't use covers and stupid things on their phone? Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

I've got the gold special edition 930....i don't want to use a case..... But it's too beautiful!

i still ahvent put a cover on my lumia 930 or a screen protecter and hell i have droped it about 5-6 times, the screen is flaWLESS AND I HAVE A TINY DENT ON THE METAL CORNETR, NOTHING MAJOR, IM AMAZED HOW WELL THE LUMIA 930 WAS MADE, ITS VERY DURABLE WITHOUT A COVER AND THK GOD FOR THAT :))

Yeah, it may not have the 'premium' material usage of the iPhone 6(S), One M9 or the S6, but that's almost certainly down to the inclusion of wireless charging and removable back required for putting in an SD card and replacing the battery - all fan-requested features that give this phone a bit of an edge compared to some of it's competitors. Admittedly, that doesn't explain the sides, I'll concede that one. The 830 carried it off okay. But I'm not too bothered about the plastic - if anything, it will be much more scratch resistant and durable (and also replaceable).    

S6 has wireless charging, M9 has microSD card.  It is possible to achieve this and still use premium materials. Of course removable battery is another story. But maybe they should do some innovation, some new things which would really give them an edge like the iris scanner. I got the 830 and I dont think that it is more scratch resistant. I got plenty of scratches on the back. But they are not that visible. And a big plus is, as you mentioned, that it is replaceable. My Lumia 920 looks terrible though, there the scratches are cleary visible and a layer of plastik is actually broken off next to the camera.      

And look how those phones don't include the ability to remove your battery. Look at how the metal thin phones bend (more than the iPhone even did). Look at how bad the metal scratches. You keep your "premium" metal. I'll keep my phone looking good and have the ability to replace my battery.

Oh I didn't realize I hadn't the ability to replace my battery when I did it to my 920 LOL

Never go full retard. You can replace literally ANYTHING on ANY phone, but as an industry standard, for a battery to be considered replaceable, it should be done without any tools, or disassembling the entire phone.   EDIT: and don't act like you didn't know that.

my 930 with the metal froma has not bent or scratched its very durable actually close to one of the most durable phones i have used.  What i like is the feel of the wieght and the feel of the metal with its back that feels like you paid a premium price for, it reminds me of the day i first picked up a iphone 4s, before apple messed up their design for the 6 lol.  Ipersonally dont mind all plastic, but a pretruding camera is something i dont like, especially as i sometimes like to lay my phone down and type, even my mothers 830 tilts and its a anoyance.  But premuim feel is what its about really and you wont know that till its in your hands.

You do realize the s6 body is "plastic" too right?

Wrong.   http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-announces-galaxy-s6-and-s6-edge-me...

The ring around the s6 is metal. The back is "plastic".

the galaxy s6 is the first time i would consider a galaxy phone, and why because its metal.

Plastic and polycarbonate strike me as different. Plastic sounds cheap, but my Lumias are very good looking and durable besides. Scratches on metal are very noticable and glass can break. I've had to replace the back glass on earlier iphones. Both are more slippery than poly. My iPhone has a case because it is like a bar of soap without it. This is a daily use tool, not a fashion statement (to me). I appreciate decent design, but being able to use it without worrying so much about it is important.  P.S. My daily driver is a L1020, while I own a MotoX, Nexus 6, iPhone 6S, and assorted other Windows Phones. It is the 1020 because of Windows Phone. The device is just the package the OS comes in. I'm looking at my 1020, MotoX and 6S next to me in charge stands. (1020 is wireless, the other two, in a connector) My 1020 glance tells me the time and date, next appointment, and I have one text and emails from two accounts waiting. The Moto screen shows me date and time. The 6S is black. When I tap,swipe, unlock, whatever, to pull up the start screen the iphone is, well, a sea of icons, some of which may have numbers. The Moto let me configure a few widgets, but not a lot of them, (screen real estate) and a handful of static icons. It does have a pretty nice icon bar along the top to alert me of events, emails, actions that need attention.  My 1020 has 11 live tiles and two tile folders showing, each of which can provide a decent amount of information about that app. (I don't have the high density turned on.) I get way more usable information, way faster without ever having to open an app with WP, than either iOS or Android. Saves time. More efficient.

Idk... Sex it up some!  Add glitter or sparklies 

#Priceless, hahaha, thanks for the laugh

I liked the corners of the 920

Look at iPhone 5 and 6. 6 is drastically different and looks better than anything Microsoft has now (except 1520).

I can't tell if you're joking or not. These are NOT drastically different.   EDIT: Image doesn't want to show. http://www.ordoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iPhone-5-vs-iPhone-6.jpg

iPhones are drastically different as the majority of cracked and damaged screens I see are iPhones. And they are not even the most popular brand here either. Unless they "magically" break, there is poor quality or design with regards to so many damaged iPhones.

They look like every other Android phone in the market.Ofcourse even Samsung makes same looking phones,but i don't think Samsung has that loyal fan base for thier designs.Nokia had,but since things got into Microsoft's hands,they're changing it

No, they DON'T look like every other Android phone. High end Androids have all moved on to premium materials and design.

Buy an Edge and the first thing you will do is buy a cover. Bam, you don't get to see the "premium design" anyway lol

I've had an Edge since launch, caseless. looks as good as the day I got it. I never use cases and I have owned a lot of phones that are fragile. 

Blackberry Slider Priv/Venice, is a good take on retro/new

Checkout LGv10

I'm getting more used to the design, but I can't stand the bezels on the side and on the top. Were in 2015 and not 2013...

I'm ok with the top and bottom bezels. The screen can't go full height because of an ear piece, microphones, data ports, headphone port, and other things. However, I agree with the side bezel. I hope the 950 XL has less of a bezel. It looks like most of these photos are of the 950.

Look at the bezel of the LG G3 and G4. They still manage to have all the things you said but have such narrow bezels. Eventually I need to see the device in real time to see if the bezels are really to big for me.

It's because of those Edge phones, right? =[

All that bezel and they chose to put the speaker on the back of the device?! Shooting sound AWAY from the user?! smh...

WTF are you on about, thats the speaker for the speaker phone in the back, the speaker for calls is the reason for the top bezel in addition to the fact that top and the bottom house most of the antennas and diversity antennas

WTF are YOU on about? That makes zero sense. Moto, HTC, and Huawei (to name a few) have devices with front facing speakers that are used for calls and media with SMALLER bezels. Your argument is invalid.

Sledgehamma and the Extreme G are the 5th and 6th persons to complain about the bezel respectively.  Where are the others.  There used to be scores of them.

The bezels like almost every phone? Or is the .01 millimeter diference something you really notice. I put my Icon next to a fellow co workers G4 and there is hardly a diference. (Yes the LG is smaller but barely) You have to be bitching for bitchings sake. 

I just don't like that circle around the camera. Is not the best aye appeal however the specs are impressing to me.

Exactly!! That's one of the reasons I'm leaning towards 950XL..

Looks ok on the white model, I hope they present white 950 and balck 950XL the 6th Oct. but I doubt it, they are not so smart when it comes to selling :D

So get one in white. Then the circle is hardly visible

I'm wondering if a magnetic lens can be attached to this metal ring ;)

It generates holograms :|

Hey look, it's still ugly.

Hey look, you're still irrelevant.

Awwww, somebody no likey my comment.

Awwwww, somebody acting like a whinny bitch?

Commenting in the comments section.  I could give a shite how you feel.  #WhinyBitch

Crying about what a phone looks like. I could give a shit how you feel. Though the irony of the hashtag is hilarious, considering your the one being a bitch and all.

You're #Whhhaaaa

Have a nice salami sandwich smothered in underwear, Alice. Cry some more. #DoucheBag

You're so witty and topical.  I'm surprised you're trolling the comments section here.  You sound to be intellectually superior to all of us.  #Congrats #AssHat

Lmfao +1

You obviously care a lot. Responding to everyone who doesn't like the design, claiming that they're whining. In reality you're the whiny bitch, as you put it.

In actuality, if you search through it all, everyone is sick of listening to the same group of you clowns, cry about the metal ring on a phone OVER AND OVER. Get a life, sniffer.

