Microsoft Surface Phone release date rumors: Device to be released next year, Microsoft says goodbye to Lumia line

Maria Bernadette Castro Friday, May 20, 2016

Microsoft Surface Phone is expected to be unveiled next year. | Microsoft

The Microsoft Surface Phone will not be released this year, if the latest reports are any indication. Microsoft reportedly has some concerns on the processing front of the device.

According to reports, the company based in Redmond is eyeing an Intel Atom processor for the smartphone. However, the said chipset will no longer be manufactured by the company after having to lay off 12,000 workers.

Another report claims that Microsoft is now looking to use Kaby Lake, Intel's nex-gen processor to be tweaked especially for the Microsoft Surface Phone. The same chipset is said to be the one to be used on the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 and Surface Book 2 as well.

However, this processor won't be out until later this year. Because of this, Microsoft will have to hold off the release of the Microsoft Surface Phone all the way to 2017.

But based on the rumored specs of the device, it will be well worth the wait. The Kaby Lake will reportedly allow the Microsoft Surface Phone to get premium versions with 8 GB RAM and even 12 GB RAM.

If this will ever hold true, this will make the Microsoft Surface Phone a literal computer in a user's pocket. There will reportedly be 4GB RAM and 6GB RAM versions too. The camera on the back will reportedly be a monstrous 21-megapixel unit.

Just recently, Microsoft took the first step in letting go of its Lumia line by selling its entry-level feature phone assets to FIH Mobile Ltd, which is a subsidiary of the Hon Hai/Foxconn Technology Group and HMD Global, Oy.

"Microsoft will continue to develop Windows 10 Mobile and support Lumia phones such as the Lumia 650, Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, and phones from OEM partners like Acer, Alcatel, HP, Trinity and VAIO," the company wrote in a press release announcing the deal.

According to ZDNet, this might be the beginning of Microsoft's efforts to establish a whole new line of Surface phones, with the launch pad being the Microsoft Surface Phone.