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Microsoft Surface Phone release date, specs news 2016: To boast powerful processor that matches that of modern PC

The Microsoft logo displayed at the Microsoft Ignite technology conference in Chicago, Illinois, May 2015 | Reuters/Jim Young

After the Lumia smartphones, Microsoft Corporation is reportedly developing a new line of mobile devices that will have the capabilities and features of the company's recent hits like the successful Surface Pro flagship. Dubbed as the Surface Phone, the upcoming Microsoft smartphone is expected to boast an impressive lineup of specs, including a high-level processor that can even rival the performance of a modern day PC.

There are rumors that Microsoft is planning to power up their new smartphone with the strongest chipset in the mobile phone industry today. It is heavily speculated lately that the Surface Phone will make use of the next generation of Intel's Atom processor. However, there are also reports that Intel will be discontinuing the production of other Atom processors such as the Atom X5 chips. In the absence of the new Atom chipset, it is rumored that Snapdragon 830 SoC will be used as the Surface Phone's processor instead.

The rumors also suggest that Microsoft will not only release one kind of Surface Phone. At least three variants of Surface Phone can be expected from the electronics giant as the company aims to target a larger group of buyers. The three Surface Phone models will sport varying capabilities which will be sold at different prices, with the least powerful base model being the cheapest and the most superior design being the most expensive.

Surface Phone is expected to sport the latest Microsoft Pen technology and Continuum. The screen feature of the device will be impressive with 5.5-inch AMOLED display and maximum resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels.

Digital Trends reported that Microsoft will not be able to release the Surface Phone until next year. According to the report, the new smartphone line will arrive in the markets in April 2017.