14 DAY TRIAL // The Lumia 550 is already available for purchase in many countries in Europe and Asia, but Microsoft hasn't officially introduced the smartphone in North America.
However, at least one major retailer in the United States is now selling the Lumia 550. B&H now offers the unlocked version of the affordable device for just $150 outright.
Before asking yourself whether or not this Lumia 550 will be compatible with any US carriers, you should know that B&H claims this is the US version of the smartphone.
If that proves to be correct, then your Lumia 550 should be compatible with LTE networks on AT&T and T-Mobile. Obviously, it does not support Verizon and Sprint, but Microsoft may announce a CDMA variant next year.
Customers interested in getting the Lumia 550 from B&H should know that the retailer promises to ship the handset the next day you placed your order.
The good news is that, if you place your order by 4 PM EST, then your Lumia 550 will ship on the same day, so you will get it one day earlier. Obviously, shipping is not free, so you will have to pay a certain amount depending on your location.
The most affordable Windows 10 smartphone
The Lumia 550 is Microsoft's cheapest Windows 10 Mobile smartphone. The handset is expected to go on sale in more countries beginning next year, though Microsoft might skip an official release in North America.
The entry-level smartphone sports a decent 4.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display that supports HD (720p) resolution. Microsoft Lumia 550 comes equipped with a 1.1GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor, an Adreno 304 graphics processing unit, and 1GB of RAM.
Also, it packs only 8GB of internal memory that can be expanded up to 200GB via microSD card slot. There's also a 5-megapixel camera on the back that features autofocus, LED flash, and HD (720p) video recording.
The Lumia 550 has a secondary 2-megapixel camera on the front and is powered by a 2,100 mAh battery that should provide users with up to 28 days of standby time or up to 16 hours of talk time.