New details have been revealed that Microsoft is planning to release numerous variations of its much anticipated Surface Phone, which is slated to be released next year.
Microsoft's Surface line, which includes the Surface Pro and the Surface Book, is arguably one of the more profitable gadgets released by the tech giant. According to reports, sales for the laplets have more than doubled from 2015 to 2016. Because of the impressive profits of the laplet line, it comes to no surprise how Microsoft is planning to cash in on the success of the Surface line further.
It is reported that the tech manufacturer is gearing up to release a set of Surface Phones by 2017. Based on the speculations, Microsoft would soon be unveiling not one but three versions of the Surface Phone.
Windows Central recently claimed that Microsoft is poised to release a new phone, same time when the company unveiled its next major update to Windows 10, the Redstone 2. Reportedly, the unveiling of Redstone 2 was pushed back to 2017, and as such, the new Microsoft Surface Phones should arrive around the same time.
In the same report, Windows Central claims that three version of the Surface Phone would be released next year. According to insiders who have reached out to the online publication, the three version would be sold to three different markets: consumer, business and prosumer or enthusiast.
This speculation seems to be in line with the recent internal email sent by Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella. According to the email, as reported by a separate article from Windows Central, Microsoft would be limiting their market segments to three specific customer categories. This shift in strategy aims to provide the best handsets for the three distinct consumer groups.
"We plan to narrow our focus to three customer segments where we can make unique contributions and where we can differentiate through the combination of our hardware and software," Nadella was quoted as saying.
Microsoft began manufacturing phones in 2014, following the company's acquisition of Finnish communications and information company, Nokia. At present, Microsoft has two active phone series, Lumia and the Nokia branded phones. Microsoft Lumia phones are powered by Windows 10 mobile, wherein Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 550 are the newest addition to Microsoft's Lumia line.
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