Hardware Options to Move Up to Windows 10 Mobile

Last week Microsoft finally released Windows 10 Mobile (Build 10586.164) to the Current Branch for the mobile operating system.

After many delays over the last several months the build was made available for existing commercial retail handsets (Lumia 550, 650, 950, 950 XL, Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL, Xiaomi Mi4) which all shipped running a pre-release version of Windows 10. On release day just 18 other devices were added to the officially supported list of handsets for Windows 10 Mobile - much to the disappointment of many Windows Phone 8.1 users.

While many may choose to leave the platform because of the number of handsets that have been dropped, others may be looking for options to stick around and make the official move up to Windows 10 Mobile.

There are some decent hardware options currently available to officially get on Windows 10 - here are a few examples:

- Microsoft is offering the unlocked Lumia 950 this week at the Microsoft Store with a $100 discount off its normal list price of $549. This is the handset that I use as my daily driver and with build 10586.164 running on it over the last two weeks it has been a very stable and solid handset.

- The Lumia 640 can be picked up for less than $60 from Amazon as an unlocked Go phone package. I am still waiting on the official Windows 10 Mobile CB release for this device but I did have it on the Windows Insider releases and it did performed good. I expect a lot more stability once it is on Current Branch. P.S. This same handset can be picked up at Best Buy for $29.99 - that is an unreal deal. NOTE: Go Phones are for the AT&T network and may not work with other cellular carriers.

- The BLU Win HD LTE is an unlocked handset that is available for less than $90 from Amazon and is available in blue, white, gray and yellow. I have this handset as a test device and already have Windows 10 Mobile CB installed and this phone runs Windows 10 very well.

Of course, there are probably choices available through eBay and the wider Amazon Marketplace but each of those carry different risks than buying them directly from a retailer with return at your disposal.

Bottom line is that for many users there are very viable options to remain with Windows 10 Mobile however, all of those users who have handsets that did not get the official release of Windows 10 can still get the Current Branch build through the Windows Insider Program Slow/Preview Rings.

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.