Looks of the phone is a legitimate concern. WP fans are now worse than iPhone and android fans combined. What happened to the comments section of this site? Gotten so much worse.

Yeah, I've really noticed that the comments have gone down hill drastically. That's why I stopped reading the Verge and now it's starting to happen here too. Seriously, the look of the phone is a concern. I personally love it and will get one (if budget allows), but they could have done something a little more drastic with the design.

WC comment sections seems like the population has gone down in age, or is suffering from a language barrier, our both.

haha, so true

Oh yeah? Um, uh...YOU'RE ugly! lol %p

Ugly. indeed.

I wouldn't say "ugly".  Cheap is the word I'd go for.  They look like a glorified 635.  So sad that Microsoft has completely squandered the talent they acquired from Nokia.  In fact, I'll bet they really just fired them all.

Unfortunately, the 630 looks more appealing. They should've just kept the 830's beauty not its ugliness.

idk about stating it that way, cause the Surface Team right now is the top design team any company has. I can agree that they've made a mistake for sure. I mean 2 years in the making, why would you not task this to your in house surface team is beyond me -_-

Oh god, these look awesome!
 

So, is that nice blue not going to happen?

Most likely not at launch if ever. WC said their contact confirmed the blue is for prototype phones only right now. I'm sure someone will make a case in that color if not a third party back since they're removable.

One of the good things about a removable back is that there should be other back cover color options that hit the market, even if it's not right at release.  Look at the 640.  

Something cool that Microsoft could do is push out a base 3D model for 3D Builder and then let people modify at will and send to a 3D printer (or printing service for shipping). That would bring attention to Windows 10's built-in 3D scanning, creation, and printing abilities as well as perhaps attract a few more people to the world of Windows mobile devices in general.

Apparently it's only for prototypes... however since they have removable shells we can just simply switch them out unlike some phones :P.

You know what I don't get? NO ONE is stopping those same companies that makes THOUSANDS of iPhone covers from making things for these but we never see the same kinda market for windows devices. Granted, the variety of form factors make it a bit difficult but come on, they've been using a similar design for a while now...they could very well make back covers for these and they should! =[

Making fewer models will help. The iPhone gets the accessories because there has always been 1 model. (now 2 with the plus). Even with older models and C variants, there's only a handful of iPhones models in use at any given time. There's been probably 20 WPs in its short life and a fraction of the total users.

And they always keep the design for at least one more iteration.

that blue was just MS way of weeding out the leakers.

I want a blue one as well...what I think would be awesome is for all the shells to not have to be polycarbonate. They could have metal casing and wood casing and all that other types of material if they wanted. That would deal with all the people who talk about the "premium" feel. And also that could be a way for them to do colors. Choose if you want a black or white phone (for the front) and then select what type of back you want.

Didn't know that it has front flash

It is not the front facing flash. Please read the article.

No front flash, that's the iris scanner for Windows hello.

It doesn't. The front has an iris scanner and a regular camera. At least both have the better flash for the back camera.

Awesome

PLEASE this FB tile should be a complete rewrite, and feature complete, app that will be announced tuesday!! Please!

Huh?

Wha?

Why?

I doubt it, but we'll both be hopeful for this. I just did a close-up comparison of the tile in the phone pictures in the article and the FB app on my WP81 phone, and the tiles appear identical. The tile on the Windows 8.1 Facebook app is slightly different, so at least we know it's not *that* version made universal (which would be even worse than we have now on Windows, imho).

Hopefully its priced to compete

Hopefully without crap bundled in... They didn't learn from the 830, and the Kinect.

what crap? The kinect is a decent bit of kit albeit under utilised. The items bundled with the 830, you could still sell them and make some money... if anything your lacking in imagination :P.  

"sell them and make money" - yeah, just what I want to do when I buy a phone, it comes with a chore!

Lol

Awesome comment... "Comes with a chore"

?

Your 830 came with a Kinect?! Say whaaaaaaa... =p

The Xbox not selling well because it was over priced and bundled with a Kinect lots of people didn't want. Similar story with the 830 and fitbit, and that's the rumor Dan has heard about for the XL.

I don't recall the Xbox being sold only with Kinect.

The Xbox One was only available with a bundled Kinect at launch. MSFT reaized their mistake relatively quickly though.

Was at the start.

SOLD !

That front picture of the 950 looks so good!

Beautiful! Can't wait to get mine.

If these phones have similar hardware and the exact same camera, what is with the different camera housings? Why does one have a metal ring and the other has a similar black circle to the 830?

We've only been feed all the core/basic specs of the modules, there's many other finer details when it comes to camera modules. We'll learn them all in "dribs & drabs" as time goes on, I doubt they're exactly the same in every way, they look to be clearly different in size/heft.

Nice seeing pure phones without an ugly AT&T or Verizon logo.  In many ways I hope these are only released as pure global phones like an iPhone as I dislike carrier junk that is installed out of the box and the ugly boot logos.  Who knows what secret services carriers include running in the background too.

I really hope so too. I'm not holding my breath, but the fact that carriers seem to be making people pay full price for phones anywayh, and that MS is taking control of updates gives me a little hope.

An easy reflash will get rid of the operator logo at startup, apps can be uninstalled. For the printed logo I'm afraid that's what you get for being sponsored by your operator

Microsoft Signature for phones! lol =p

"...being sponsored by your operator" I guess I've been doing it wrong the whole time. :P

Funny how they blocked the code numbers on the back but the funky "property of Microsoft" text will reveal who's phone it is. Not as great a design as the 920/930/820 but it is OK. I wish there were colors. Still don't get the chrome ring around the camera.

@DrewT3:
Somehow you got to appeal to the bling-
crow(d)...

Maybe, however if it's from a batch given to partners... it would be quite hard to ascertain who the perenial leaker(s) are. Then again they do have QR codes on them so...  

Looks like those letters have bold/not bold, upper case/lower case, and high-baseline/low-baseline. That's three bits per letter times 19 letters is 57 bits, more than enough to uniquely ID everyone on earth many times over.

High end spec in mid range package. It will not attract any new customers.

Shut up already.

I agree with you. STFU already.

@IEhrgeizI @missionsparta It would have been nice if they chose 920 or 925 body instead of 640 blocky design. Thats my openion.

With the unibody design from the 925 you will lose the ability to swap out or replace the battery and back cover with a different color as well as possibly losing dual SIM and microSD slot.

So? I have numerous portable chargers because I own a 1520, I intend to continue using them, a removable back is completely useless for me and not a feature I need. I'd rather ditch the dual sim option and just have a 925 or 1520 esque design.

He's allowed to speak his mind just like you are. Quit telling people to shut up.

It will if the price is right. Windows phones are very popular in lower income regions. Give them high end specs with a lower price and it will sell well.

@sunil254. Maybe go buy something else that has anodised aluminium? Instead of harping on about it.  

Its not ablout material they chose. They would have considered 920 or 925 design which looks much premium.

Looks premium to me.

Some of us care more for specs and functionality rather than looks.  I liked the 925 when I had it, but having no microsd card and having to put a case on it kind of sucked.  I never looked back when the 810 was released.

Luckily there is 5 million existing ones that have waited patiently for 2 years. :P

I Like only 950XL

Me too, but I like the renders of the white version more than the black. I'm usually a black phone person, but something about the white looks nicer to me. I'm putting it in a slim case either way.

Yup...still ugly

that last 950 image has some serious hidden info in the way the letters are upper/lower case etc.  even the windows icon is modified! hope the leakster doesnt get into trouble at this late stage i wonder if there really is a silver ring around the 950XL camera hump as it appears in these images?   Anyone know if the phones will have step counting (from sensor core?)

Yes, 808&810 support SensorCore

Actually, that's precisely how they identified a previous leakster and allegedly terminated their employment shortly after the leak. Would be a sad day for another employee to be let go. It's not like it's trivial to get a job with Microsoft, particularly in engineering.

Look very nice indeed. I prefer the XL still I think. Wonder if there is any difference on the camera...

im betting there is - especially when you think that there is no other difference in screen resolution etc. but they have put a 810 in the 950XL but only use a 808 in the 950 perhaps better OIS?

Nope, the same cameras

Yeah, so far I believe they are the same cameras, but we'll have to wait until more info comes out.

