What To Know
- But for those seeking a powerful, business-focused device with a unique Windows experience, the HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL emerged as compelling contenders.
- The Elite x3’s extra RAM provides a slight advantage in multitasking and demanding applications, but the Lumia 950 XL still offers a smooth and enjoyable user experience.
- The camera is an integral part of any modern smartphone, and both the HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL deliver impressive photographic capabilities.
The world of smartphones is a diverse landscape, with myriad choices catering to every need and preference. But for those seeking a powerful, business-focused device with a unique Windows experience, the HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL emerged as compelling contenders. This blog post delves into a head-to-head comparison of these two Windows Phone titans, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and ultimately, which one reigns supreme.
Design and Build: A Symphony of Premium Materials
Both the HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL boast premium designs, reflecting their high-end aspirations. The Elite x3 adopts a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with a solid metal frame and a large, 5.96-inch display. Its design is both elegant and practical, offering a comfortable grip despite its size.
On the other hand, the Lumia 950 XL embraces a more contemporary design language, with a polycarbonate unibody construction that feels smooth and durable. Its 5.7-inch display is slightly smaller than the Elite x3’s, making it more manageable for one-handed use.
In terms of build quality, both phones excel. The Elite x3’s metal frame feels robust and reassuring, while the Lumia 950 XL’s polycarbonate shell offers a comfortable, grippy feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two boils down to personal preference.
Display: A Visual Feast for Windows Enthusiasts
Both devices offer excellent display experiences, showcasing the vibrant colors and sharp details that Windows Phone is known for. The Elite x3 sports a larger 5.96-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 494 ppi. This translates to stunning visuals with deep blacks and vibrant colors.
The Lumia 950 XL, while featuring a smaller 5.7-inch AMOLED display, boasts the same resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, achieving an impressive pixel density of 518 ppi. This means both devices deliver a crisp and detailed viewing experience, making them ideal for consuming multimedia content and navigating the Windows interface.
In terms of display quality, both phones are practically neck-and-neck. The Elite x3’s larger display offers a more immersive experience, while the Lumia 950 XL’s slightly higher pixel density provides a sharper image.
Performance: Unleashing the Power of Windows 10 Mobile
Both the HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 processor, a powerful chip that delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications. However, the Elite x3 benefits from 4GB of RAM, while the Lumia 950 XL has 3GB. This extra RAM on the Elite x3 allows it to handle multitasking and demanding apps with greater ease.
In terms of gaming performance, both phones are capable of running modern games smoothly, thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 810 processor and the Adreno 430 GPU. However, the Elite x3’s extra RAM might give it a slight edge in demanding games, allowing for smoother frame rates and less stuttering.
Overall, both phones deliver exceptional performance. The Elite x3’s extra RAM provides a slight advantage in multitasking and demanding applications, but the Lumia 950 XL still offers a smooth and enjoyable user experience.
Camera: Capturing Memories with Windows Phone Flair
The camera is an integral part of any modern smartphone, and both the HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL deliver impressive photographic capabilities. The Elite x3 boasts a 16MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), capturing detailed images with vibrant colors and excellent low-light performance. Its 8MP front camera is also capable of taking high-quality selfies.
The Lumia 950 XL also features a 20MP rear camera with OIS, delivering even more detail and sharpness in its images. Its 5MP front camera is also capable of taking excellent selfies, offering a wider field of view than the Elite x3’s.
In terms of camera quality, the Lumia 950 XL edges out the Elite x3. Its higher resolution sensor and excellent optics deliver a slight edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. However, the Elite x3 still captures impressive photos, and its front camera offers a wider field of view for group selfies.
Battery Life: Staying Connected for Longer
Both the HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL offer decent battery life, allowing you to stay connected throughout the day. The Elite x3 packs a 4150mAh battery, which provides enough juice for heavy use, lasting for a full day with moderate usage.
On the other hand, the Lumia 950 XL features a 3340mAh battery, which can also last for a full day with moderate usage. However, heavy users might need to charge it more frequently.
Both phones offer adequate battery life for most users. The Elite x3’s larger battery provides a slight advantage, but the Lumia 950 XL’s battery is still capable of powering the device for a full day of use.
Software: The Windows 10 Mobile Experience
Both the HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL run Windows 10 Mobile, offering a unique and streamlined user experience. Windows 10 Mobile is known for its intuitive interface, seamless integration with Microsoft services, and robust security features.
The Elite x3, being a business-oriented device, comes with additional features like Continuum, which allows you to use your phone as a desktop computer by connecting it to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This feature enhances productivity and makes the Elite x3 a compelling option for professionals.
The Lumia 950 XL, while not specifically targeted at businesses, also offers the full Windows 10 Mobile experience, including Continuum support.
In terms of software, both phones offer the same excellent Windows 10 Mobile experience. The Elite x3’s additional business-focused features like Continuum give it an edge for professionals, but the Lumia 950 XL is still a powerful and versatile device for everyday use.
Price and Availability: Finding the Right Value
The HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL are both premium devices, reflecting their high-end features and performance. The Elite x3 was launched at a higher price point than the Lumia 950 XL, making it a more expensive option. However, both devices have since seen price reductions, making them more accessible to a wider range of users.
The choice between the two ultimately comes down to your budget and priorities. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line Windows Phone with a focus on business features, the Elite x3 is a compelling option. However, if you’re looking for a powerful and versatile Windows Phone at a more affordable price, the Lumia 950 XL is a great choice.
The Final Verdict: A Tale of Two Windows Phone Champions
Choosing between the HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL is a matter of personal preference and priorities. Both devices offer exceptional performance, premium designs, and the unique Windows 10 Mobile experience.
The Elite x3 stands out with its larger display, extra RAM, and business-focused features like Continuum. This makes it an ideal choice for professionals who need a powerful device that can seamlessly transition between mobile and desktop environments.
The Lumia 950 XL, despite its slightly smaller display and less RAM, delivers an equally compelling experience. Its excellent camera, high-quality display, and overall performance make it a great choice for users who want a powerful and versatile Windows Phone at a more affordable price.
Ultimately, both the HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950 XL are excellent Windows Phone devices that offer a unique and compelling experience. The choice between the two boils down to your individual needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which phone has a better camera?
A: The Lumia 950 XL has a slightly better camera than the Elite x3, thanks to its higher resolution sensor and excellent optics.
Q: Which phone is better for business use?
A: The HP Elite x3 is better suited for business use, thanks to its Continuum feature, which allows you to use your phone as a desktop computer.
Q: Which phone is more affordable?
A: The Lumia 950 XL is generally more affordable than the HP Elite x3.
Q: Which phone has a larger display?
A: The HP Elite x3 has a larger 5.96-inch display compared to the Lumia 950 XL’s 5.7-inch display.
Q: Which phone offers a better battery life?
A: The HP Elite x3 offers a slightly longer battery life due to its larger 4150mAh battery compared to the Lumia 950 XL’s 3340mAh battery.
