Windows 10 Mobile not coming to Lumia 1020, 925, 920 and other older Windows phones

Windows 10 Mobile is finally available as a free upgrade to older Windows Phone 8.1 devices. After more than a year of testing the new OS through the Insider program, Microsoft finally began to roll it out to devices that didn’t originally came with Windows 10.

But as delighted as people are that the full version of Windows 10 Mobile is finally here, a lot of users are disappointed by Microsoft’s approach to delivering the update — especially after waiting for more than a year after more than a few false alarms. Now that the OS is finally here, users of certain Windows Phone 8.1 devices are shocked to find out that Windows 10 Mobile is not available on their phones.

As we reported last week, Windows Phone 8.1 devices with less than 1GB of RAM won’t be eligible for the upgrade. But it’s looking like some otherwise eligible phones didn’t get the upgrade either, models like the Lumia 1020, 925 and the 920. Understandably, people began to wonder if Microsoft had plans to change its policy and still deliver the update to these devices eventually as part of a presumed second wave of upgrades. One user asked Microsoft about just that on Twitter but unfortunately, received a negative answer.

@hpityu There are no plans for a second wave. ^JH

— Windows Insider (@windowsinsider) March 17, 2016

As Microsoft pointed out, the list of eligible phones is final and there won’t be any second wave of upgrades. This angered a lot of users who are now forced to either stick to Windows Phone 8.1 or switch their current device for a new one. 

Here’s why you won’t receive the Windows 10 Mobile upgrade

Although Microsoft didn’t provide any details behind its decision to not deliver the upgrade to select phones, there may be an explanation after all. The main purpose of the Insider program on both PC and mobile versions of Windows 10 is to obtain feedback about system performance. Microsoft is guided by that feedback when it comes to developing every aspect of its operating system — including its decision on which devices will eventually receive an upgrade.

So at first glance, it may look like the Lumia 1020 can run Windows 10 Mobile without any problems. But, a lot of users have reported various problems with the device while running Windows 10 Mobile Preview, forcing Microsoft to decide to not deliver the free upgrade to the Lumia 1020. We assume that’s the case with other phones, as well.

Although we don’t have an official word from Microsoft on this, when asked why the Lumia 1020 won’t get the upgrade, Gabe Aul confirmed the theory on Twitter:

@DrKumarSS@NorthFaceHiker Higher % of reports of performance issues, lower % of votes of likely to recommend

— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) March 17, 2016

So it’s obvious now: Microsoft would rather have Windows 10 Mobile only on devices able to run it smoothly rather than to force the upgrade to all devices and cause even more problems for users.

What do you think? Would you rather use Windows 10 Mobile on a device that isn’t able to run the OS smoothly and face various issues or switch to a new, Windows 10 Mobile-compatible phone? Let us know in the comment section below!