14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has already confirmed Windows 10 Mobile won't arrive on Windows Phone 8.1 smartphones this year, but has not unveiled any timeframes for the release of the update.
Even though Microsoft stated in the past that it would skip carriers when it comes to delivering major software updates, these carriers still need to test the updates before they are pushed to smartphones.
Vodafone Australia has recently confirmed it will begin testing Windows 10 Mobile for five Lumia smartphones as soon as Microsoft sends it the final build of the operating system.
If you happen to own a Windows Phone 8.1 handset that was purchased through Vodafone Australia's official retail channels, then you should know the carrier hasn't started to test the highly anticipated Windows 10 Mobile update yet.
According to the carrier's software update roadmap, Microsoft is expected to send the final Windows 10 Mobile build for five Lumia smartphones in mid-January 2016.
The following smartphones should receive the update as soon as the testing is over and Microsoft decides to start the rollout: Lumia 630, Lumia 640, Lumia 640 XL, Lumia 730 and Lumia 930.
Unlocked Lumia phones might receive the update slightly earlier
Even if Vodafone Australia starts testing the software in mid-January, it's highly unlikely that the update will be released until early February, at least for the carrier-branded Lumia phones mentioned earlier.
Windows 10 Mobile is not completely finished, but Microsoft decided to include this version of the operating system on its more recent smartphones: Lumia 950 XL, Lumia 950 and Lumia 550.
The delay of the update for next year suggests Microsoft still has a lot of issues to address even though the new operating system seems to be feature-complete at the moment.
Although Vodafone Australia won't test Windows 10 Mobile until mid-January, it doesn't necessarily mean that unlocked Lumia smartphones might not receive the update a bit earlier.