Dan, is it just me or does the glass on the 950 series look tapered(curved) around the edges? If so, they different from the Lumia 550 which is flat like the 640 series.

I thought that, until I looked at it for a while. Pretty sure it is flat.

It's flat. The reflective light, more prominent at the top, gives the impression of a curved screen. Zoom the bottom part and you will see it's flat. Shame, l have grown to love and appreciate the curved screens.

yeah, I think a slightly curved screen would have made these look much better, even if it had added another 1mm to he thickness

Does it have a camera button?

Both do

Are those displays curved a bit as other Lumias are? Or are those flat? 

Suppose to be flat, but that image does appear to be the opposite. Probably a lighting illusion.

Wait, 950 has no side buttons?

Look at the last pic, there you can se them. Can't see them on the first pic, either.

Looks like the buttons are *very* low profile and only visible from the back of the phone or at a slight angle.

There is, but hard to see it in the picture

yup no buttons anywhere. thats only for the renders and not real phones. who needs buttons?

How come glance screen with OLED screen?!!!

Uhm... Glance Screen works best on OLED screens. LOL. See the 925.

i have the 930 a amoled screen so simular to the oled but it didnt get glance because the panel had a memory issue, hes probably thinking about that issue.  Maybe its the same on oled but microsoft figured the issue out like they said they were going to do.

just like on L925?

Why not? Its possible, they just need a display with memory and now they used one. Lumia 930 has no display memory and therefore no glance.

Lumia 925, Lumia 928, Lumia 1020 all OLED with Glance. Not magic, just display memory.

Sweet sweet display memory, yay-eah! =D

Oooh I take it back they look nice.....

Let's scan the QR code

In case you're still trying to scan it, it's a "Data Matrix", not a QR code. :)

What the hell is that?

Can't wait to get my mits on one Tuesday night at the Event.  

Seeing them up close like that has really made me warm to the designs... any word on if/which one will be on T-Mobile, if at all??

Still can't get over that awkward side button layout on the XL :/

I am left-handed. IMHO, only LG does buttons correctly... 

I keep imagining it will be on the same level, side by side with the smaller phone but it will be taller, so the illusion makes it look weird...or were you talking about the fact that they're so close together? =s

Nah, just talking about the fact that they put the power/lock button inbetween the volume + and volume - buttons. All my other Windows Phones have the regular button layout now the 950XL has to go and be different -.-

the buttons will actually be less awkward with this placing, especially when using the phone one handed. they are all easier to reach and keep the balance with the longer chasis. screenshots will be easier.
 

Also it seems to have a notification led maybe.. Left to the, what do ya call it earpiece speaker..?? It is glowing red(although it looks quite dim). I hope it is colour customisable..

No need for an LED indicator when you have Glance

Colors?

Leaker is screwed with these pics. It revels everything on the back.. GGWP

Really surprised no one leaked a vid of these phones yet.

Please release in India first. It will rock and crack androids of the world

I like what you said, but I keep imagining it said, 'Android will crack rocks of the IT world' =p

I am very pleased. The functional design of the 1320 with all the enhancements that would have made it a flagship: Better camera. Better CPU. Dual Sim. Removeable Battery. Qi Charging   None of that horrible curved glass and sharp corners of the fragile 1520. And I love polycarbonate!   Now, if it only had an embedded stylus! And a wallet case that turns the screen off when closed, like my Nexus 7 FHD (RIP)...

So curved glass is horrible but you prefer the flip case to look like a retard when you talk on the phone or take a picture, ok!

a) That term is offensive. Besides, my sister-in-law has Downs, and I wish I could use a digital camera as well as her... b) Phablets are large. People have gotten over it. c) I'd rather have a built in screen protector and privacy device the wallet affoards me, and that works better on my 1320 than my 1520, in large part due to the curved glass probem and the sharp edges problem of the 1520... d) A defacto wallet GPS is preferable to not having a wallet GPS, after having lost my wallet and weighing the pros and cons of having all of these items together it is worth it for me. This isn't for everyone, and I don't pretend it is for everyone...   My devices are tools, not status symbols. I used them for things. Curved glass makes it harder to do things. I put my devices in cases. Always... Even subjectively, if you have curved glass, it is more 'ugly' to try and put a screen protector on it like one of my friends did with their 920. I didn't even bother to add the screen protector to my wife's 830 once I realized none would stick to that blasted curved glass. Even gorilla glass will eventually scratch. I'd rather have a screen protector that is replaceable and easy to apply... And doesn't fray at the curved edges...    

I also despise curved glass but not for the same reason.  Flat screens make it easier to install screen protectors that cover the whole screen.

Hey man, if Don Adams as Maxwell Smart can make the SHOE phone look cool... =p

just give me white xl

It looks nice. I'm sending more Microsoft than Nokia in these though. I liked Nokia's design language for hardware.

I am so amped right now, dual sim, in a damn flagsip. About damn time!  

Yep. Hurray! I'm a globe trotter, and have dual SIM - work and personal, and can carry one device. Happy times!

Me Too!! Very happy times :D

Looks great

Pricing? Any good guess?

Probably between 600€-699€ for the 950 and 700€-799€ for the XL.

That'a iPhone pricing.

For more advanced hardware. 

....and boring design that nobody will buy. 

Some will buyt it. Not everybody loses their minds for rose gold and fruit logos. 

Pink...reinvented = Rose Gold lol

I meant it as "it won't have such a high price point". 

Actually 6S seems to be launching at higher price point than "normal" due to euro losing value; expect the prices to start at 749€.

They won't sell at those prices. If those are somewhat accurate, I would expect deep discounting to start within a month or two of release. No need to rush to get one of these. Might as well wait for the discount.

Probably 550 - 650 according to leaked prices on store websites.

500 for the 950 and 600 range on the XL.That's my guess :)

Shitty rubber edge and flat screen now confirmed... :'(

hey man, always gotta have protection...

Dude, look at the Lumia 550 images and look at these, there's a clear difference. 950 glass appears tapered or curved while the 550 is completely flat like the 640 series.

Lighting effect - they are flat!

They are flat its the reflection makes them look like that

What's with the screen? Seems like 2.5D or something

Still not a fan of the on screen buttons =(

I love the ones in 1520. All should be like that.

Exactly. 1520 is the best WP, form factor is better than competing products. If these are real photos of the 950 it's rather disappointing design IMO with this mad ring. The 830 was the last one the have a "ring" for the camera and it was done very nicely. This just looks like from the early 90s.

Nah, still not impressed.

"Part of Windows Hello this feature lets users unlock their Lumia just by looking at it, which should make a good commercial for this phone.​" Won't you have to hold this directly up to your eye (that's what Thurrott said I think?) -- if so... not such a good commercial ;)

Don't confuse a retina scanner with an iris one. Big difference. Former requires "being close to your eye"

Oh, good to know! I was literally just going off something I thought Thurrott said about the phone the other month. But that may have been before this tidbit was released.

According to those images, only the 950 XL has an iris scanner.

That's what i am thinking. Compare that to a finger print reader which you can do at any angle without holding the phone up to your face. Iris scanner can make sense for a work station but a phone may not seem as natural. I normally unlock/swipe up on my phone as i pull it out of my pocket so it's ready to use as i look at it.

Like John Wayne cowboy style lol

This is an iris scanner, not a retina scanner. But I guess we'll see how seamlessly it works.

This looks stunning. I like the bezel and clear black look on the front. But not sure about the silver ring on 950 though. won't it reflect light which could interfere with the picture quality especially when taken in the bright light?

No.

Wow the 950 screen looks amazing. The camera circle isn't that bad. Think ill finally hang up my 1020

If I can get a duel sim in the UK and the phone costs under £400 then I will buy one.
 

so is the only difference now the 810 vs 808 sd? obviously the siz as well

XL supposedly has more premo buttons (can't recall material) & a flash-ring (not the decorative ring the 950 has). Then there's also the Surface Pen, which originally was rumoured to only be an option for the XL. But we've heard very little about that with the latest leaks... It also looks like the XL has more mics, so probably better audio capture abilities. Was originally rumoured that Qi charging isn't integrated for 950 (have to use a cover), but it now is I believe. They supposedly both have OIS... But I suspect there'll be further differences when one looks at ALL capabilities of the entire camera module for both models. XL camera module looks to be quite a bit heftier all-up... Battery of XL is larger, but display is also larger & SoC is likely to drain more power. So I doubt the extra ~300mAh capacity will give it an advantage. XL's Display PPI will be slightly lower than 950's, but the difference will be negligible. That's about it (no doubt I've missed some stuff ~3am here), pretty much identical in every other way.

