Microsoft Lumia 650 release delayed until mid-February, software issues cited

The Windows 10-powered Lumia 650 was supposed to debut on the 1st of February. Microsoft has announced that the smartphone's release date has been pushed back to "sometime February", citing software issues.

According to Windows Central, Microsoft was supposed to have a low-key unveiling of the Lumia 650 through their official blog but insiders report that the release has been pushed farther back mid or late February. Apparently, Microsoft has found some last minute bugs in the software/firmware that need to be addressed.

VentureBeat has learned that the rescheduling was shared by the company's partners through email. The email contains a lot of "buzzy language" but the gist remains Microsoft is not comfortable releasing the Lumia just yet. Although the situation may change at any minute, it is clear that Microsoft does not want to be rushed and they will plan a release when the software is deemed ready.

The bright side of this delay means that current Lumia owners will recieve the very latest build of Windows 10 Mobile, with the February service update being simultaneously pushed to the Lumia 950 and 950 XL.

On a sad note, the Inquirer reports that this may be the final launch of the Lumia iteration from Microsoft this year. The Redmond, Washington company is now focusing their efforts solely developing for their long-rumored Surface Phone.

For those loyal users who weather through the software issues and the delayed release on mid-February, they can look forward to a rumored 8MP with flash for the Lumia's rear camera and a 5MP front-facing camera. The Lumia may also be blessed with an internal storage of 8GB, which is expandable via MicroSD. While its 5-inch 720X1280 screen is a downgrade from the QHD screens of Microsoft's pricier phones, it does come powered with either a Snapdragon 210 or 212 processor.