What version of Windows Phone is this Lumia 1020 running?

[MicrosoftNorthstar]

Recently I bought an unlocked AT&T Lumia 1020 in the Amazon Marketplace (aka the "Used" category), and today it was delivered. I turned it on expecting it to be running some outdated version like Windows Phone 8.0, and much to my surprise and bewilderment, it's running a version of Windows Phone that I've never seen before. Namely, the settings page is very Windows 10ish in that it categorizes settings, and there are little things here and there that I have never seen in Cyan or Denim. I went to the Extras page and it says that it's running Cyan, but I can do stuff like app folders in the Start Screen which are only part of Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1, aka Denim. Here are the screenshots. Feel free to chime in if you have any idea or guess as to what it is I have.

 

[MicrosoftNorthstar]

Oh snap! When I went to shut down the phone right now, this screen popped up:

 

[pankaj981]

Looks like a gdr2 build. What's the OS version?

 

[MicrosoftNorthstar]

 

[pankaj981]

Interesting, that definitely looks like a GDR2 build. May be it was used by a Microsoft test device and was accidently not wiped off before selling.

 

[Marcos Buccella]

Yeah, that's an update 2 build. Strange...

 

[farhanaxiq]

Wow, its a wp 8.1 gdr2

 

[Zulfigar]

You are today's lucky winner of finding a phone with a beta OS on it. Not the first, but it's definitely interesting to see what you find, with your found device.

Don't use the Recovery Tool and roll it back, enjoy what you have until the next OS roll out.

 

[audi360]

Wow .I want one of that . Are you sure you aren't messing with us?

 

[milkyway]

wow, nice one! please share with us details if you further find new things

 

[MicrosoftNorthstar]

Actually I think I'm going to return the phone to the Amazon vendor. The USB connection with a PC goes in and out, and since I transfer a lot of music and pictures, this is unacceptable to me. The USB problems might even be caused by the fact that it has this GDR2 beta or whatever.

I did try to see if tethering was unlocked and that might have swayed me to keep it, but it's still locked down unless I have a qualifying plan. Still makes me wonder why Microsoft would be testing GDR2 on the 1020, if indeed it was them who put it...

 

[b0blight]

Its running 8.1 Update 2. Same as the one found on the 640/640XL (WinCentral covered it awhile back. Link: Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 | Windows Central). Strange tho. Why and where would the 1020 get the Update from.

 

[TechFreak1]

Sounds like a test device or test build of Update 2 flashed to the phone, I'm sure there is someone here willing to pay for the phone or do a trade . However it is entirely up to you what you do with your phone.

 

[pankaj981]

Before you send it back, can you do a video walkthrough of the features?

 

[Aziz Abdurachman]

Yeah 8.10.15xxx is obviously GDR2, but where did they get it? Even microsoft did not yet release it to Developer Preview. But it's look like early version of Update 2 since it doesn't mention it in About.

And before return, did it can run Lumia Camera 5?
Please give more sneak peak!

 

[Carlos002]

Yeah I doubt about first two images, kinda look like Windows 10 but I'd you say so!

 

[MicrosoftNorthstar]

I've been using the phone as my primary device for about 4-5 days. I've managed to find a few more GDR2 gems, which you'll see screenshotted below:


First, as you can see, it does not include Lumia Camera 5.0, as that app is only reserved for the 830, 930/Icon, and 1520.


Then I found this gem of a find, which undeniably confirms that this phone is a developer/test phone.


And finally, the setting through which you can toggle Skype or a third-party video calling app.

As for the performance of the phone, generally there is no noticeable lag, except for the Music app which drove me crazy. Also the camera is still laggy as hell.

I still plan on returning the phone due to the USB issue, and I'll be boxing it up to ship soon. Unfortunately before I return it I must restore it back to a production build of Windows Phone OS. I hate to be a party pooper, but it's something that must be done. I'm not at liberty to discuss exactly why I must do it, but it's the right thing to do. It was good while it lasted, but I'm also anxious to have a 1020 with a working USB to PC connection once again.

 

[Win-phone-user]

Hello
Before you return your Nokia 1020 8.1 update gdr2 I will glad if you will share information about what is "behind" the "privacy tab". Is it for instance possibly to manage which part of the phone each app has access to?
Regards

 

[xandros9]

Someone here might be willing to buy this unique phone actually.

But wow! That's interesting.