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Home / News / Microsoft: Actually, not every current-gen Lumia will get Windows 10

Microsoft: Actually, not every current-gen Lumia will get Windows 10

Reversal of previous statements could leave some stuck with Windows Phone 8

Longtime Windows Phone users no doubt recall the disappointment felt when Microsoft opted not to make Windows Phone 8 available for last-gen handsets. Is the company really going to do it again with Windows 10?

That seems to be the case with at least some Lumia models running Windows Phone 8 or 8.1, which goes against previous comments on the matter from an official Microsoft source.

Back in November, when asked about the mobile upgrade from a user, Microsoft’s Lumia account on Twitter replied, “There will be Windows 10 upgrades for all Windows Phone 8 devices.” Another tweet said, “We plan to upgrade all Windows Phone 8 devices to Windows 10 in the future.”

But this week, in a post on the Lumia Conversations blog, Microsoft backtracked from that position, saying most phones (Lumia or otherwise) will be upgraded to Windows 10 – but not all.

Microsoft Lumia 535

“Like any upgrade to a new platform, not every phone will upgrade or support all possible Windows 10 features, and certain features and experiences will require more advanced future hardware,” says Chris Weber, corporate vice president of sales in the Mobile Devices group. “Our goal is for the majority of the Lumia phones running Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 to join the Windows ecosystem.”

If you bought a flagship at any point, or something lower-end more recently (like the Lumia 535 above), we have to think you’ll be fine. But those who bought devices from earlier in the Windows Phone 8 lifecycle, especially ones with less than 1GB RAM, must be feeling a bit nervous about this updated information.

Phones are expected to be added to the Windows 10 Technical Preview in February, so that may be our first indication of which Windows Phone 8 handsets are making the leap – and which are deemed incompatible with Microsoft’s new unified OS approach.

[Source: Lumia Conversations via Engadget]

READ MORE: 9 ways Windows 10 shakes up Microsoft’s smartphone experience

Profile image of Andrew Hayward Andrew Hayward Freelance Writer

About

Andrew writes features, news stories, reviews, and other pieces, often when the UK home team is off-duty or asleep. I'm based in Chicago with my lovely wife, amazing son, and silly cats, and my writing about games, gadgets, esports, apps, and plenty more has appeared in more than 75 publications since 2006.

Areas of expertise

Video games, gadgets, apps, smart home

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