10% of Windows Phone 7 updates fail

The latest Windows Phone 7 update has failed on one in ten handsets, Microsoft has admitted, with subsequent serious system failures reported in some devices.

An update on the Windows Phone blog insisted that many of the failed installs are due to users having a poor internet connection or insufficient storage space.

However, it seems there is a genuine issue with some Samsung devices which, according to a BBC report, has resulted in devices crashing or being permanently bricked.

"We've identified a technical issue with the Windows Phone update process that impacts a small number of Samsung phones," explained Microsoft's Michael Stroh. "We're working to correct the problem as quickly as possible."

Stroh added that Microsoft has "briefly suspended" updates to Samsung handsets until the issue is sorted out.

"Has the update process gone perfectly? No - but few large-scale software updates ever do, and the engineering team here was prepared," he said.

"Of course, when it's your phone that's having a problem - or you're the one waiting - it's still aggravating. That's why we're committed to learning from our first update and improving the process. We know we have work to do, and we won't be satisfied until you are."

If you're one of those affected, don't worry - you're not missing out on much.

"This first update for Windows Phone is designed to improve the software update process itself," Stroh explained. "So while it might not sound exciting, it's still important because it's paving the way for all future goodie-filled updates to your phone, such as copy and paste or improved Marketplace search."