It's been awhile since Microsoft released a flagship Windows phones. While they were building Windows 10 and hyping it up to be a universal OS for all platforms including smartphones. Many fans and loyal supporters of Microsoft patiently waited for Microsoft to fulfill their promise of releasing these long awaited flagship phones. When they finally announced these phones, the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, it turns out that Microsoft went with an extremely outdated model of distribution by making the phones carrier exclusive with AT&T in the US. Even if the phones are bought unlocked, Microsoft intentionally left out a CDMA radio in these phones so that they wouldn't physically work on CDMA carriers like Verizon or Sprint.

Virtually every other major smartphone manufacturer's flagship phones are released universally on all carriers (eg. iPhones, Nexus, Galaxies). Carrier exclusivity in this day and age benefits no one. Not Microsoft, and especially not the customers who have been patiently waiting for a new phone. Now those customers on Verizon and Sprint who are probably off contract by now have practically no upgrade path for their phones. Switching carriers is not a practical solution for everyone as some might have no choice but to remain with Verizon or Sprint due to business or financial reasons. Additionally, forcing these customers to switch to Android or iOS is also not practical because many people might have a lot of money and other work invested in the Windows ecosystem.

Without any upgrade path to a newer Windows Phone, long time customers with much invested in the platform will be forced to remain with their older phones for much longer than intended with no idea when or if Microsoft will ever release another phone for their carriers. What Microsoft has done is very anti-consumer and pretty much every other major smartphone manufacturer has moved away from the carrier exclusive model.

Microsoft promised new flagship phones for their fans and supporters. We have patiently waited a long time for those too. Many have had to keep pushing back their contract renewals or phone upgrades. Many have phones that are already beginning to fail, yet they insist on waiting because Microsoft promised them new phones for them to upgrade to. Microsoft should fulfill that promise and either release CDMA variants of the Lumia 950 or release a universal version like every other major smartphone vendor does. Indeed Windows Phone users are in the minority, but Microsoft should appreciate that so many have been willing to stick around for this long to keep the Windows mobile ecosystem viable. If Microsoft truly wants to fulfill their vision of Windows everywhere on every device, then they need to start by making their ecosystem available to everyone.