Microsoft Surface phone release date in 2017? Coming in 3 variants

Washington: Microsoft Surface Phone, which the company's CMO Chris Capossella called as a breakthrough device, will launch in 2017, says a report.

Citing sources from Microsoft, a report on Windows Central blog says that the Surface Phone will arrive in three different variants based on pricing and markets. It also says that the Surface Phone will also mean closure for the Lumia line.

The early 2017 rumours make some sense given that Microsoft has pushed back Redstone 2. A report on ZDNet by long-time Microsoft observer Mary Jo Foley said that the delay is to make sure that the new features concur with the launch of new hardware from the Redmont-based tech company.

Capossella confirmed development of the Surface Phone in a podcast interview, "We need more breakthrough experiences, breakthrough hardware to get people to move to Windows mobile OS. It's gotta be a phone that's sort of like, 'Wow.' "

Microsoft has been under performing in the mobile business since the launch Windows Phone 7. The addition of basic features have been sluggish, and app developers have not really shown interest in Windows platform.

Fans will have to wait and watch if there are more Lumia devices that launch in the course of 2016.

Source: Microsoft Surface phone release date in 2017? Coming in 3 variants