X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Microsoft Lumia 950 unleashes Windows 10 Mobile (pictures)

What's new in Microsoft's latest flagship phone? A refreshed software look, a strong camera and a new feature that aims to use your phone in place of a laptop. Take our tour.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
microsoft-lumia-950-2071.jpg
1 of 26 James Martin/CNET

The Microsoft Lumia 950 is the first phone with Windows 10 software on board.

microsoft-lumia-950-2693.jpg
2 of 26 James Martin/CNET

Which means you can use it to do this...

microsoft-lumia-950-2670.jpg
3 of 26 James Martin/CNET

...or this! Microsoft calls this Continuum, and it means that you can connect the phone to a monitor or TV screen to see your phone contents on a larger screen -- like a photo slideshow or a Word document you're working on.

microsoft-lumia-950-2690.jpg
4 of 26 James Martin/CNET

So long as you have a compatible dongle, or an aftermarket dock that uses a bunch of cables.

microsoft-lumia-950-2691.jpg
5 of 26 James Martin/CNET

Three of them for the dock, minimum, including an HDMI cable and two USB-C cables (one connecting the phone to the dock, and another going from the dock to a power outlet).

microsoft-lumia-950-2684.jpg
6 of 26 James Martin/CNET

Here's a closer look at the type of HDMI dongle and the Microsoft Display Dock, which you'll have to buy separately if you want to use Continuum.

microsoft-lumia-950-2676.jpg
7 of 26 James Martin/CNET

The dock has a bunch of connector ports on the back, for wired keyboards and mice, and the HDMI cable.

microsoft-lumia-950-2677.jpg
8 of 26 James Martin/CNET

A closer look at the USB-C port where you connect the Lumia 950 phone.

microsoft-lumia-950-2688.jpg
9 of 26 James Martin/CNET

You can also add wired or wireless keyboards to make typing (and composing longer documents) a lot easier than scrolling and typing on the phone to see your work on a monitor.

microsoft-lumia-950-2700.jpg
10 of 26 James Martin/CNET

A mini tutorial gets you started with setup (but doesn't go far enough).

microsoft-lumia-950-2697.jpg
11 of 26 James Martin/CNET

Here's the screen you get after connecting the phone to a TV screen using the Display Dock.

microsoft-lumia-950-2699.jpg
12 of 26 James Martin/CNET

Tap the Start button to view and interact with your Start screen.

microsoft-lumia-950-2672.jpg
13 of 26 James Martin/CNET

Documents and images fill the display. You can scroll, tap and navigate with your digits.

microsoft-lumia-950-2667.jpg
14 of 26 James Martin/CNET

Here's the phone connected to the Display Dock.

microsoft-lumia-950-2666.jpg
15 of 26 James Martin/CNET

The whole setup, including a wireless keyboard and mouse.

microsoft-lumia-950-2665.jpg
16 of 26 James Martin/CNET

And here it is again with me. I used this setup to write much of the Lumia 950 review.

microsoft-lumia-950-2100.jpg
17 of 26 James Martin/CNET

The Lumia 950 has other tricks, too, like biometric iris scanning to log you into the phone.

waffles-2100.jpg
18 of 26 James Martin/CNET

After it recognizes you, it winks!

microsoft-lumia-950-2084.jpg
19 of 26 James Martin/CNET

The 20-megapixel camera utilizes a triple flash, which is meant to bring more natural color.

microsoft-lumia-950-2078.jpg
20 of 26 James Martin/CNET

Here it is, all lit up.

microsoft-lumia-950-2087.jpg
21 of 26 James Martin/CNET

The dedicated camera button takes shots and also triggers the camera to open when you double-click it.

microsoft-lumia-950-2122.jpg
22 of 26 James Martin/CNET

The Lumia 950 has a newfangled USB-C type port for its connector. This is the wave of the future, but you may need to buy extra cables.

microsoft-lumia-950-2104.jpg
23 of 26 James Martin/CNET

Although it's made of plastic and not more aspirational metal, you can remove the backing and battery.

microsoft-lumia-950-2110.jpg
24 of 26 James Martin/CNET

A microSD card slot stacks above the SIM card tray.

microsoft-lumia-950-2072.jpg
25 of 26 James Martin/CNET

Microsoft also spiffied up the look of the software inside. Just take a look at the new app store.

microsoft-lumia-950-2074.jpg
26 of 26 James Martin/CNET

There are pros and cons to just about every part of this phone (and all phones). Check them out in my full Microsoft Lumia 950 review.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos