“Talkman” looks set to be announced as the Lumia 950. The smaller device, it will have a 2560×1440 5.2-inch display, powered by a six-core Snapdragon 808 processor. Its battery will be a removable 3,000mAh unit.
The larger “Cityman” sports a 5.7-inch display at the same 2560×1440 resolution. It will have an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor and a larger but still removable 3,300mAh battery. Both phones will feature 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, expandable with a micro SD card.
Photo quality also looks to be top-notch, as with current flagship Windows Phones. Both devices have 20MP PureView cameras equipped with triple LED flashes. This may disappoint some because previous rumours had hinted at 25MP or more but 20MP is probably sufficient for most people.
These specifications would be at home on any flagship mobile device this year though. Microsoft has come up with some other features to set Lumia apart from the crowd with.
Cityman and Talkman will both have infrared iris scanners that will support Windows Hello. Owners will be able to unlock their phone by just picking it up and looking at it in a procedure that takes less than a second. Both devices also support wireless charging — although Talkman requires a special cover to be fitted — and include USB Type-C.
Microsoft is pitching the larger Cityman directly against Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 5 by giving it an optional Surface Pen accessory. The pen is reportedly the same as that used by the Surface Pro 3 so owners of the tablet may be able to use their existing pen with their phone too.
The Surface Pen can be clipped to a smart cover, another optional accessory. A circular window in the cover will keep incoming notifications visible without having to unlock the display.
The news comes from Windows Central’s Daniel Rubino who cites “multiple sources” as having confirmed the details. He writes that he has the “highest confidence” in its accuracy but warns that plans may still change.
The phones will be compatible with Continuum, the new Windows 10 feature that will allow a mouse, keyboard and display to be connected to the phone to turn it into something reminiscent of a full computer. Because the phone will be running Universal Windows apps, they will be able to intelligently resize themselves to look the same as on a desktop computer, giving Windows 10 Mobile owners a true computer in their pocket.
It appears the Lumia 950 XL (Cityman) will be Microsoft’s main Windows 10 flagship. Although Talkman is also a competent offering, the most attention is likely going to the larger device. Optionally partnered with a Surface Pen and Smart Cover, only time will tell if it will be enough to gain the market share that Microsoft needs. It looks set to make a big splash when it lands though: Rubino’s sources tell him that the phone is just 7-8mm thick, adorned with an entirely glass front and “sexy as hell.”
