Although tech giant Microsoft celebrated its release of the new Windows 10 platform by coming out with two new Lumia phones to showcase the new environment, hardcore fans are expecting the Redmond-based company to be coming out with a brand of smartphones running Windows 10 that Microsoft can call its own.
While the new Lumia 950 and 950 XL stand as the current Windows 10 Mobile flagships, the brand itself has a distinct "Nokia" name recall, as the Lumia lineup was originally a part of the Finland-based company.
It seems that the hardcore fans have it correct, as reports surfaced that Microsoft is planning to launch its own Surface Phone next year.
According to Windows Central, fresh from the success of the new Surface Pro and Surface Book lineups, Panos Panay and his team are hard at work expanding the iteration an all-new Surface Phone. Citing sources that have inside knowledge of Microsoft's plans, the industry insider reported that the Surface Phone concept has already been given a go signal, with an expected target date of the latter part of 2016.
While more concrete details have not ben revealed, Windows Central also mentioned that the assembly for the flagship itself is being kept tightly under wraps, with the hardware being made right on Microsoft's campus. However, while the tech specs, design, and features have yet to be confirmed (or speculated), observers have apparently already spotted a phone prototype made by Microsoft.
A Surface Phone concept has already been expected by fans since the announcement of Windows 10. There were even reports about a possible all-metal Microsoft phone to be launched May next year. However, it seems that the project was an extension of the Lumia and the concept itself was already cancelled.
If rumors about the Surface Phone are proven true, Microsoft will have come up with an all-homegrown smartphone that will greatly expand the company's Surface line.
