Microsoft Lumia 950, 950 XL release date, specs rumors: Windows 10 Threshold 1 with additional fixes

Closeup of a Lumia 900, with a lime colored theme on light backgroundWikimedia Commons/Flickr/Vernon Chan

Rumor has it that the first ever Windows 10 handsets, namely the Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL, will be released with Threshold 2 but this may not be the case, according to WinBeta. The website claims that the handsets will be slotted in with the Threshold 1 build of the OS instead. 

According to Windows expert Mary Jo Foley, Threshold 2, which comes with a slew of improvements on the overall performance and stability of the handsets, will be released in November. By that time, the Lumia 950 and 950 XL should have been official for a good one month, if rumors about their release are spot on. 

The pair of flagships is expected to be introduced by Microsoft in an event in October. If this is accurate, they might not don Threshold 2. Instead, according to WinBeta, they will be released with Threshold 1 on board. 

Sources told the aforementioned publication that this build will come with the model number 10240. The build number is notably the same that the Windows 10 RTM goes by. But it is expected to come with additional patches; thus, an increased delta number (for example, 10240.xxxx).  

Apparently, Microsoft will integrate several bug fixes in Threshold 1 so that it could make sure that the build will work well on the handsets as they await the completion and official rollout of Threshold 2, which is much more stable. 

Press invitation for Microsoft's October 6 event.

The Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL are reportedly being prepped for the announced special event on Oct. 6 where the Redmond-based company promises to talk about Windows 10 devices. The smartphones were heavily leaked and rumored in the past months, initially being referred to as Cityman and Talkman. 

The handsets are said to come with a 20 MP rear shooter and a 5 MP front camera. The Lumia 950 is expected to come with a 5.2-inch display along with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor. The XL version will have a 5.7-inch screen and will get the 810 chipset.