Microsoft: Windows Phone (8.1) update coming this spring with on-screen buttons, dual SIM support

Microsoft is hosting a press event at Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona as we type this. Joe Belfiore, the company’s manager for Windows Phone, announced that the next OS update - presumably Windows Phone 8.1 - would officially arrive this spring on both existing, and new devices.

The next iteration of Windows Phone will no longer require three buttons on the front of devices, instead coming with support for on-screen buttons. Another major addition is support for dual SIM capabilities - this means that the rumored dual SIM Nokia Lumia 635 / 630 could be launched shortly after WP 8.1 is released. Microsoft worked with Qualcomm for a seamless dual SIM integration with Windows Phone. There will also be new Qualcomm chips supported, including the Snapdragon 400 and Snapdragon 200, both being perfect for ultra-cheap smartphones.

The new version of Windows Phone will allow us to store apps on MicroSD cards - great news for devices with low memory.

The rumored Cortana voice assistant was not mentioned by Joe Belfiore, but that doesn't mean it won't come to WP soon.

An exact release date for the Windows Phone 8.1 update was not revealed, but "this spring" should mean in March, April, or May the latest. We’ll bring more on this as soon as we have new details.

24 Comments

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posted on 23 Feb 2014, 07:08 3

1. lucid.brat (unregistered)

Great news and microsoft it really getting diffcult to wait so plz do bring it till April

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 08:26 5

8. akki20892 (Posts: 3902; Member since: 04 Feb 2013)

I hope they release 8.1 update in April.

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 07:14 2

2. Arthurhkt (Posts: 581; Member since: 19 Apr 2012)

Hope can get this for my Lumia 925 by this April

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 15:19

17. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

You can with the developers preview program... But, it will void your warranty.

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 18:55

22. Arthurhkt (Posts: 581; Member since: 19 Apr 2012)

Any different compare to consumer version?

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 20:18

23. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

As always, of course.... It's not final software... I'm not sure if it's gonna have Cortana on it, but hopefully it does...

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 07:15 3

3. tech2 (Posts: 3487; Member since: 26 Oct 2012)

Wow....Almost a year later than Windows 8.1 !

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 07:21

4. chocowii (Posts: 470; Member since: 30 Jan 2014)

A year past S3 was released. Im just saying

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 15:19

18. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

Who cares......

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 08:00

6. pookiewood (Posts: 631; Member since: 05 Mar 2012)

That was always the plan.

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 07:43 2

5. ArtSim98 (Posts: 3535; Member since: 21 Dec 2012)

CANADA IS WINNING YAAAAY (not off topic at all :)

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 08:06 2

7. Martin_Cooper (Posts: 1599; Member since: 30 Jul 2013)

Great news for WP users but its so sad that MS is so slow, all this features should have been on WP7 not WP8.1..

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 08:31 2

9. akki20892 (Posts: 3902; Member since: 04 Feb 2013)

I agree. And Nokia shouldn't been sold their device and service.

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 09:14

11. haseebzahid (Posts: 1853; Member since: 22 Feb 2012)

if u still not understand this was the Plan buy nokia then update WP all they can othervise Nokia would not have needed to be sold thats typical American style

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 08:36 5

10. SleepingOz (unregistered)

Better late than never, I guess.
Those who couldn't wait have already make the switch, anyway.

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 09:41 1

13. 7thspaceman (Posts: 1580; Member since: 14 Feb 2011)

I agree with you but you must realize Microsoft has to update their smart phones in such a way that does not infringe on other smartphone manufacturer's PATENTS. I think this is why Microsoft has been slow to get things on Windows smart phones and tablets. Now days Microsoft stays away from Patent and copyright fights. remember MS did not get into a fight over Metro instead it now calls the tile interface "Modern UI"

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 09:16 3

12. nzagorec (Posts: 16; Member since: 27 Jan 2014)

When they release Lumia with specs like Icon and camera like 1020 on international market, I might consider making a switch from Android to WP. Plus, they have to make Google create apps for them.

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 09:47

14. 7thspaceman (Posts: 1580; Member since: 14 Feb 2011)

I agree that Google and Microsoft should bury the Hatchet especially over the you tube app. I think Google deliberately killed the Microsoft made Utube app to keep it off of windows 8.1 tablets

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 10:55

15. Sire3008 (Posts: 87; Member since: 26 Sep 2013)

My Lumia 920 stuck during black update. Always at Downloading update 0% even when I have a very very strong wifi connection. Any solution?

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 15:22

19. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

http://forums.wpcentral.com/

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 14:05

16. saiki4116 (Posts: 404; Member since: 31 Mar 2011)

Camera button optional..So they have officially given the right for OEM to screw users

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 15:24

20. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

Just look at it like this.... Those manufactures weren't going to make any WP devices, let alone one with a Camera button.... Look at the big picture!

posted on 24 Feb 2014, 00:39

24. elitewolverine (Posts: 5192; Member since: 28 Oct 2013)

Like how droid does currently? Is that what the masses wanted from Windows? The ability to be 'flexible'.

The reason being is a dedicated camera button costs $$$$, not tons but enough to make people look away, especially when your current line of phones have 0.

MS is aiming at those manufactures to simply make the exact same phone, but pop a WP rom in it instead of a droid rom.

posted on 23 Feb 2014, 17:44

21. kaikuheadhunterz (Posts: 1157; Member since: 18 Jul 2013)

So is the support for nHD displays still true? Because nHD display paired with a Snapdragon 200 chip would make for a fast entry-level smartphone