Surface Phone isn’t real but it’s already Microsoft’s most important device

The Surface Phone isn't real yet but it is already proving to be one of the most important devices Microsoft will ever launch. Shareholders are losing faith in Microsoft's mobile plans. Windows Phone users are also losing faith in Microsoft's mobile plans. This means that if and when the device does appear, it will be either the savior of the operating system, or the death of it.

Currently, the outlook for Windows Phone is grim. The Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL are both out of stock on Microsoft's website in the UK and there's no sign of either device receiving a restock.

Microsoft, however, is still upbeat, telling TechRadar: "Microsoft remains committed to Windows as a platform and will focus our small screen experiences on the emerging 3-in-1 Category." That's very careful wording.

The quote suggests phones such as the Lumia 650 – a handset which didn't feature Continuum, Microsoft's own productivity tool that allows you complete tasks on a desktop setup much like a computer – isn't going to see a follow up.Dig a little deeper and it gets worse. At the end of 2016, the Lumia 650 is still the only phone Microsoft has launched this year.

Pair the lack of a flagship phone release and Microsoft's own claim it will be focusing on high-end 3-in-1 devices, it's quite clear that not only is the company is ready to launch a new Windows Phone device, it needs to launch one to stay relevant. November also marked a year after the release of Windows 10 Mobile alongside the Lumia 950/Lumia 950 XL pairing.

Source: Surface Phone isn't real but it's already Microsoft's most important device