Microsoft Surface
Pupils of Berlin's Hausburg European school use a Microsoft Surface multi-touch computer in a digital classroom at the Microsoft stand during a presentation at the CeBIT exhibition centre in Hanover, March 1, 2010. Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch

Microsoft will most-likely launch a new smartphone this year and it may not be the much-awaited Surface Phone. The Surface Phone is surely the most-coveted Windows 10 phone at the moment. Now, news of another Microsoft phone has created quite a buzz.

According to Windowsreport, there won’t be any Surface Phone this year. Thus, fans will have to bank on the new phone Microsoft is aiming to launch at the end of this year. The Reddit thread of Windows Phone talks about the new phone. It was first reported by a former employee of a Microsoft contractor. The person also revealed that the special phone (arguable the PC-like Surface Phone with Windows 10 ARM) will only land in late 2018 or 2019. This has put an end to all hopes of seeing the Microsoft Surface Phone in late 2017 or early 2018.

It is frustrating for fans to not receive any official information from Microsoft about the Windows 10 Mobile. This could be part of the company’s strategy. CEO Satya Nadella has made some pretty good decisions for the company, and fans believe that the upcoming new phone will be good as well. No details are known about the Microsoft phone, expected to release later this year. The new phone may not feature the ARM compatible version of Windows 10 or support Win32 Windows Store apps, writes Softpedia.

Regarding the Microsoft Surface Phone, various German sources have reportedly spoken about a 2019 release date. It will be an ARM-compatible version of Windows 10. If at all Microsoft is thinking of bringing a Windows Phone again this year, it must be something unique, as the company has lost a lot of market share in the smartphone segment. Sales of Windows Phone are nearly insignificant. However, Fans are still hopeful about the Microsoft Surface Phone, and they have every reason to do so.

Surface devices have become immensely popular in the market, be it the Surface Pro, the Surface Book or the Surface Studio. The Surface devices are expensive but they bring forward some of the most-advanced specs in the market today. They are more suitable for creative professionals. As per the German site WindowsUnited, the upcoming new Windows Phone would be limited to Windows Store apps and run Windows 10 Mobile. Thus, it will similar to the Lumia 950 and 950 XL phones.

The Windows 10 Phone will have upgraded software. Stay tuned on IBT AU for more information on the Microsoft Surface Phone and upcoming Windows 10 Phone.