I'd really like to see a spec-by-spec comparison to my Lumia 1520.3. I don't really care what it looks like, I just want performance, storage, and battery life. It seems like it's a slight upgrade, with a smaller battery (but less-hungry chip?) non-Zeiss lens, and no dual SIM. Fast charging and better front-facing camera, I assume Bluetooth 4.1. It'll be a worthy upgrade I suppose, not earth-shattering.

It does have zeiss optics, and if you'd have read the article, you'd have known that there is a dual-sim variant, for the 950.

It says Carl Zeiss on the back. One of the pics shows 2 SIM card symbols..

Read the article first. Zeiss lens are there, and dual sim is also there. Lighter, thinner, exchangable battery, iris scanner, continuum, and more improvements. This is not a small upgrade, but a entirely overhauling.

Wrapped in a bland design. It's like making a Ferrari look like a Honda. Yeah, it would be fast, but it would look like a Honda.

Here we go: http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Microsoft-Lumia-950-XL,Nokia-Lumia-1520/phones/9545%2C8109​ Remember that you're only comparing features available across both phones. While the iris scanner may seem minor, not tapping in a PIN every time but still having the phone locked for other users will make for a much simplified experience that going back to a PIN will feel archaic.

I hope it can make it in for an October release. I'm so tired of waiting for a new phone already.

Probably gonna be more like December. I don't think W10M will be ready for awhile. Unless they release it unfinished as usual.

Dan keeps insisting that November is the release month.

Hoping that the 950XL will get dual Sim as well as the 950.

Hmmm, still no notification LED...

Notification LED is surpassed by Glance Screen. Do you need Apple to INVENT Glance Screen so you can like it better than a LED? :P

Glance and notification LEDs are different. Notification LEDs can be more abstract... and descreet. Glance is more explicit, and also more subtle.  I'd rather have the option for both, at least until a glance lock screen app can blink a certain color under certain conditions, or even just have certain 'blocks' show up without more explicit information based on certain notification conidtions... Also, Glance burns more battery than LED notification lights. Sometimes, I'd rather not have the battery drain from Glance but still have missed call notifications... Windows button notification LED would have been great, except these have on screen buttons...

There is the argument, from previous article comments, that a flashing LED becomes annoying, especially at night time.

I recognize that a blinking LED can be annoying. However, I would also argue that any notification, such as a beep or ping, can be annoying as well, but exist on almost all phones/devices. The option for an LED notification is what I am looking for. Much like the option of having an extended battery and the option of a physical keyboard... Doesn't mean we can get it all, but I'd like all the options. And IMHO, this one isn't that difficult or obtrusive to design... Further, there are 'soft' LED notifications, where instead of a straight on/off blink is replaced with a softer dim-in, dim-out paradigm. Kind of like a less ear-rattling ringtone...

There's a small red dot to be seen. Could be a notification LED.

That's always been that sensor that reads whether it's day or night, light or dark to activate the brightness and such...did I just repeat someone else's comment? I bet I did I took so long to write all this crap, my bad =D

Once you have a notification LED on a phone, the phone will control you. Not you in the control of the phone. A notification LED is an unnecessary distraction that is not needed at all. It's not like you won't be checking your phone every minute considering the 21st century zombies in our world today...  

Just watching people apologizing for what they had said kkk

950...dat horrible camera design

first of all ring looks dam ugly well not as ugly as design that said why these devices sport old microsoft logo on back ?

That is the new logo, the old logo was just Microsoft spelled out

And the ring generates a holographic screen, honestly!

Looking at designs of 930,1520. This is garbage.
On screen buttons suck
Round corners suck
No more colors like yellow,red orange green.
The ring around the camera really sucks.
Position of speaker is not correct like the one on 930,1520 seems better.
No camera button

There is a camera button.
Any speaker placement but front is wrong, so it isn't better on the 930 and 1520, if anything, this will be harder to cover up with your hand. Straight angles might look better, but round edges are better, as they don't, you know, poke you in the hand.

On screen buttons are better. Position of the speaker is better. Less prone to be blocked. Both have camera buttons.    

That's entirely subjective. I didnt like any of the previous Lumia devices and their designs, i have only owned Android phones and the iPhone 5 and 6 plus. This is the first phone from Microsoft that has actually interested me. I think you may be looking at it from the wrong perspective, for those that don't have a Lumia, these are beautiful phones. Or, you know, you could just senselessly bash companies on the internet all day.

The comment is my opinion and I expressed it. Many of us including DJCBS don't the design at all compared to what nokia used to make.

DJCBS stated he will never buy a Microsoft phone, however it looks or it's specs. So not a valid point!

I would love dual SIM in the US. That would be fantastic and a way to allow me to stop carying 2 phones.

I hear you. Years ago, the US had dual SIM phones available and then they went out of fashion for some reason. And the few dual SIM phones that are available are less than desirable. Instead, I carry a personal and a work phone, which is nothing short of annoying. And the way that Windows handles dual SIM is particularly seamless, so I really, really, REALLY hope AT&T doesn't block the availability of a dual SIM version in the US like they have in the past.

That ring and even the speaker of the 950 looks ugly, I hope it is cheap cause not many people would pay a lot for such a cheap-looking phone

Everything that made Nokia phones the best hardware design on the market is lost here. They dropped all the mojo for some generic looking desing. No balls Microsoft, no balls.

When I first heard about these devices, I thought the 950 would be my phone of choice. But seeing the minor difference in overall size, and the extra screen space, and the rear design (as a 1020 user I have a liking for the large, round camera sensors) I would gladly choose the 950XL over the 950. The price difference between the two models is likely going to be the factor that would make me choose otherwise, though. The 950XL will not be cheap.  

1 - 950 will have 3 leda instead of 1?
2 - no laser focus? So bad...

I'm fairly certain you can provide a laser-like focus...REALLY bad rofl ;)

1) The doubt was between 2 or 3. And yes it's 3. 2) Laser focus is only helpful in dim light situations. No speed advantage IMO. Take Samsung S6 for instance. One of the fastest mobile cameras around doesn't have laser focus.

950 flash position is good in my opinion.
In case of its XL variant, the flashlight is covered with plastic which could effect the photos.

I'm pretty sure they'd have thoroughly tested it. If you and I can think about this 'possible flaw' they would have too.

Looks like the XL has the high-def microphones but the 950 does not.

It all comes down to price for me. Can not wait! if its anywhere in the price range of $399 Ill more than likely get it immediately. Im assuming Microsoft will pricematch the Nexus's, so ill end up with the 950. But that is just a guess.

UGLY AF

I will put a sticker to cover up at ring.

Or just make it black. In white the ring will hardly be noticable. Look at the LG V10. Is has a same looking ring.

I know it's a long shot and I'm not really hopefully BUT... I really, really hope that - by some last minute heebie-jeebie, mumbo-jumbo randomness - at least one of these, or some variation, come to Verizon. Changing carriers isn't really a choice for me and I've been sitting on an upgrade for some time now and if they don't, I'll keep my 928 until the wheels fall off.  I've had several iPhones and Androids over the years and I just prefer WP. I'd rather keep using what I have than upgrade to anything else.

It won't matter too much, putting a case on it asap. #internals and OS is more important to me.

Whatever happened to the design team? This is just exceptionally bland. As bland as the 640. Identity crisis.

Bland to you, awesome looking to me.

It's bland to everyone, but someone may like it that way

Well, to some it should be even more blend (losing the silver ring on a black 950) Personally I like blend, clean in polycarbonate.

Yeah. It looks like it was rushed. Doesn't really distinguish itself from the other mid/low-end Lumias.

Seems like Microsoft heard all the fans and gotten sick of it. This is more like a 640 body with high specs, just to stop all WP fans from crying for a flagship. Truly lazy design.

