Rumors say that Microsoft plans to release a Surface phone as a Lumia.
Three years back, tech site WMPU reported a leak from an unnamed source pointing out a Surface phone code-named “Project Juggernaut Alpha” hiding inside Microsoft's Campus's Studio H. Some logs revealed very early details.
Fast forward to August 2015, WMPU reported that the rumored Project Juggernaut has updated details, which show the mythical phone's specs:
- The rumored phone is said to have a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 1440X2560 resolution and 16:9 ratio. The screen in covered with ClearBlack Gorilla Glass 4 coating.
- It is rumored to be powered by a 64-bit Intel Atom X3 processor, with up to 4GB of RAM. Internal storage options are said to be 64GB and 128GB, optionally expandable up to 256GB via MicroSD card.
- A 21-megapixel PureView Zeiss 6-lens camera is mounted at the back, and an 8-megapixel Zeiss Wide-Angle camera is mounted in front.
- It is rumored to run on Windows 10 Mobile (version 10.0.10514.19) at the time of report.
- The phone is purported to have USB type-C support, wireless charging functionality, and a unibody rumored to be made of Aluminum and Magnesium.
- A Surface Pen, similar to the Galaxy Note 5's is also rumored to be of use to the phone.
Fast forward to today, SoftPedia reports rumors about the phone, although still unconfirmed by Redmond-based Microsoft, say that it will be released possibly in 2016.
In a recent interview with The Verge, Microsoft's Panos Panay spoke a little about the Surface Phone.
"That's a question I get asked a lot," said Panay, referring to inquiries about the Surface Phone.
Then the Surface chief gave a few hints regarding the highly-anticipated phone.
"Over time you want a consistent thread between the products, especially the hardware as well," he said. "Ithink what you have to think with overall devices is making sure we are able to get that consistent premium fit and finish that people are expecting from Microsoft."
“That fit and finish involves 'consistency across design' and 'consistency across craftsmanship,'” Panay adds.
With the phone's rumored specs and the current Lumia, Surface Book, and Surface Pro developments, it wouldn't hurt to wait for the phone to be released. Even if it comes under the Lumia name, and not under the Surface brand, it still sounds promising.
"I think we are in a great spot right now," said Panay. "You always work off the foundation as a starting point, and this foundation we've got is phenomenal and the consistency will come."
