Microsoft’s OEM dev site continues to be a rich vein of information to mine regarding the next minor version of Windows Phone 8.1, GDR1.
The latest to arrive is the Chassis Requirements for handsets running the OS. Most of the features remain unchanged from earlier versions of the OS, but there are a few surprises.
One of them is that Windows Phone now supports qHD resolution (960 x 540) scaled from 720P. The OS still does not support the newer super high resolutions however, being limited to Full HD (1080p)
Also interesting is that a proximity sensor is now a hard requirement, surprising given that the Nokia Lumia 630 and 530 does not feature one.
Also unfortunate is that there does not appear to be any support yet for the newer Snapdragon 810 processors.
Microsoft has dropped performance requirements for MicroSD cards in WP8.1, and can compress the OS partition to enable more free space in 4 GB handsets.
See the full list of specs after the break.
| Applications processor | Phones designed for Windows Phone 8.1: Qualcomm MSM8x10, MSM8x12, MSM8x26, MSM8926, MSM8x28, MSM8928, MSM8974 or MSM8974Pro Phones updateable to Windows Phone 8.1: Qualcomm MSM8260A, MSM8660A, MSM8960, MSM8230, MSM8630, MSM8930AA, MSM8930AB, MSM8227 or MSM8627 |
| RAM | LPDDR2 or LPDDR3 |
| Memory | Flash user partition e MMC |
| Power | Monitor gauge Required |
| Display Resolution | WVGA, FWVGA, WXGA, qHD, 720p (HD), or 1080p (FHD) |
| Bit depth | 16 bits of color per pixel minimum |
| Touch support | True multi-touch |
| Camera | Rear-facing camera Required
Forward-facing camera Optional |
| Audio | Primary microphone Required
Secondary microphone Optional Dynamic noise suppression Optional Loudspeaker Required Earpiece Required |
| Wireless | 2/2.5G cellular radio Required
3G/4G cellular radio Required Bluetooth Required Wi-Fi FM radio Optional NFC Optional A-GNSS Required |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Required
Magnetometer Optional Ambient light sensor Optional Proximity sensor Required Gyroscope Optional |
| Notifications | Vibration mechanism Required
NLED Optional |
| Controls | Start Required
Back Required Search Required Power Required Volume Up Required Volume Down Required Camera button Optional |
| Connectors | Micro-USB 2.0 or 3.0 Required
Headphone/headset jack Micro SD card slot Optional One SIM slot if the phone supports a single SIM card. Video out NA |
| In-box cables & accessories | USB sync cable Optional
Power adapter Optional Headset Optional |