One word
WhyTF leakers :|

Sometimes when you gotta go... =[

hope that the white variant of the 950 will look sexy with that silver ring :)    

It does. http://www.tabtech.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Microsoft-Lumia-950-OL-White.jpg

I don't mind the rings but why are the designs different on the 950 and the 950XL?  I would think since they're the same camera to have them designed to look the same?  Probably just me.

The XL just stretched it out so it got narrower... O.o

Do my eyes decieve me, or is there still the nice "2.5D" screen edge.

I like them I must not have taste LOL just hope i can afford one.

so far it looks best in black. however, would REALLY prefer yellow. orange & green would be nice too

Are those onscreen navigation keys or what? I am confused because the search button looks new like on Win10 mobile, and I didn't notice it before in the renders

Not good design Microsoft........u are disappointing windows phone fans.....specially me......i don't like the shiny circle around the camera........if speaker was at rear bottom than that could be better........the phone also seems bulky I don't know why.......and mainly pls don't make keys on screen......just go through the design of Lumia 1520....and that it the superb windows phone I have used........and there is no sign of aluminium body in the phone......and also I like the curved pointed corners bcoz that looks premium....

Very Bad Design

Like Michael Jackson bad..? O.o

I love the edge to edge glass, but why so much bezel on the bottom

The buttons are now on screen the bezel isn't that big.

The bezel is still that big, though. That's his complaint: we lost capacitive buttons but the bezel is still huge.

Looks musch less than an iPhone and on par with a galaxy. What phone are you comparing it to that has a significantly smaller bezel?

On-par with Galaxy S-series, but those have the buttons within that bezel. That said, it's not too bad here and some bezel might help with accidental presses..

I guess all the pictures in the world wont compare to feeling it in-hand. The white on-screen button panel shows that the bezel is about the same height as the panel. Which means it may be just as much bezel as my 1520, I'm okay with that.

You are the fourth person I've seen complaining about the bezel.  Where are the rest?

@Daniel Rubino Not sure if this is covered in the comments or not, but I have the BLU HD LTE that supports dual SIM, though I do not use dual sim's, and my visual voicemail does not work on it, the internet seems to think this is because VVM does not work with dual sim phones.. have you heard of this being fixed within WP10? Thanks

950 will be mine, I really like it and it will be nice to have s808 instead of 810. I don't want an another phone like my 930, who are too hot to hold it when i start to use it a little.

I wonder if that chrome on the regular version going to reflect on the flash and RUIN EVERY SHOT!!

Lol. Good one.

Well this shouldn't matter much to you, since you shouldn't be taking pictures of yourself considering that you look like a mix between a jellyfish washed upon the beach and a baboon. 

Let's see if Verizon gets them.... If so, I think I am going for the larger one.... After trying a LG G3 for a while.. http://forums.windowscentral.com/android/385134-my-one-week-android-project.html and living with a5.5" display for a while, My ICON looks small... as for looks, still prototype (case could change) its ok, and NO I do not use cases on my phones...never have, never wlll. Crossing fingers Verizon picks up this phone....

Will we know on Tues if Verizon will be carrying these?

I hope so but I paid my Icon off so I can leave if they don't.

I'm rocking the 928 on Verizon, which I got on launch day for $99 on contract. Now that two-year contract subsidies are gone, I don't think I can justifiy paying full-price for an expensive phone like this without the subsidy, especially with my 928 still rocking it like a champ. It'll be interesting to see how this industry trend to give up subsidies will affect high-end phone sales.

Monthly payments, full price or 2yr contract. All options.

Dual sim, just what I needed.

Bring it on the Dual sim variant, we Indians just love it!

Dual sim is horrible.. It should be included for budget phones only..

Why horrible, just don't use if you don't need simple.

Are those on screen buttons?

Yes

Have to admit the more I see, my feelings still haven't changed.  When I first saw the 8x, my first thought was I had to get one, when I first saw the 925, it was the same "gotta get it" feeling, the same when the 1520 was announced.  With this, I don't really feel anything.  It's almost like that week before christmas only to find out you're getting some socks and shower gel.

I just want a Orange one. Like my 930. So, i'll stick to my 930.

A Russian site already have these up for pre order at 62,990 rubles. At today's rates that's roughly $950 usd and £624 uk pounds.(price of 950xl). I like purchase my phone's sim free after prices have settled a bit but these prices if right are a little step for me.

In Russia phones are a lot more expensive. Look here for a spanish site: http://www.nokiapoweruser.com/lumia-950-xl-listing-seen-on-one-more-spanish-retailer-pricing-gets-better/  But thanks to our reader “Marco” we now have listing pages of Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL on another Spanish retailer and good news is that pricing just gets better. Lumia 950 is priced 596,54 € and Lumia 950 XL is priced 674.96 € by this retailer. Keep in mind the pricing her is including the high VAT applicable in Spanish market and as such the base price of both the devices should be around a super-cool 549€ and 619€ for European markets. The pricing revealed if true seems to indicate even better pricing than what our sources told us but again very close, as what we told is RRP.      

Thanks for the info.

Even looked curvy! I thought it was meant to be flat. They look amazing!

I wish they were flat.

The front glass on the front actually looks curved in the photos. If so, that's one thing people can quit crying about. I do have to day, that that black looks boring compared to the white and other colors we've seen in renderings!

Why release Dual-SIM variants for a premium flagship product.. It looks so cheap

So more company employees don't have to carry two phones and instead receive a stipend. In the event of a legal inquiry, they can just hand over the SIM assigned to the company instead of their personal SIM.

What interests is SIM to anybody? Data is stored elsewhere (phone, cloud, operators, NSA etc.) Dual SIM is popular in developing countries only.

Dual SIM, not dual SD.

How does a dual SIM affect the looks of a phone at all?

So then why the different camera housing at all?

What's with the hate towards the ring? Come on, its not like you're going to be staring at its back. Maybe once a while you'll check for smudges on the lens... "One ring to rule them all.... "

How grippy is the matte finish? My 830 falls out of my pocket all the time because it is too slippery. I'm hoping these will be more sticky, like my HTC 8x finish was. I'm excited to get one either way though.

If it's like other polycarbonate Lumia's, it will be a lot better. One of the reasons I dislike metal phones. One way or the other they are always slippery in my hands. Even more so when the edges are curved.

you must have wierd pockets lol, my mother hasnt droped her 830 and she finds it ok, my lumia 930 also a metal phone, i have droped, its certainly not the most comfortable phone to hold but its also not slipery at all.

One thing I noticed with these pictures is that the metal around the camera on the 950 has thickness instead of just being a trim piece for looks. It seems much more useful this way because it protects the lens better than the polycarbonate would.

Phone looks nice...can some one please clear about HAAC recording on these ??

I sure hope we have some software surprises on Oct 6th, like MixView and interactive tiles. WP needs this to further show the uniqueness of WP. Microsoft shows us unique things their R&D yeah creates and then just let's other platforms beat them to introducing them!

linked email accounts, gestures back would be great.

Based on the leaked picture, their size is not that much different.  I would go for the 950XL ... Also, MS targets enterprise users, so they design the phone that will fit in enterprise environment.

Look how badly that cover wraps around the triple flash. I hope this is a prototype...

Zoom in on the image showing the start screen, it clearly says prototype at the bottom.

What the hell.. Design looks good when compared to previous leaks

Who put that ring around the camera... fire him/her!

