Microsoft Delays Windows 10 Upgrade For Mobile To Early 2016

Windows Phone users will have to once again wait a little more to get Windows 10 on their mobile as Microsoft announced that it has delayed its software release until early 2016. The tech company previously promised that it will begin to roll out the latest operating system to existing Windows 8 and 8.1 phones in December, but now that isn’t the case. 

When Microsoft first announced Windows 10, the company said that it would first arrive for PC users in July, and will eventually become available for mobile users in the fall. The release of the operating system on PCs made a lot of sense simply because of its much larger user base compared to its mobile counterpart. It was also expected that the rollout would be for select devices running Windows 8 and 8.1, and not everyone will be able to get it on day one especially if carriers are involved in providing the over-the-air update. Eventually, the company announced in October that the Windows 10 upgrade for Phones will start rolling out in December which of course delighted users. 

On Dec. 17 however, a Microsoft spokesperson released a statement declaring that Windows 10 for mobile has been delayed for a 2016 release. “The Windows 10 mobile upgrade will begin rolling out next year to select existing Windows 8 and 8.1 phones,” the statement read. What’s probably going to frustrate users is that the company didn’t give out an exact date. 

Usually, an “early 2016” phrase implies that it could be released in the first quarter of the year; meaning January, February or March. If it has been delayed for a March release, it would have been already eight months since the operating system’s release for the PC. Another problem with the recent announcement is that Microsoft still has not given out a list of devices that will first receive the upgrade. The company once stated that it was their ambition to deliver the upgrade to “majority of Lumia smartphones” which is still vague at best. 

As of now, the only ways to experience Windows 10 on mobile is to buy the new Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL or to be part of Microsoft’s Insiders Programme. Unfortunately, the broad number of users will have no choice but to continue using their Windows 8 or 8.1 phones and wait a lot longer than what they expected.