It was expected the next generation of Microsoft Surface Phone would be announced this year. Unfortunately, all speculations about Microsoft Surface Phone 2016 seem to be fail because the phone is likely to be release on 2017, just around the spring. It is expected that we will see the high-end smartphones on the launching.
Change of Strategy
The delay in the release date of the phone is inevitable because Microsoft changed the strategy of their smartphone development. Microsoft decided to drift away from consumer sector and move to enterprise sector. The information about the alteration came from Kevin Gallo, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft.
Of course, economy plays a big part in this decision. At first, Microsoft tried to enter consumer sector as the bigger market. Unfortunately, the smartphones did not do well and create big loss to the company. Since affordable smartphones fail in the market, the strategy changes into business class as en effort to revive the company from losses.
From logical view, the decision sounds reasonable. Consumer sector is very crowded market with extra intense competition among big names that already there long before Microsoft enter smartphone market. If they stay in the market, it would be hard to keep up the big gap of experience and loyal fans. Even while, Microsoft is technology giant with high sources of talents and funds. Making high-end innovation is their nature.
Nevertheless, high-end market is not quiet, either. For sure, Microsoft is not the only technology giant. Big names from all over the world are competing hard to take the lead with incredible and somehow far-fetched innovation. From ultra-thin body to wireless charging, the atmosphere is filled with tons of innovation rumors. Make it interesting to follow it and see whether the new strategy will work well for Microsoft.
Three Superior Variants
From rumors spreading around the corners, Microsoft is preparing three superior variants for the next Surface Phone. The base variant would be targeting regular consumers, while the other variants will target business-specific and enthusiasts. This is seems to be another reason of the release delay because they require more time to work on three models.
Official confirmation has not been made by Microsoft about their devices. However, we could get many hints from insiders and many reports around. It looks as if Microsoft will make big improvement in each variant.
The reports claimed that Microsoft would use different processors for different variants. The base variant will use Qualcomm Snapdragon 830 SoC while the other variant is likely to be use Intel Atom X3. There also RAM options, with the choices are 3GB and 8 GB of RAM. A 128GB integrated storage will be added to the devices along with Continuum support.
HANOVER, GERMANY – MARCH 05: Visitors try out Windows 8 Surface tablet computers at the Microsoft stand at the 2013 CeBIT technology trade fair on March 5, 2013 in Hanover, Germany. CeBIT will be open March 5-9. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
The phones are likely big enough as smartphone with 5.5-inch AMOLED display. As superior devices, it is very understandable that Microsoft will not using plastic casing but aluminum and magnesium casing instead. In the eyes, it will look luxurious while in the hand, it will feel strong. To ensure the comfort of the hand when using smartphone for heavy work, they will use liquid cooling technology.
Camera will become one of many improvements. This is something they need to work on hard because picture result always becomes strong point in valuing smartphone. To create excellent pictures, Microsoft is reported chose 20-MP Carl Zeiss for the rear camera of Surface Phone.
Several features are to be expected from the upcoming Microsoft Surface Phone. USB Type-C port is the first, followed by several extra features, including fingerprint reader, Surface Pen functionality, proximity sensors, compass, gyro, accelerometer, and barometer. It looks like we could be a good friend with it.
Discontinue of Surface 3 Tablet
While preparing for breakthrough smartphones, different news came from tablet division. While Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book showed good result in the market, Surface 3 is struggling. Last year, the company even needs to slash the price to generate Surface 3 sales. As the result, they decided to discontinue the tablet at the end of this year or to be precise they will cease the manufacturing by the end of December 2016.
There is no official information whether Microsoft will develop and release successor of Surface 3. They seem to be contemplating to do it. If we see the market, it might be possible that Microsoft will abandon the whole line of the product. Especially that the concentration on high end market development is not only for smartphone products but for all product lines of Microsoft. Even Windows desktop and OEMs will go with high end and category innovation.
We need to wait whether the company will launch successor for Surface 3 or not. The important thing is whether it smartphones or tablets, costumers need to prepare themselves to pay more to get new generation of Microsoft products. High-end products are surely cost a lot. We will wait whether the cost is worth paying.
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