Still I will wait for 1020 successor

has anyone put any thought in to WHY Microsoft has used Polycarbonate instead of metal? Could it have something to do with keeping the 808 and 810 chipsets cool? A full metal device might not do so well with these chips, as there have been reported issues, but im not very clued up on this. Could it be so that the 950/XL can be priced alot lower than the other flagship devices (iPhone 6s, Samsung Galaxy S6 etc) Could it be to save weight? with the larger removable battery, wireless charging, Infared scanner, 20mp camera (new tech or more lenses like the 925 had over the 920 for example) These are just some possible reasons that I can think of as to why Microsoft has used a plastic body, instead of adorning it with a metal body. When I bought my Lumia 925, it came without wireless charing, unless buying the backplate, the backplate adds a lot of weight and bulk to the phone. And i keep the backplate on constantly, (its black phone with yellow backplate, looks awesome) even tho my phone no longer charges wirelessly (a drop and broken screen caused that, even Nokia Care couldnt rectify this) WHEN i get my 950XL I WILL be putting that bad boy in a case, regardless of plastic or metal body, I just hope that a company like Dbrand will do some vinyl skins for the 950/XL as Microsoft/Nokia rarely gets any love from big accessory manufacturers, I have to take a chance on some cheap chinese rubbish OR pay the premium for Original Accessories from Nokia or Microsoft, which I have done in the past, I have 3 wireless charging covers for my 925 white, yellow and black, a JBL Power UP bluetooth speaker, and a pair of Monster Purity Pro bluetooth headphones in yellow. I'm hoping Microsoft release some glorious colour back covers for these phones.    

yeah...i prefer the 920 form factor, that being said...dual sim is going to be a bonus when i get myself a 950 xl.

Seeing mention of a dual-sim variant makes me cry tears of joy. Just hoping it's part of the XL too!

Lots of really great features! Kudos to the development & design folks for keeping it relevant!

any specific reason why the camera hump on the 950xl is bigger maybe it has a better sensor then the smaller one?

update the boring design.... Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note5, Sony Xperia Z5 and LG V10 looks way better than these designs !!!!

I honestly don't get this comment. I realize beauty is in the eye of the beholder but look at the front of this phone next any of those and they are almost identical. Flip it over to see these cosmetic differences that make you feel you need a piece of jewlery instead of a phone. Seriously do this. Then explain this massive difference that makes you gravitate to phone by looks rather then form and function. Then maybe this comment will make some sense to me.

What is the purpose for the ring around the camera in Lumia 950?? I still can't understand. It's looking cheap

950 XL is looking B'ful. But 950 looking like cheap Micromax phone.

A thing of beauty, love them. Dual sims, this phone will be in a class by itself, good jub microsoft

The screen looks amaze!

Serious question, what is the use of that big silver ring on 950 camera? It looks ridiculuous in my opinion, hope the ring has meaningful function.

one of the new lg phones has it to and it doesnt seem to serve a purpose.

Yes, hopefully it is a ferrous material so attachements and lenses can magnetically be secured over the lens

I'm pretty sure it's only a design element.

Yeah, I'm not impressed with this design at all (visually that is)... Sadly, I'll likely still be buying it cuz my 920 can only take me so much further and I haven't heard rumblings of any other flagships by other OEMs.

I love that design! Oh my gosh I want it

Is it just me or you can notice the circular camera elements not perfectly centered inside one other? Don't wanna nitpick here, but....

Yes, I'd noticed that flaw too, but am inclined to attribute that to the pics being of a prototype.

I sure hope so, just noticed that my 1020 kinda has that too...

Looks so ugly

Looking at the simple form factor of 950/950XL, and with the specs sheet, microsoft should keep the pricing at 400$/500$ max. Microsoft should focus on online marketing and community interaction more along with their retail partners. Keep price low, and devices would be sold like hotcakes in price sensitive market like India.

That metal rings on the 950, ugh...

Way nicer now.

Front camera definitely wrong position.

What is the benefit of a triple flash as compared to a dual flash?

Beautiful phones, I wish I had the $$$ to buy them here in Brazil! But I'm 100% satisfied with my L930 anyways.. good job MS!

"One more thing, I'm shuttering the Windows Phone project!"

Is there a camera near the navigation bar?

What is the benefit of a triple flash as compared to a dual flash?

I guess I have to buy the 950 XL looks good to me.

Microsoft this ur last chance to develop our windows devices so please make it meaningful and great . If windows 10 is not popular I'll switch to android devices.

Bye, don't let the door hit you in the butt.

Nobody cares.

I really would've preferred flat sides for a more premium look but I'll get one regardless. My 1020 seems so old and dinky now compared to my wife's 640XL.

Haha this is the last time I'm going to take back my statements. OK these don't look as good as previous flagships still in my opinion but they sure as heck look good now. Very nice. All I need to know is can I get one through T-Mobile. I hope I can. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

3 points:
- I has got's to get me one of those dual SIM 950XL.
- no case for me, if replacement backs are available, hopefully in color.
- don't like the ring on the 950? That's what sharpie markers are for.

I like it, looks great.

Talking about dual sim version, I heard that Lumia phones with dual sim do not support LTE/4G they only support 3G. Does anyone know if this true?

Untrue. Some support LTE.

Are you sure? A friend has the 640 dual sim I believe and he says that he's not getting LTE/4G on that phone but on another single sim phone he gets full coverage of LTE/4G.

I have a BLU WinHD dual sim phone and I get LTE/4G with AT&T

That probably depends on the model. It would be really weird if a flagship phone doesn't have 4G with the dual SIM variant.

These look pretty good actually - kinda like the 1520. Would love the Surface phone but can't hold out anymore. 950XL it is.

Who cares? We want deets on that surface.

Camera sensor size? Better than 1020?

IT has less megapixels. We really dont know much about the sensors. you have to wait till tuesday for that.

This is what I'm interested in. They way you hear Daniel talk in other articles, it sounds like the pictures will just blow away everything on the market... On the market, though. I don't care about iPhone or Galaxy or LG G4; the bar is set at 1020.

Qi charging for the 950 is with an extra cover, right? I think it should be noted in the spec list.
 

supposedly its been added into the phone. no cover needed.

The latest is that MSFT decided to integrate it. No need for a case.   EDIT: I guess I need to start refreshing before answering. :-)

It is still a little odd that they would be called 950 and 950XL when the design are so different. You would think that they would be exactly the same but one with larger screen (and battery). Maybe it will be 850 and 950 in the end.  

The irony for me is that every time I read of a new feature, I get bummed out because I was really hoping for a competetive upper mid-range phone that wouldn't break the bank (like the Nexus 5x, Moto X PE, new HTC One A9, etc). Every new "flagship" feature translates into more money, and less likely that I will be able to buy it...Just me though. I know the community is thrilled at the high-end features, and I'm happy for them.

Ewww those ugly speaker grill.. /s Microsoft is really going all out with the imaging department ont the new lumia.Notice the 3 LEDS with different colour/tone each. Should give the iphone 6s and OPT a good fight. There screen real estate to front face size is surprisingly quite huge.  

Why the f**k is that camera ring chromed?! And that bezels!?

you are the 6th person I counted complaining about bezels.  Where are the rest of you?  There used to be scores of you.

They should have tried harder to get the front facing camera and the infrared LED to line up (in line with speaker). A minor aesthetic touch, but one less thing for Apple to poke fun of.

So lumia 950 don't have surround microphone in the rear and Lumia 950xl have it...

Has anyone else wondered why the camera housings look drastically different on both? Is it really just for esthetic reasons or is the camera slightly better in some way on the XL?

Damn, they look even better as real devices than previous renders!
Now I want it even more.

I love these two high end smartphones running Windows 10 mobile. Why? 1) SD card slot at up to 1 TB!! Space problems are over! 2) Removable battery. These two features alone will make these phones a success.   BUT these two smartphones are much better than the iPhone 6 and 6S, as they have several features not present on the iPhones. And the Windows 10 mobile OS is better than the iPhone iOS OS.   There are going to have Windows fans shedding crocodile tears because the shell is in polycarbonate instead of being in metal. I prefer in polycarbonate for many reasons.   Finally, the quality of the pictures taken on these new phones is going to be amazing or excellent.

What if I want to look at the lock screen but not unlock it?

Good question: When used in conjunction with the Microsoft Band 2, it will be able to read you pulse rate and determine your intention when looking at the phone to either unlock the screen or to hard reset it and cause it to self destruct in 5 seconds (presumably configurable)...

I'm assuming that Windows Hello is going to work just like a pin does today. You will have to swipe up on the lock screen to start the unlock process.

950.. I'm waiting for you :D

Damn!! That looks awesome ... I am sold :)

I think the 950xl look like a nicer phone. Love the slight nod to the 1020 camera look on the back.

