Windows Phone 8 is the newest upgrade to the Windows Phone platform, but it won't last forever. Come July 8, 2013, the platform will no longer be supported by Microsoft, and by then Windows Phone 9 should be around.

Microsoft is committed to 18 months of support for all its mobile operating system flavors. Windows Phone 8 life expectancy has been given a boost since its lifecycle began in December, but it is expected to kick the bucket in July. A little mathematics proves the platform got nearly a month extension, so no one should complain.

On the matter of Windows Phone 7.8, this version goes the way of the Dodo bird come Sept. 19, 2014. It has a longer lifecycle compared to Windows Phone 8 due to first entering the scene officially on Feb. 9, 2013.

Note that when operating systems get updated has nothing to do with when the phones went on sale, it's related to when the operating lifecycle began.

In addition, Microsoft said: "Distribution of the updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the phone manufacturer from which you purchased your phone. Update availability will also vary by country, region, and hardware capabilities."

Furthermore, each new OS update will bring its own 18 months worth of support, so fret not if Windows Phone 8 devices are upgraded to Windows Phone 8.5 later in the year; that OS update is subjected to the same 18 months treatment.

Unlike all Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 7.8 handsets, all devices running Windows Phone 8 are slated to get all major updates straight up to Windows Phone 9 — surely something to be happy about.