Microsoft Lumia 940 & Lumia 940 XL Windows 10 phones UK release date, price and specification rumours

No longer just a desktop OS, Windows 10 will also run on phones and tablets - and the Microsoft Lumia 940 (codenamed Talkman) and 940 XL (codenamed Cityman) will be among the first Windows Phones to run Windows 10. Here we round up the Microsoft Lumia 940 & 940 XL UK release date, price and specs rumours. When are the Lumia 940 & 940 XL coming out? Also see: Best Windows Phones 2015 and Best smartphones 2015.

Microsoft Lumia 940 & 940 XL UK release date: When are the Lumia 940 & 940 XL coming out?

The fact that the Microsoft Lumia 940 and 940 XL run Windows 10 means we'll be waiting a little while yet for them to arrive. The Lumia 930 went on sale in the UK on 17 July 2014, so it'll be later this summer before the 940 and 940 XL make an appearance. 

It's probable that the Lumia 940 and 940 XL will arrive with Windows 10. On 21 January Microsoft held a Windows 10 event, during which it unveiled a Consumer Preview of the OS.

Then, in April at its BUILD conference, Microsoft said we should expect a staggered release for Windows 10, with PCs coming first this summer. 

Our best guess is a July/August launch for the Microsoft Lumia 940 and 940 XL, but we will update this story as more information becomes available. 

Microsoft Lumia 940 & 940 XL UK price: How much will the Lumia 940 & 940 XL cost?

Replacing the Nokia Lumia 930, the Microsoft Lumia 940 will likely have a similar price. The Lumia 930 originally had a £549, but now a year old you can grab one for £399 at Microsoft's store. Microsoft has been going big on value with its latest Lumia phones, and we can't imagine the Lumia 940 costing much more than £499, especially if it wants to push the uptake of Windows 10 on phones.

At the time of our Microsoft lumia 640 review - the other Microsoft phone for which we've seen an XL version - there was £90 separating the £129 Lumia 640 and £219 Lumia 640 XL (£50 if you consider that the 640's RRP is actually £169 at Microsoft's store, although you can buy it cheaper elsewhere). It's possible that we could see a similar price gap between Lumia 940 and 940 XL.

Of course, that's merely speculation, and we'll update this article as soon as more concrete information is available. 

Microsoft Lumia 940 & 940 XL specifications

• Windows Phone 10 

• 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor 

• Adreno 420 graphics 

• 3GB RAM 

• 32-, 64- or 128GB storage 

• 5in full-HD (1920x1080) screen with Gorilla Glass 4 (since rumoured to be a 5.2in screen) 

• WLAN, NFC, USB 3.0 

• 24Mp PureView camera with LED flash, 4K video recording at 60fps (since rumoured to be a 25Mp camera) 

• 5Mp front camera, 1080p video

• 3250mAh battery

• 137x71x8.9mm 

• 149g

• Windows Phone 10

• 5.7in Quad HD (2560x1440) screen

• 4GB RAM

• 32GB of storage (plus microSD support up to 128GB)

• 25Mp rear camera, 5Mp front camera

• 3950mAh battery

The only differences between the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL are the larger screen and battery, plus upgraded cameras on the XL version. With that in mind the 940 XL's rumoured specification doesn't sound massively unlikely (except perhaps the 4- rather than 3GB of RAM and Quad- rather than full-HD screen resolution):

Several concept images of the Lumia 940 and Lumia 940 XL have been spotted online, but remember that they are only concept images and not the real deal. 

But if you want to get Windows 10 in your Lumia phones

 Here's how to get Win 10 in your lumia handsets