That Microsoft logo on the back side is so sexy. I am going to get a black version just to show off the logo! Putting a case is out of question. I just hope these phones are as strong as my 920. It is strong as a tank! Dropped it so many times, even on conrete. Not even a crack. Its been 3 years and my Nexus/Galaxy owner friends have changed their screen 3 times and changed phone once. But, they just don't learn from the mistakes. Feel pitty for them.

The 950XL looks fab! And it sounds like damn good specs too! All that remains is the price which I hope is reasonable. If it is I will buy it within three months of its release to replace my trusted 1520.

Looking closer at the hidef shots, the ring on 950 reminds me of the Minions. I hope they release an official yellow colored Minion model ;) But hey, thats an excellent idea for the covers!

Will there be a 1020 successor?

Look awesome! For me its a nice looking design!

Still don't look like true flagships. :/

I believe it is, strictly speaking and splitting hairs (which I have precious little left, at least on my head), iris recognition (and not scanning), i.e. the camera essentially takes a picture of the iris and compares it to the pattern on file; scan (as in an actual scanning beam) is used in retina recognition. :) Not that I really understand or that it matters. :P

I don't get why people hate this phone. I like design of it a lot. I'm excited

Would be nice to see a pic with the navi keys hidden. Hmm. Finally something I still can look forward to in the launch! :P

Looking at them side by side, the size difference is negligable.  This may have just swayed me to the XL.  I'll need to hold them to be sure though.

Getting more excited by the day for the (official) reveal! Only 4 more to go! Already set my heart on the 950xl, after two happy years with the 1020. Hope they're released quickly.

No LED notifications?????

Not necessary with Glance. LED notifications are so annoying. One of the reasons I ditched Android.

yay.. for me the ring does not bother me at all... now i am really tempted by the L950.. have to save up to buy that which will have dual in India for sure

Will the 950XL have a pen/stylus?

Dan wins, haha. I've hated all the previous renders, but these new high-res photos definitely put the phone in a new light. It's actually pretty gorgeous! As long as they release a blue after-market back cover (Since it's been repeatedly confirmed that this will be one of the thinnest devices with a removable back out there), I'll be set! Those specs are pretty juicy also! So gosh-darn it Mr. Rubino, you were definitely accurate when saying that while we hated the renders, we'd love the actual phone. Just like my reaction to the 925. And the 1020. ... And the 1520... :/ I'm definitely sold on the 950 XL, it looks damn fine. My only complaint is the terrible placement of the speaker. But otherwise: Good!

So finally, for the first time in like what, 13 years, we get a top of the line Windows phone that actually has all of the latest cutting edge stuff? ABOUT TIME!!!!  

What was the point in making two separate phones? They're basically the same in size, specs and everything.

So excited! Must wait for pricing though.

I personally am not focused on looks. I just want my 950XL NOW!

Judging from the comments here, I must just be totally missing something. I see comment after comment about how great these look and I am just not seeing it. And it's not even just "these look good", but it's like people are going ga-ga over them. They may not be ugly, but I just don't see the appeal. If I end up with one, I will have no qualms about it going in a case. What is it about these pictures that people see that makes them be so excited for these phones? Or has the flagship drought been so long that our standards are coming down, just so long as we finally get a flagship?

Maybe people are focused on specs and not looks? What a concept. 

Maybe, except for the fact that the many of the comments are about the design and not the specs. I think it's pretty much accepted that the specs on these phones are good enough.  

I can honestly say that the way a phone looks has NEVER been a deciding factor in a phone purchase for me. I find these phones to look like phones. I love the OS and specs,THAT is why I'm getting one.  All these appearance comments strike me as people making up excuses not to buy it. If appearance is that critical of selling point go buy a bedazzler and a glue gun. LOL

LOL :)

I'm gonna buy this phone so hard! 

Hi-end dual sim+SD is a bingo for me. One of them will replace my 640 XL in early 2016  

Well I think Microsoft has done a wonderful job on theses phones. Great specs, removable battery, SD card, great camera, and nice style IMHO. However, will I get one? Yes, but only if the price is right. With Microsoft trailing behind by a huge and I mean huge margin if the price tags are over $399 for the 950 and $499 for the 950XL I will pass.

I completely agree. Especially if the photo quality doesn't surpass the 1020, which isn't impossible. If these take as good of pictures as the 1020 and fix some of the things the 1020 lacked in processing speed then I would be willing to spend more than I'm right now, which is roughly in line with you. If the pictures are simply as good as other flagships on other OSs then I will likely pass unless the price is crazy low. I got the 920 months before the 1020 came out and regretted not waiting. I don't want to get one of these and have a 1050 come out a year from now.

LOL so you're saying it has to be almost half the price of the iPhone? Really?

The size difference between the 950 and 950XL doesn't appear to be that significant. Hope this is the case because if so, why get the 950? This looks nothing like the iPhone 6 vs 6 Plus where one clearly is gigantic and the other isn't.  Anyone else notice that? Are they two separate photos merged together like the one showing the front of the phone? Thoughts?

When do the unlocked versions go on sale in the US?  Any rumors?  I'm just hoping they don't announce it, then release it next April.  Because Microsoft would never do something like that.

We can just put cases on them, even though I don't like cases. Might just give up and get the new nexus too.

Wow. Really like the design. I love the back and front. Amazing specs. Easily most feature rich phone when it releases. Well done Microsoft.

In October 2015, Microsoft is releasing the iPhone 4.

The front looks good Posted via a surface hub

What part of the phone do you look at the most? :)

Currently using my HTC android but only because I'm using my lumia icon as a backup and as a tester for win 10.. but I can't wait for that 950 xl... Looks great. I like the lumia look and feel. Love the size and the front does looks awesome. Back looks good but kinda dull.. although idc really because I'm sure eBay will offer colored backs eventually. Does the front kinda look curved around the edge or is that just the pics? Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

Can't even read the screens with all that garbage in the background.

Yuck

in-screen buttons on a flagship... REALLY?! Other than that, I'm loving it, even with that odd ring around the camera on the 950 (which is the one I plan to get)  

Lots of strong feelings here.

One thing I can't tell from the render is whether the 950XL will have software navigation buttons. The 950 obviously does (the background of the nav bar is white). I would actually prefer for my phone to use soft navigation buttons, since they can be hidden when you don't need them, plus they rotate with the phone's orientation. Anyone know whether the XL features software navigation buttons?

I'll give them a hi-res meh! I'll be sticking with my 928 until they figure out what the hell they are trying to do with W10M and someone comes out with a worthy flagship. If these are the new definition of flagship, W10M doesn't have a chance on hell of succeeding unless they are willing to sell the handsets at a material loss.

Am I the only one who can see a D curve screen same like Samsung edge??

Looks nice actually. I do need flagship phone with DUAL-SIM support! This is the must.

Hopefully OEMs jump on board with W10M so Windows fans can all choose the hardware we want instead of being "forced" to buy whichever Lumia fits our budget. I still dream of an Xperia Z5 with W10M!

Ugly phones

Ugly phones

Am I the only one who can see the D curve screen. Same like Samsung s6 edge?

Nice hardware ruined by a flop software

I'm fine with the designs. Please MS, don't make us wait any longer!

the high res pics of the devices are actually decent, better than the leaked pics prior.

All that hardware!!...but if Windows 10 mobile sucks...we're all doomed.!!!

A curved screen woulda kill it!

That's much better! Great design! nothing too out of the square, but they are nice looking phones!

Granted this is a highly anticipated release that actually has specs greater than the current iPhone series. However, this reminds me of the Lumia 928 release... They are really handcuffing themselves with two colors. I realize it is a shallow and cosmetic issue. However, it is still a SERIOUS ONE if they plan or even want to steal users away from apple! Although this phone will have better specs than the iPhone, it does not look better! Imagine you are an isheep looking for a new mobile experience in store. You compare the iPhone to the 950xl. Specs are better but fairly similar. Guess what they are buying, a phucking iPhone.. Lumia's are known for their colors. Every oem has stolen from the color scheme concept since Nokia made it popular a few years ago. This is the first big release since the 930 and 1520 and there are only two colors?! This strategy will fail. I realize they will probably release more colors around Christmas, but I guarantee even two months after it's release that will be too late!! By Christmas I will wait for the surface (juggernaut) leaks and hold out until April. Snooze you loose. This game changes too fast. The options have to be ready on day one. Period. That is the first impression amd it will last.. I truly hope they are releasing this day one with more colors, and that they have not been leaked yet...

