Microsoft Surface Phone release date, specs news: preparation for device's reveal continue with latest Lumia price cut?

The Microsoft Surface Phone may still be far away, but the Redmond giant appears to be taking major steps in order to pave the way for its much-awaited arrival.

The arrival of the flagship smartphone is believed to herald the end of the Lumia Windows Phone line. Microsoft has been doing its best to get rid of its supplies of the said handsets.

The latest on the chopping block is the Microsoft Lumia 435, whose unlocked version is being offered for less than $30 in the United States. Walmart offered the low-end Windows Phone for only $28.75.

This is not expected to be the final Windows-powered device to get a price cut as the Microsoft Surface Phone's purported release inches closer.

The Microsoft Surface Phone was reportedly initially set for unveiling later this year. However, there are rumors that it will see the light of day early next year instead.

The device is expected to bring Microsoft back to the mobile scene after the poor reception of the Lumia handsets. This is allegedly why the tech giant wants to make sure the Microsoft Surface Phone is a heavyweight of a handset.

This is also the reason that there is small regard as to how long before it will turn up. Microsoft is reportedly waiting for the Redstone 3 update for the Windows 10 before they release the smartphone.

This update includes a feature that will finally allow users to run desktop apps on the Windows 10, the biggest and most glaring limitation that Windows Mobile fans found. There is no perfect device to debut such other than the Microsoft Surface Phone.

For now, however, Microsoft's mobile dealings involve support to OEMs that release Windows Phones. It is expected that at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017, the company will be at the event in support of the unveiling of the new iteration of the HP Elite X3.