Microsoft will reportedly be shifting its focus for its flagship series, and may even discontinue its current-gen Lumia lineups to make way for the upcoming Surface Phone flagship.
In a report by WinBeta, it is highlighted that an insider has stated that Microsoft is looking to end the Lumia lineup by the end of the year, most probably by December. Although it may hint that the offerings for the different Lumia lineups will be only until the end of 2016, it is unclear if Microsoft will be altogether discontinuing the series. However, with the rumors of the flagship Surface Phone getting focus recently, it may be that Microsoft is thinking of shifting flagships and concentrating on just one lineup.
Should this happen, then fans will only have until the holidays to purchase the flagships Lumia 950 and Lumia 950XL, as well as the mid-range and entry-level Lumia devices.
Meanwhile, although the industry follower did not directly state it, the news of Lumia's demise may also give a hint on when fans can expect the Surface Phone. Since the Redmond-based tech giant is looking to discontinue the Lumia lineup by December, the Surface Phone may still make it to a late 2016 debut, with the official release starting sometime in early 2017. This will place the new flagship in contention with other big-name smartphone flagships, with its Windows 10 platform going head to head with other flagship versions like the iPhone 7 with iOS 10, as well as the supposed early outing of the Samsung Galaxy S8 with an expected Android Nougat platform.
However, there are also speculations that Microsoft will be focusing on its new Surface hybrids like the Surface Pro 5 and the Surface Book 2 on its expected October press event, and the Surface Phone will debut early next year instead.