Jebote kakav stroj! It looks awesome!

Is that a curved screen?

I think both these phones will fit nicely into the Microsoft eco system. I hope not too pricey so I can nab the 950 XL on day one.

This Flagships are UGLY. This silver circle omg. RIP Lumia design by Nokia

Cool story girl.

sweet

But will it have snapchat

"we have waited a lot for a flagship Lumia....but leaked images disappointed me....not so good design....no hardware navigation keys....i was expecting like Lumia 925 & 1520 design language."
Anyways let's see....what comes out finally on 6th Oct."

Has anyone seen that new Nexus phone? Now that's what I call ugly.

At least they will stand out... Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

Yes!! The dual-sim option is what I want on the 950xl!! Hope it will come out on the day 1!

Most high end phones , 6s+, note 5, nexus 6p ,all come with solid metal casing except this one .  Plastic ? Really

I like the silver ring as it adds a little bit of style and class to what would otherwise be a very plain indistinct phone. All the budget on these phones was put on the internals and functionality (opposite of iPhone), but the camera accents give a nod that this is not a standard Lumia 600 or 500 series. These are best in industry flagship devices.

I still don't get why people should prefer this dumb iris scanner or ffc or whatever to an ir-blaster... (Is it cause MS will not get any information about you from an ir-blaster?)

Beautifull mid-end. Thats rly not high-end design

I am really hoping these phones will work on the VZW network.

Anyone try going to the http://proto.microsoft.com like that's at the bottom of the phones?

I haven't been able to follow all the news with these phones so forgive my question, but which phone is which? Based on this article, I thought the 950 was on the left and toward the top of the two parts of the article, but the pictures seem to be the opposite of the pictures that were leaked on the store. Is it the 950 with the thick camera ring or the XL? http://www.windowscentral.com/8-photos-lumia-950-lumia-950-xl-microsoft-...

Lovely Phones!

Carriers?

Finally, a real photo and guess what, the 950 just looked awesome as hell. The render portrayed the silver thing around the camera as lame and ugly but this made it feel more classic.. Nokia classic. And I like Nokia design. Now to the most important parts.. 1) will it be available in Singapore? 2) how much will it cost?

The 950 camera design should look like that of the 920 or 930. This look out place for a high end phone!

XL looks quite nice

That silver camera ring though----yuck.

It looks fine. One thing I hope it that Microsoft makes Windows 10 Mobile available on Oct 6 for everyone

i'm still going to get one regardless... but my patience is wearing thin when it comes to apps. And i get annoyed when i see television ads saying "download our app in the app store" and the company will have a windows app but they will never showcase it! it make me upset as if companies create intentional brand bias toward Microsoft when im sure the majority of their IT infrastructure runs it. I dont get it!

Pricing and Verizon

My only issue is in comfort, there was a shot from an angle that shows the 950 with quite boxy sides, I tend to find boxy phones uncomfortable to hold (early iPhones, Xperia) so I'm going to have to get the phone in my hands to decide whether or not I like it.

"Ugly, bland, cheap, plastic, boring, dull" : Shut up and get iPhone. Shows proof that apple can make ipoop with a rose gold finish and gloss and isheep will wait at apple store with long ishit lines, and after purchasing it will hi-five each other with ipoop gloss smears.

One thing: why do phonemakers keep making the mistanke of putting the FF camera in the corner?! Then you have to angle the phone to actually be in the middle of the picture, ffs.

The 950 actually looks good!
I was worried about that metal ring around the camera.  In the renders it looked cheesy,  but in the photo's it looks good! Feeling much better about my commitment to buying a Lumia 950.

At least they don't have those gross antenna join lines the iPhones have top and bottom, so ugly, why can't Apple make a one piece back?

So I didn't see anything amongst all the bitching comments, but is the front glass curved down the sides? Or is it just the lighting?

It stinks that the speaker is in the back.

If Microsoft was smart they would get Nikon to add Windows phone OS to their WIFI app. At present the app only supports Apple or Android. Either the iPhone or Samsung new phones enough spare storage will to support large picture files without microSD. Nikon WiFi app only works with smartphones and tables. These new phones would have a easy sales pitch with the up to 2TB external storage feature.....customers like me. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

i simply want MS to win but this is crap. screamingly ugly. fire their design team. shit they never get any design perfect(surface i take it as luck) i hate apple but the importance they give for design is awseome. feel really let down. go get drunk. goddamn MS. even surface phone render was amazing. was waiting for this guess am going android for lg v10.anyways having windows mobile has no advantage with windows 10 unlike apple iphone and mac os.    

I like the minimalist look of these devices. Nothing flashy (no pun intended) and gets the job done. Looking forward to this device.

Waiting for this phone

But design is worst

Whoa I thought it was curved

For all those complaining about Microsoft's design & lack of Metal... Here are 2 links to very reputable Apple website's that have insight into what material & design cue's that the next iPhone 7 will have. http://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/15/09/27/rumor-iphone-7-might-be... http://9to5mac.com/2015/09/27/iphone-7-waterproof-design-rumors/ Not sure why Windows Central hasn't highlighted any of these rumors in the articles about the new Windows Phones to stop all these little babies from crying about not getting a iPhone Windows Phone design that they want... If you hate it so much go buy an iPhone 6S already and join Apple Insider...

What i want with a Iphone??? I hate it. But this new WP are ugly Point fanboy.

high definition
high disappointment Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

Design flaw with the camera flash on the 950XL under the same protective glass as the camera. If glass is not perfectly clean - and it never is - then dirt on the glass will flare flash light sideways and into the lens. This is a no-no in photography, really surprised that MS made this mistake.

We deserve this phone..

Oh my god ... Early November??! Craaap!!!

I'm getting excited about the XL. That is gonna be a beast!

I won't say that these are as beautiful as competition's metal phones, but they are still gorgeous in their own right. And the fact that they excite me more than any other metal phone out there, with every leak speak for itself.
Now, call me cynic but I can't find out the IR scanner on Lumia 950. If Microsoft left the slimmer sibling out, I'm gonna punch the wall.
Ok, for me 950XL holds more attraction, but only because of that rumored pen accessory support. But no leaked evidence has pointed to it, which is scaring me a little. I'm hoping Microsoft has something to wow us regarding inking support on THE day.
Now, something's that I want W10m to improve on for out of the box experience.
1) Seamless install, uninstall and download functionality through store. No compromises on that.
2) Stability and fluidity in loading and switching apps, checking notifications and lock/unlock. No compromise on that either.
3) No bugs regarding functionality in Outlook apps. No compromise on it either. Out of box experience should be stellar for these two apps.
4) Native search/cortana app experience. Current Bing wrapper is mediocre at best. Also, Cortana is too slow regarding queries. This is part and parcel of an always connected device and thus no out of box compromises on it either.
5) Lumias has always been about great photography, so to no one's surprise, these phones need to deliver on that. First things first, they need to up their game on fast app loading times and fast pocket to capture times. Secondly, 4K recording with all the bells and whistles like Moment capture, Dynamic flash, HDR, Living Images and 240fps Slowmo to take on competition. Combine it with better image processing algorithms for bright/low light, white balance, detail, sharpness, depth of field(bokeh) and OIS.
6) Seamless Windows Hello and Continuum experience out of the box.
7) And finally, proper pen support for these phones. By proper, the software experience needs to be integrated like taking notes on OneNote, captioning and/or clipping screen shots, handwriting recognition, pressure sensitivity support in fresh paint and other drawing apps and lastly but not the least, web inking in Microsoft Edge.
If I were Microsoft, I'd have prioritized these before the reveal. And I'll be waiting to see how many of these 7 points Microsoft gets right in software now that they have finally finally made the hardware right.

Tempered glass ready - check (flat panel) removable battery - check (non removable battery is a pain in the **s after the battery got sucked) Windows Mobile - check Micro SD card ready - check Hopefully the camera will have fast focusing, infrared assisted or whatever.  I could care less about the design 

Bezel! Pass.