Microsoft Lumia 950 XL 5.7 inch 32 GB SIM Smartphone - White

If you replace the standard backplate with a premium 3rd party one like a Mozo leather backplate:[[ASIN:B016I314M0 Mozo Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Qi Wireless Charging Back Cover Case with NFC - Cognac/SilverThen you have a truly premium looking, high-end computer, camera and satnav in a single well priced package.If you're a social media butterfly, or looking for the very latest apps then Windows Mobile 10 probably isn't the platform for you. However if you aren't heavy users of the latest games or social media applications then Windows Mobile 10 is the best business focused platform out there, and the Lumia 950 XL is by far the best hardware out there to package the platform up.Camera is still better than you'll find on a Samsung or Apple flagship, and the continuum feature combined with built-in Office, SharePoint client, the excellent built-in Outlook for email and calendaring plus the Windows integration makes it a true powerhouse for any professional on the move.Regardless if my 950 XL is at home or next to my desk I'll get notified of any missed calls on my other Windows 10 devices (personal tablet, work laptop etc.). Not only that, but Windows PC's also report any text message that I get, which I can reply back to from within Windows 10 desktop - as well as sending new texts too. Also get informed of low battery and any appointments, alerts or meetings all get displayed on my PC's as well as my phone. The integration is superb!Only negatives with this phone are around the lack of some social and niche applications. For example, there is no SnapChat application, Tinder is done through a (very good) 3rd party / unofficial app. These aren't issues for me personally, but I wouldn't recommend a Windows Mobile 10 device to any teenager / early 20's demographic.Personally I think it's awesome. Refreshing change to the stagnant and boring iPhone and compared to the constant overheads of running Android (task killer, managing the battery life, watching out of malicious apps in the Play store etc.). The live tiles means there is no need for widgets, the notification centre works the same as Android / iOS and Cortana appears to be the best out of the three main "personal assistants".Top apps I use:- NAVIGON Europe Sat Nav (there is an excellent free on built into the OS too)- Amazon app- BBC iPlayer, iPlayer Radio, Netflix andAll4- Office suite- Outlook (email and calendar)- Xbox SmartGlass- Facebook- WhatsApp- Weather- Remote Desktop- Groove Music (standard price is cheaper than Spotify, which is also available)- Tado (smart thermostat app to manage my heating at home)- Skype for Business- Microsoft Health (use with my Microsoft Band)- Barclays Banking- uTorrent Remote- Dominos Pizza- eBay- National Rail Enquiries- PayPal- Plex- TrueCallerObviously there's more, but hopefully that gives a flavour of the "app gap". For me, I have everything I could possibly need. Saying that, I'm a white-collar professional in my 30's, so your millage may vary if you're in a different demographic to myself.The wireless charging and the fast charging works brilliantly, and I can't heap enough praise on Microsoft for using USB-C as the connector. Small thing, but it means I can plug the charging cable in EITHER way! No more turning on the bed room side-light to fiddle with the cable to get it in the right way. Small things - but makes a huge difference!The camera is the best in the market - when taking my dSLR out for the day I take my phone with me as it's better than a lot of the compact cameras you can buy today. Means for a quick shot I can use my 950 XL if my SLR is going to take too long to setup. The 4k video recording, with surround sound audio recording is equally great.Screen is stunning. Higher DPI than any iPhone, and the use of OLED screens makes the blacks so deep you feel you're getting sucked in! Also helps with battery life. The "Glance" feature is also one of those small things that makes a huge difference. With the screen locked and tuned off, the device will detect if I whip the phone out of my pocket, and thus will show the time, date and notification summary all without the screen being turned on. People are amazed when they see it for the first time! :)If the phone was £150 - £200 more I'd be more hesitant (although may still proceed with buying it), however the hardware is superb both with the spec's (and remember, Windows Mobile 10 requires a LOT less resources to run smoothly than Android) but also in the build quality. Feature set is very impressive, even if aimed more at white collar workers, and wrapping all of that greatness up into a < £425 price point makes is a no brainer to me.Unless you're <30 years old, or if you don't use any other Windows devices then I genuinely believe this is a no brainer. From the camera through to the Office suite and Windows integration this seems to be bargain at this price point.Have started a pilot in my company using the 950 (not the XL). Staff have been issued iPhones in the past. After 6 weeks, out of the 12 people we put onto the pilot, 9 of the pilot users have said they prefer the 950 over the iPhone. Says it all really!

I got mine just before Christmas. The first day was very disappointing (very erratic battery and problems with sd card) and two unexplained reboots but after the latest firmware update things have started to get much better. In order to get update I did a phone reset and took out my o2 sim. Previously I had iPhone 4 and 5 for years, then moved to lumia 1520 then lg4 (as I was experimenting with windows 10 preview on 1520). I accidentally broke the lg4 and decided to give the 950 xl a go.Home page and tiles is the main reason I like windows 10 mobile. In my opinion Ios 9 and android (marshmallow included) don’t look as good in comparison (I am only talking about the look of the home screen here, not functionalities). I also like the fact that the system is similar to the desktop version which I have been using since November 2015 (after using mac computers at home most of my life but getting too frustrated with iCloud and the apple ecosystem).Phone is not overly exciting to look at but I prefer it to the lg4. Iphone 6s looks more "premium" but since you have to buy a rubber case to protect it... I am thinking of getting a leather mozo back soon. A removable battery and SD card as well as being able to change the back of the phone are trade offs to the premium feel i can live with. I love the fact that the phone is so "small" and light despite having a big screen. The small bezel helps.Camera is exceptionally good. Better than the 1520 and even better than the lg4 which I particularly liked. I am particularly impressed with low light photos. Zooming in low light could be better. I also like the way you can choose how much flash you want in a picture after you have taken it and rich capture is better than the hdr option on the lg4. I am not a photographer but I like taking pictures and the camera is the most important factor when deciding on a phone. I didn't think I would be using living pictures but I am and it's fun (sometimes).Screen is bright (especially outside on a bright day and with automatic brightness switched on) and at least as good as the lg4. I like the fact that there are some basic colour calibration options too such as temperature and so on.After firmware update Sd card works well. Battery life is now much better, possibly a bit better than the lg4. Fast charging is...well, fast. It normally goes down 2% at night (10% before firmware update) if I am not charging it and I can get through one day without problems. I listen to music a lot and read a lot of news and emails, take around 10 pics per day and play Sudoku on my way to and from work.Windows hello, the infrared log in system, works well and it is quite reliable. I wear glasses. You do need to hold the phone quite close to your eyes though (around 40cm) – it works great, maybe even better, in total darkness.I haven't received my display dock yet but connecting to my tv via continuum was quick and it worked well. Casting to the tv works well too. Bluetooth works very well and thanks to ‘gadgets’ you can assign particular behaviours, such as starting a particular app, every time a new bluetooth device is connected.I use groove music which i prefer to google play. Groove has improved a lot in the last few months. Outlook and calendar work great too and so do facebook and twitter. Only app I think is not up to standard yet is Maps.As for the apps gap, well, that doesn't really bother me. I haven't found an app that is not available on windows 10 that I really miss. With the exception, possibly, of citymapper.This is possibly the best phone I have ever owned and i would recommend it. However, windows 10 mobile still has a few, minor bugs which will hopefully be sorted out soon.