Windows 10 Mobile Insider build 15204 only available to short list of supported phones

Kip Kniskern

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Last week, we told you that Microsoft was culling the list of supported Windows 10 Mobile devices, leaving behind some phone models that have been able to receive Windows Insider builds up until now. Those phones, officially any not on this list:

  • HP Elite x3
  • Microsoft Lumia 550
  • Microsoft Lumia 640/640XL
  • Microsoft Lumia 650
  • Microsoft Lumia 950/950 XL
  • Alcatel IDOL 4S
  • Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL
  • SoftBank 503LV
  • VAIO Phone Biz
  • MouseComputer MADOSMA Q601
  • Trinity NuAns NEO

will not only not be able to upgrade to the Creators Update, but also will be blocked from receiving new Windows Insider builds, beginning with build 15204, released today.

Dona Sarkar explains, in a post on the Windows Insider blog:

We recognize that many Insiders will be disappointed to see their device is no longer supported. We looked at feedback from our Windows Insiders and realized that we were not providing the best possible experience for our customers on many older devices. That helped us determine which devices we support for the Windows 10 Creators Update. We are continually listening to your feedback to provide the best experience for ALL of our customers.

At some point, users of these unsupported devices were a victim of their own success, so to speak. The testing provided by the Windows Insider program showed that these older phones were not performing as well, most likely with a higher rate of bugs and crashes, and so they have been culled from the list.

Users of these older phones will be able to keep using the latest build available to them (15063.138), but these phones won’t be updated or supported from here on out.

Tough news for some, but to be honest it’s understandable.