Microsoft’s mobile platform has seen better days. Windows phones have lacked a proper flagship for some time now, and the company recently wrote off its acquisition of Nokia, effectively abandoning any hopes of becoming dominant in mobile.

But that doesn’t mean Microsoft is actually giving up in mobile, and the platform recently got a nice boost with Windows 10, which brought with it new abilities like Continuum, a feature that lets developers (like, say, Facebook) build a single Windows app that works across all devices, including phones. And Windows phones can even power big-screen experiences when connected to larger displays.

Those are potentially powerful weapons, and now Microsoft has the hardware to power them in the Lumia 950 and 950 XL. As the names imply, the two phones have similar specs, but the XL is bigger, with a 5.7-inch screen instead of a 5.2-incher.

Apart from size, the backside of the Microsoft Lumia 950 (shown) is subtly different from the Lumia 950 XL.

Apart from size, though, the physical design is virtually the same, with just a few subtle differences on the backside (a moved speaker here, a repositioned camera flash there). Although the two phones are similar to each other, they stand out from others with their button configuration: The two volume rockers are positioned above and below the larger power button, and there’s a fourth button away from the group, further down the right side. That’s the camera shutter.

The new Lumias stand apart from their competition with a dedicated camera button. Press it when the phone is in standby mode, and the camera launches nearly instantly -– about as fast as double-tapping the home button on Samsung’s new Galaxies, and certainly faster than the press-button-and-swipe-screen ritual needed on the iPhone.

Another thing I like about the camera: You get a strip of pro settings (shutter speed, white balance, ISO, etc.) across the top by default. This is one of the best things about Lumia cameras: They don’t insult you with a lack of settings. I’m no fan of feature creep, but going for the lowest common denominator every time isn’t great either.

Here's the Nokia Lumia 950 XL. Love that the camera gives you actual settings (ISO, etc.) by default. #Microsoft pic.twitter.com/Gkwfo4fWai — Pete Pachal (@petepachal) October 6, 2015

I was only able to use the phones for a few minutes, so I couldn’t judge the quality of the 20-megapixel photos or the 4K video, but there was at least one missing piece from the UI: When recording a video, I couldn’t capture stills without interrupting the recording, at least not in any obvious way. This should be table stakes in 2015.

Microsoft hit the bull’s-eye with at least two design elements, though: First, the overall construction of the phones is excellent. They’re solid, the matte plastic backs feel good in the hand, and aren’t nearly as slippery as some previous Lumias, and they’re mind-bogglingly lightweight. Sure, they may “feel” a bit cheaper than the metal-backed iPhones and Galaxies of the day, but it’s impressive how much power (the 950 XL has an octa-core chip, and they both have killer cameras) Microsoft has packed into such a feather-light design (just 5.3 ounces for the 950; 5.8 for the 950 XL).

The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL, with a 5.7-inch screen. Image: Lili Sams/Mashable

Second: The new Lumias sport the new USB-C connector. This isn’t a shock (even absent those leaks), but it’s a move in the right direction. Because of Windows 10, Microsoft had to wait until fall to unveil its new flagships, and it’s taking full advantage of the delay. With USB-C, it has more feet in the future than most other Android phone makers, including Samsung.

And that’s what these phones are about: Seeding things for the future. I don’t think Microsoft is under any illusions that it’s actually going to move a lot of these things. But for those that do buy them, they’ll provide a good experience. For those who want to drive a mobile Office experience or just want a killer camera, the Lumia 950 and 950 XL might even provide a superior one.

The camera on the Lumia 950 XL.

The camera on the Lumia 950. Image: Lili Sams/Mashable

Correction: This piece erroneously reported that the Lumia 950 had an octa- or quad-core processor. The Lumia 950 XL is an octa-core phone; the Lumia 950 is hecta-core.