Windows 10 Mobile release date pushed back to early 2016 for Windows Phone 8.1 handsets

Microsoft misses December deadline and delays Windows 10 Mobile update for Windows Phone 8.1 users until early 2016.

Windows 10 Mobile handset sign

Windows 10 Mobile is currently available through the Windows Insider Program. The first devices are already shipping with the new operating system and for build 10586 the second cumulative update has been delivered. All indicators for a soon release of the operating system. Unfortunately, Microsoft has missed the December deadline, and you’ll have to wait a little longer to get the operating system as an upgrade for your Windows Phone 8.x handset.

According to a new statement, Microsoft has made on the 17th of December, existing Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 8.1 users will have to wait until early 2016 to receive the final update.

Here is what the official Microsoft spokesman has said about the update:

“This November we introduced Windows 10 to phones including brand new features such as Continuum and Universal Windows Apps with the introduction of the Lumia 950 and 950 XL. The Windows 10 Mobile upgrade will begin rolling out early next year to select existing Windows 8 and 8.1 phones.”

Back in October, Microsoft officials said that current Windows Phone users will be able to update to Windows 10 Mobile in December 2015. Now it’s said to be sometime in January 2016, which could also suggest that the company may be planning to release its mobile operating system during the roll out of the next Windows 10 “Redstone” build for Insiders time frame.

It’s also unclear which handsets running Windows Phone 8.x will support the new mobile operating system and which features will be available for older phones. For example, Continuum for phones is an amazing feature in Windows 10 Mobile for multitasking, but it won’t be available on every phone, only on handsets with modern hardware, such as on the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL.

After the update disaster between Windows Phone 7.5 and Windows Phone 8, Microsoft promised to bring Windows 10 Mobile to all devices currently running Windows Phone 8.1. Until today, this list is all we have:

“While we’re working hard to make Windows 10 available for other Lumia devices, the following is a first list of Lumia smartphones that will receive a free upgrade when available: Lumia 430, Lumia 435, Lumia 532, Lumia 535, Lumia 540, Lumia 635 (1GB RAM), Lumia 640, Lumia 640 XL, Lumia 735, Lumia 830, and Lumia 930. Features may vary by device. 8GB of internal memory required. “

While many users will have to keep waiting a little longer, it’s probably good that Microsoft is taking its time to deliver the operating system, which hopefully will help to ship a fast, fluent, and stable experience.

Source ZDNet

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.