Surface Phone reportedly launching in 2017 with three variants

Microsoft's Surface Phone may finally see the light of day, but it will not happen until early 2017.

Windows 10 Mobile handset sign

While there are still some doubts if Windows phones will someday be relevant in the mobile market, Microsoft continues pushing forward developing its mobile version of Windows 10. However, we have yet to hear from the company what’s the next hardware strategy to attract market share and relevance.

Rumors have surfaced many times in the past about Microsoft planning to use the “Surface” brand in phones, but now that we know that the Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL, and the Lumia 650 are the last handsets carrying the Lumia brand, it has become clear the fate of the Surface Phone.

We have always expected that if the brand worked for the tablet line, it should also work for mobile devices. However, up until now, we haven’t heard any solid piece of information on when, if ever, Microsoft decides to launch a “Surface Phone”. Today, according to a new Windows Central report, sources close to the matter say that any phone carrying the Surface brand made by Microsoft won’t be available until sometime in 2017.

Although, the information is not specific, it does strongly suggest that a Surface Phone cloud be launching in 2017. In addition, we could also be seeing up to three variants of the phone aiming different markets, including for business, consumer, and Prosumer / Enthusiast.

The company has already unveiled a number of new features coming to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, including an Action Center, improvements on pen support, Continuum, and Cortana, and a new Start menu experience. Features that will not only benefit the PC version of the operating system, but Windows 10 Mobile as well.

Microsoft is also planning to release the new update in two parts — one arriving later this summer with a second update rolling out in early 2017. This timing closely aligns with the time the company may also be ready to unveil new hardware, which means that we could be seeing a “Surface Phone” along with the introduction of the Surface Pro 5 and Surface Book 2.

Do you think that the Surface Phone will open the path into the mobile market for Microsoft? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.