Microsoft
Chancellor Philip Hammond talking to Cindy Rose, Microsoft UK CEO, during a visit to the Microsoft Campus, Thames Valley Park, Reading, to coincide with the announcement later of preliminary estimates for 2016Q4 GDP, Britain, January 26, 2017. Reuters/Andrew Matthews/Pool

Microsoft Surface Phone remains elusive despite reports claiming various release dates, some in 2017 and some in 2018. Much has been said about the device and its capabilities, all unconfirmed. It’s only Microsoft who has the answer. So, until then, fans will have to wait and probably focus on other devices that are about to hit the market soon. The Surface Phone is reportedly in a bit of a soup as Microsoft is struggling to get developer support like no other phone requires.

According to an earlier report by TechAdvisor, there have been various leaks, all suggesting that the device is in the works. While some had claimed that the phone will be released in the first quarter of 2017, that is almost out of question. Microsoft does not want the device to be just another smartphone packing top specs and claiming to be the best. In contrast, it won’t be only a smartphone but a device that will keep Windows users connected at all times. For that, Microsoft first needs to put an entire ecosystem in place.

Moreover, the Windows 10 Creators Update is also a few months away and it is only logical that such a device as the Microsoft Surface Phone will come with only the best platform. This is yet another reason why Microsoft is probably not talking about the device. In yet another report by PhoneArena, published in 2016, it was stated that Pegatron has already begun procuring production trials on Microsoft Surface Phone. It is also the company responsible for manufacturing the Surface Studio.

Originally it was thought that the Microsoft Surface Phone will look very much like Surface tablet with a squared metallic design. It may also have a screen similar to the Nokia Lumia XL. In another set of rumours, fans were asked to believe that the device will come in three variants, one for the consumer and the other two for business professionals and enterprises. There is a possibility that the Surface Phone will be more enterprise-oriented than previously thought. Certain unconfirmed reports speculated a 5.5-inch HD display with 1,440 x 2,560 pixels resolution.

Logically speaking, Microsoft could go with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor or a higher version, depending on the time it is released. RAM capacity may vary from 4-6GB or higher. Camera-wise, Microsoft has to pack a punch in order to stand out from Apple iPhone 7 Plus and Google Pixel XL. By the time the Microsoft Surface Phone is released, the Samsung Galaxy S8 will already be making news and so will the Apple iPhone 8 and Google Pixel 2.

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