Will the long rumored Microsoft Surface Phone finally be announced soon? It would seem like it, according to subtle hints provided by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
The possibility of a Surface Phone announcement comes about a week after Microsoft unveiled the Surface Laptop and Windows 10 S. Are there really more Surface devices on their way?
Nadella Hints At Upcoming Surface Phone
In an interview that covered a wide range of topics, including immigration policies and data security, Nadella made a bold statement regarding Microsoft's plans for mobile phones.
"I'm sure we'll make more phones," the Microsoft CEO said, "but they will not look like phones that are there today."
Windows 10, as it currently appears on mobile phones, features a sleeker minimalist interface compared to those of Apple's iOS and Google's Android. The Continuum feature also allows the devices to work as mini PCs, functioning as a phone in the day and then docked at night to create a traditional PC experience with a monitor and keyboard.
However, the current Windows 10 Mobile, launched back in 2015 alongside the Lumia 950, is relatively ancient compared to the regularly updated iOS and Android. A refresh on the mobile operating system, along with a new flagship device in the form of the Surface Phone, is well overdue.
Last week, Microsoft revealed that it will be holding a Surface event in Shanghai on May 23. The general speculation is that Microsoft will unveil the rumored Surface Pro 5 at the event, partly because the Surface Pro 4 was showed in the city back in 2015. The possibility, however, could have already been shot down by Microsoft corporate VP for Surface Panos Panay, as he stated that there is no such thing as a Surface Pro 5.
While it is possible that the Surface Pro 5 will not carry the name and that the device will be the star of the upcoming event, speculations now point that Microsoft could finally reveal the Surface Phone at the event.
What Could The Surface Phone Possibly Offer?
The iOS and Android are very far advanced compared to Windows 10 Mobile, so if Microsoft is looking to succeed with an upcoming Surface Phone, it will have to come with a defining feature that will blow the competition out of the water.
In November 2016, Nadella confirmed that Microsoft was conducting innovative research with the goal of creating the "ultimate mobile device." A report from March claims that the launch of the Surface Phone will be delayed, but there is still a chance that the announcement will come early before the device is actually released.
There were speculations that the Surface Phone would be a cloud-based smartphone, but that is now considered unlikely due to the release of Windows 10 S. The new Windows 10 version was created as a challenger to Google's Chrome OS.
The Surface Phone could include augmented reality technology that Microsoft is currently developing for the HoloLens, which is designed as a standalone device. There are also many other possibilities that might differentiate the Surface Phone, including a unique construction flexible displays, and many more.
All of this is merely speculation though. Users who are looking forward to the Surface Phone will have no choice but to hope that Microsoft divulges details of the device on May 23.
