Microsoft took over Nokia’s smartphone business after foreseeing success and profits, but the company wasn’t really able to sell its Windows Phone devices well. The Microsoft-branded Lumia phones failed to make a mark in the smartphone market that is dominated by Android and supplemented by iOS.
But the Redmond company did succeed in the tablet market with the Surface Pro series, and now Microsoft wants to extend its Surface portfolio as its primary product portfolio. After the utter failure of the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, the tech giant is ready to give another go to Windows smartphones with the much-awaited Surface Phone. As reported by iTechPost, Microsoft has neither clearly confirmed or denied the existence of the Microsoft Surface Phone. But the existence of the device has been more-or-less confirmed by various hints, speculations, and rumors.
As per the latest rumors, the Surface Phone will be sold in three different variants with different RAM and storage capacities. The first variant will get 3GB (or 4GB) RAM and 32GB internal storage, clearly targeting the casual users. The second version will boast of 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, so it will be preferred by smartphone enthusiasts. The top-end variant will be targeted towards professionals and businesses as it will feature a whopping 8GB of RAM and 512GB internal storage.
According to a report by Express, the Microsoft Surface smartphone will be coming with a 5.7-inch 2K display (probably OLED). There might be a 20MP rear camera with Carl Zeiss lens. It is being said that the phone will be powered by Snapdragon 830, which will be the next flagship chipset from Qualcomm. Now the report suggests that the device could launch at the upcoming 26th October event, but considering that the SD 830 chip isn’t out yet, we don’t think the launch is possible right now. Of course, if Microsoft uses Kaby Lake CPUs inside the phone, the launch could happen this year itself.
A Yibada report adds that the Surface Phone could come with USB Type-C and an 8MP front camera. The phone is expected to run on Windows 10 Redstone 2 that is expected in spring next year. It is being expected that the device will support Continuum, a feature that connects the smartphone to a keyboard, mouse, and a display via a dock, thus turning the phone into a desktop PC. The report also says that Microsoft may embed a fingerprint sensor right into the display of the Surface Phone, thus giving it an ultrasonic fingerprint detector. The company already has a patent called ‘Fingerprint Detection with Transparent Cover’ registered to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
TheNewsRecorder reports that the Surface Phone could get a price tag starting at $699 and going as high as $1099. That looks like a very sweet spot for a high-end flagship smartphone. But the game is not going to be easy for the Surface Phone, as it will have to compete against the mighty Galaxy S series and the iPhone. The Surface Phone release date rumors suggest that the phone could launch in the first quarter of 2017.
Microsoft may reveal some information about the Surface smartphone at its upcoming 26th October event. So stay tuned and we’ll keep you updated.