It looks like Microsoft might be planning to release an all-new Surface Phone next year
After recent hardware successes, rumours suggest Microsoft could be looking to sweep away the old Nokia legacy and produce a flagship Surface phone
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The team behind the impressive-looking new Microsoft Surface and Surface Book (Microsoft's first ever laptop) are about to turn their talents to the mobile market, with a new flagship 'Surface Phone' apparently scheduled for release in the second half of 2016.
Citing sources inside Microsoft, Windows Central reports that Panos Panay, the creator of the Surface and Microsoft's head of devices, has been given the green light to develop a high-end Microsoft smartphone.
Microsoft has a hand in the mobile market already - they created the Windows Phone and Windows Mobile operating systems, which proved moderately popular but still fell well behind iOS and Android. However, the devices themselves usually came from other companies, like Nokia.
Microsoft started releasing phones under their own name after they bought Nokia's mobile business last year, but this new phone should be a fresh start - an entirely Microsoft-made phone, inside and out, without any of the old Nokia trappings.
Microsoft took a huge hit after the Nokia acquisition, and ended up sacking 7,800 staff, leading to speculation that it was axing all plans to make its own smartphone, However, it looks like the idea is back on the table.
What form this phone might take is still unclear - but the recent releases of Microsoft's new Surface devices suggest that Panay's team could produce something very impressive.
In the meantime, the company has to continue trying to sell its Microsoft-branded Lumia 950, 550 and 650 models.
But those in the market for a Microsoft phone might be tempted to wait until next year to get the all-new device.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments