Nokia document reveals Windows Phone 7.8 upgrade details

Windows Phone 7.8 upgrade features leaked
The new homescreen tiles will be making their way to 7.8

Microsoft is yet to fully announce which features will make it into the Windows Phone 7.8 upgrade, but a document on Nokia's website sheds some light on it.

Windows Phone 8 will be launched in October, but current handsets running Windows Phone 7 won't be eligible for the upgrade, instead having to settle for the less feature-packed 7.8 update.

We've already learned that Windows Phone 7.8 will sport the new homescreen tiles, with variable sizes allowing more to fit on the display, and now a document which is on Nokia's website reveals greater detail.

New camera functions

As the document is from the Finnish manufacturer the 7.8 upgrade for devices made by other firms could differ slightly, but we'd expect it to stay the same across the board for the most part.

According to the document, Windows Phone 7 users can expect to get an improved camera application, which will offer Smart Group Shot, action, panorama and self-timer options.

Microsoft will also bring Wi-Fi tethering to Windows Phone 7.8, allowing you to share your handset's internet connection with other devices, plus the ability to flip the phone over to silence an incoming call, message tone or alarm.

It looks like current Windows Phone users will miss out of the likes of proper multi-tasking, NFC capabilities, over-the-air updates, multi-core processor support and IE 10 – all of which appear in Windows Phone 8.

The Windows Phone 8 release date is set for October 27, the same as Microsoft's main Windows 8 operating system, so official details on Windows Phone 7.8 should be with us soon.

From Nokia

TOPICS
John McCann
Former Global Managing Editor

TechRadar's former Global Managing Editor, John has been a technology journalist for more than a decade, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He’s interviewed CEOs from some of the world’s biggest tech firms, visited their HQs, and appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC, and BBC Radio 4.

Latest in Nokia Phones
Composite of three new Nokia phones
3 new retro-inspired Nokia phones will have you rocking out like it’s the 2000s
Nokia G42 in So Purple color
Nokia G42 combines repairability and 5G connectivity in a handsome purple package
Nokia 5710 Xpress Audio with earbuds pictured on the screen
Nokia’s new phone is like a 3310 with earbuds built into the back – and I love it
A Nokia G60 5G from the front and back
A trio of cheap phones from Nokia have landed, with eco-friendly credentials
The Nokia G11 from the back, in someone's hand
Nokia G11 review
A Nokia G21 from the front, showing the home screen
Nokia G21 review
Latest in News
EA Sports F1 25 promotional image featuring drivers Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman.
F1 25 has been officially announced, with this year's entry marking a return for Braking Point and a 'significant overhaul' for My Team mode
Garmin clippd integration
Garmin's golf watches just got a big software integration upgrade to help you improve your game
Robert Downey Jr reveals himself as Doctor Doom to a delighted crowd at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
Marvel is currently making a major announcement about Avengers: Doomsday's cast on YouTube, and I think it's going to be a long-winded reveal
Samsung QN90F on yellow background
Samsung announces US prices for its 2025 mini-LED TV lineup, and it’s good and bad news
Nintendo Switch Lite
Forget the Nintendo Switch 2, the original Switch is getting one last hurrah in a surprise Nintendo Direct tomorrow
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge colors seemingly revealed in new video, and there’s another sign of an imminent launch