Microsoft's Cityman and Talkman flagship Lumia phones and what you need to know

Over the concluding few weeks, rumors of Microsoft'southward upcoming flagship Windows Phones take been circulating the internet. Patently many of these rumors contain one-half-truths or are just plain false. The referenced phones are codenamed Cityman and Talkman, and it is fourth dimension to gear up the record straight on their specifications and features.

The start authentic reporting of Cityman and Talkman go back to April 17 when Web log Jack published exact information virtually the two devices.

Since then, I have been able to fill in the gaps and volition complete most of the picture. To be clear, the information independent below is confirmed with multiple sources and I have the highest confidence in its accurateness. However, similar all leaks, some of this should be treated with caution as plans tin can change.

Specifications

Below are the main hardware attributes of both phones with some added details.

Talkman (Lumia 950)

Matte White or blackness polycarbonate torso
five.2 inch WQHD (1440x2560) OLED display
Snapdragon 808, 64-bit Hexa cadre
Iris scanner (infrared) for Windows Hello
3GB of RAM
32GB of internal storage with a microSD bill of fare slot
20MP PureView rear camera
5MP Wide-angle front facing photographic camera
3000 mAh removable battery
Qi wireless charging with flip cover
USB Type-C

Cityman (Lumia 950 XL)

Matte White or black polycarbonate trunk
five.vii inch WQHD (1440x2560) OLED display
Snapdragon 810, 64-flake Octa core
Iris scanner (infrared) for Windows Hello
3GB of RAM
32GB of internal storage with a microSD carte du jour slot
20MP PureView rear camera with triple LED flash
1mm silver ring inside the circumference of the black camera pod
Aluminum side buttons
5MP Wide-angle forepart facing camera
3300 mAh removable bombardment
Qi wireless charging integrated
USB Type-C

Naming – Lumia 940 or Lumia 950?

Although both phones go by the internal codename Talkman and Cityman these apparently won't be their marketing names. Many take referred to these devices every bit the Lumia 940 and Lumia 940 XL, however, Microsoft is considering jumping a model number and calling them the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 Xl.

I take been unable to confirm only yet if that this naming scheme is finalized, but considering Microsoft skipped Windows 9 to get to Windows x, there is a precedent for such a motion. It would also imply a greater intermission from the x40 lineup, which began a year agone.

The name change will be decided by September.

Lumia 950 XL cover and pen

Accessories – Pen and Smart Cover

The Lumia Cityman aka Lumia 940/950 Xl will optionally have a Surface Pen and smart cover. These will non exist sold with the device simply as extras. The Surface Pen looks exactly the aforementioned as the electric current silver Surface pen available for the Surface Pro 3.

The smart cover is very reminiscent of the one that came with the ASUS ZenFone 2. It has a large circular meet-through area for calls and notifications to be viewed and the pen tin can clip to it. The case comes in black, silvery/white or dark-brown.

The photo to a higher place is a recreation of what this case and pen will expect similar with a Windows 10 Mobile device.

Iris scanner for Windows Hello

Both phones will have an iris scanner to unlock the devices. This hardware is part of the Windows How-do-you-do characteristic in Windows 10, and the experience should effect in less than 1 second to unlock the device.

However, we have heard, and I have said earlier that this feature may not work when the devices are kickoff released. Instead, both phones volition need a software update that may come up a month or two after release.

Continuum and 'Munchkin'

Another optional accessory is codenamed Munchkin equally nosotros revealed a few weeks ago. It is a docking station with USB and brandish ports that can connect to these phones via USB Type-C. This accessory will let the phone use the Continuum feature to projection onto a computer display with mouse and keyboard support.

Reported cost for this accessory is $99.

Interesting side trivia: Continuum for the telephone was codenamed Wizard-tinman, obviously it and Munchkin are references to the Wizard of Oz.

Mockup of Lumia 950 XL

Hands-on experience

The above render fabricated past Windows Central for Cityman (Lumia 950 Forty) is a combination of middle-witness reports, sketches, and internal Microsoft documentation.

Although I accept personally seen internal documentation about both these phones, including images and specifications, I have besides spoken to sources who have seen and examined Cityman aka Lumia 940/950 Twoscore in person. Hither are their thoughts:

Very thin (7-8mm) and light
Massive, removable bombardment that is the thinnest they have always seen
"Sexy as hell."
Looks like a combination of the Verizon Lumia 928 and Lumia 830 (photographic camera housing)
Completely square handset
The front glass covers the entire front, non-curved display
Book upward and down keys separated past power button
Dedicated camera push button

Release Dates

Nosotros continue to believe that both phones will be presented to the public at the IFA briefing in Berlin in early September. Bodily sales of the phones volition likely begin in the Oct/November time-frame. Withal, Talkman (the not-Forty version) will probable go along sale first with the Forty variant coming a few weeks afterwards.

Update:: Windows Central at present believes these devices will be announced either in late September or in October at a larger, Microsoft-only outcome. The release to market timeframe of belatedly October or early on November remains, however.

As I take previously revealed, both phones should incorporate universal GSM radios letting Microsoft directly sell these devices unlocked to consumers including in the US.

In terms of which carriers in the U.s.a. will sell which phones, information technology is not entirely articulate. We accept reports suggesting AT&T will sell but Talkman aka Lumia 940/950. Verizon may exist one of those carrier relationships that are catastrophe with Microsoft due to it not being beneficial co-ordinate to our sources (see Bloomberg 7/8/2015 for original, non-specific reference).

Honjo, Saana, and Guilin – Cancelled

On June 20th, Evan Blass aka Evleaks tweeted near numerous other Lumias in the works past Microsoft. Although details were scarce, their codenames were revealed as Guilin, Honjo, Saana, and Saimaa.

The codenames are accurate and were planned devices just not soon later on three out of four of those were cancelled by Microsoft, specifically Honjo, Saana, and Guilin. The cutting was likely related to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's proclamation almost their restructuring and refocus on Windows Phone hardware.

Earlier today, WMPoweruser reported on declared specifications for the Lumia 850, 750 and 550. Although I cannot verify their authenticity of those specs, these are the now cancelled Honjo, Saana, and Guilin phones.

However, this leaves the Lumia device codenamed Saimaa nevertheless planned. Although exact specifications are not yet known for this device by us, it is a Lumia 6xx successor and part of the continued upkeep device lineup. Release for this phone is non yet finalized although it is considered an FY16 project.

Update: Post-obit this story, Windows Central learned that Saana has been un-cancelled likely due to a shift in strategy. The phone is not expected until early 2022, however:

Microsoft 'Saana' Lumia un-cancelled and an old Lumia 830 prototype leaks

Analysis

People who have seen the Cityman/950 Twoscore phone have had nil but positive things to say and came away impressed. Specifically, this Lumia does not counterbalance much at all and is very compact considering it is packing a 5.7-inch brandish. In other words, this phone continues to buck the traditional Lumia stereotype of being cumbersome and bulky.

Both phones are likely to ditch 'Microsoft' lettered branding on the back and instead apply a chrome Windows flag akin to the Surface 3. Microsoft will still be written on the front end of the telephone above the display and beneath the earpiece.

In terms of hardware and design, both phones are meant to show off and highlight everything in Windows 10. They do non veer too far from current Lumia designs, merely they practise improve upon many of the shortcomings of previous releases. For instance, the inclusion of 32 GB of internal storage and a micro SD carte is something many users accept asked for in the past. As well, with the inclusion of a Surface pen for the larger, 40 version.

At the very least, both phones should temper concerns that Microsoft cannot make impressive Lumia Windows Phones. Of grade, similar all releases, the devil is in the user experience and that remains to be seen.