One of the biggest events of the year for Microsoft is just around the corner. On October 6th we’ll get our first official looks at a wide range of new hardware including the Surface Pro 4, two Lumia flagships, the Microsoft Band 2, and potentially more. Since Apple and Google have already had their major device keynotes this year, Microsoft is left with the opportunity to blow them out of the water, underwhelm, or something in between. Because we’ll have official specifications and details for all the devices next week, we’ll probably have a few more head to head battles in the future but this poll is to gauge fan interest in the different lines of devices. You can also check out our article on what to expect from the event.
The Surface Pro 4 is clouded in mystery. The Surface team keeps a tight lid on details so we don’t have many strong rumors about this device. There are reports that there will be a 12” and 14” model but there are some debates on other aspects. Some are predicting an incremental update while others are expecting more. The Surface Pro 4 is the follow up to the first Surface device to universally receive positive acclaim. The Surface Pro 3 came in a larger form factor that seems to have stuck and also is faster and an all-around better device than previous generations of Surfaces. Even if the Surface Pro 4 receives a modest upgrade, it will be popular amongst consumers.
The Lumia 950 XL is following up another solid act in the Lumia 1520. The Lumia 950 XL is smaller than the 1520 by 0.3” but is the largest new Lumia we’ve seen. There have been quite a bit of rumors and leaks about the Lumia 950 XL including image renders, image leaks, specifications, feature lists, and more. You can check out the full rumored specs of the Lumia 950 XL and its smaller sibling the Lumia 950 here but in short, it reportedly packs top of the line specs including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor. It also is rumored to have stylus support which would differentiate it from the rest of the Lumia line, even the outstanding Lumia 1520. Both the Lumia 950 XL and the Lumia 950 are the first phones to support Microsoft’s Continuum, allowing you to run your phone on a monitor with a keyboard and mouse for a desktop-like experience while simultaneously performing other tasks on your phone, and are the first phones to reportedly support Windows Hello.
The Lumia 950 is in many ways similar to the Lumia 950 XL sans the XL. It does reportedly have a less powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor compared to its bigger sibling but otherwise it still has good specs. According to reports it does not have stylus support but does fully support Continuum and Windows Hello. For many, the choice between a Lumia 950 XL and a Lumia 950 will come down to size. Some people prefer a 5.2” device such as the Lumia 950 while others prefer a phablet experience.
The Microsoft Band 2 is the successor to the surprising Microsoft device from last year, the Microsoft Band. The original Microsoft Band was announced essentially overnight and was already in stores. Microsoft had trouble keeping them on the shelves but that was in part due to small supplies that didn’t meet the unexpected demand. The Microsoft Band is a fitness band/smart watch that blends the functionality of other popular fitness devices while also allowing users to text, use Cortana, and receive notifications. Microsoft packed a very large collection of features into the device including heart rate monitoring, galvanic skin sensors, sleep tracking, workout tracking, and standard fitness band features such as step counting. They’ve continued to support the Microsoft Band by adding functionality over its life cycle such as golf swing recording and more. The Microsoft Band 2 is also a bit mysterious, though we have seen images of it. It appears that Microsoft has made the Microsoft Band 2 a slimmer, sleeker version of the first generation of the device, though there could be some surprises in store.
Ultimately all of these devices will receive quite a bit of hype and excitement. October 6th is shaping up to be a massive event and there are likely going to be even more announcents than these devices. Eyes and ears will be perked to see the release date of Windows 10 Mobile as well as any other major news. At WinBeta next week we’ll have all of your instant news and analysis during the event as well as comprehensive reviews, coverage, and more following so stay tuned, bookmark us, sign up for our RSS feeds, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
