Microsoft launching Lumia 840 with Windows 8.1 GDR2 on board

Microsoft has been putting off launching a new Lumia smartphone until Windows 10 for Phones goes live so that they can launch “the whole package”, all at once. But it looks like the Redmond company is tired of being patient as information has leaked about an upcoming smartphone that might be launched ahead of the Windows 10 for Phones release date, the Lumia 840. According to rumors and company insiders, the Lumia 840 release date is set for early Summer, maybe sometime in June and it will not include Windows 10 for Phones, running instead on Windows 8.1 GDR2, which is almost as good.

The Lumia 840 will be the first Microsoft flagship of the year, and rumors say it will be followed by the Lumia 940, the first smartphone to be launched with Windows 10. Although the first smartphone with Windows 10 might be a long wait (the Lumia 940 release date is said to be September), it is nice that Microsoft is trying to calm fans down with the Lumia 840 in the meantime. Since these are still just rumors, I would advise taking them with a grain of salt until Microsoft actually confirms the Lumia 840 release date.

Since we’re curious, we did a little digging, but couldn’t come up with too much about the new flagship. And yes, the Lumia 840 will be more or less a flagship, as it will come bearing decent specs to say the least. According to various rumors and insider information, the Lumia 840 will improve considerably compared to its predecessor, the Lumia 830. The Lumia 840 specs will reportedly include a 5.2 inch 1080p display, which is already bigger and brighter than what we god on the Lumia 830.

When it comes to performance, the Lumia 840 will be more of a mid-ranger, but rumors are that it will feature a Snapdragon 805 CPU, which should be flagship material enough in my mind. It will be backed by 2 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage and will feature a 13 MP camera on the rear complete with optical image stabilization and a 5 MP camera on  the front for extra sass. Sounds pretty neat, right? It would definitely convince Lumia fans that the Lumia 840 might be worth it, as there was a lot of criticism directed at the Lumia 830 when it was launched in September. What we’re more excited about is the Lumia 940, though, but there’s little chance of that leaking too early, but we’ll keep an eye out.