After Lumia 950 and 950 XL smartphones were announced by Microsoft in October 2015, tech reports are suggesting now that the tech giant sacrifices them in favor of the new Surface Phone. Smartphones powered by Windows 10 become an important focus point in Microsoft's plans. In 2016, the company changes its direction on how it will approach the mobile market.
Lumia 950 and 950 XL, build on past glories, represent the end of line of a vision. Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella is focusing on cloud services, no longer exclusive to the Lumia handsets.
According to the website Uber Gizmo, Windows 10 for smartphones will be launched next month. Windows 10 mobile is a step toward homogenization and it becomes more similar to the competition. Windows 10's appearance on smartphones is more about data than about apps.
By sacrificing a short-term win with Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, Microsoft aims to gain a long-term advantage. With the Lumia range, the high tech giant has solved the "cloud first" part of its future vision.
The two devices are becoming now just stepping stones between the old vision and the new vision. Developers can still join the journey now with Lumia range, but for the general public a refined vision will emerge during 2016, when the Surface Phone will appear.
It is still possible, according to Forbes, that the two handsets of Lumia range will be improved with more great ideas during this year. However, it is not expected that Microsoft will make great numbers from the sales of Lumia 950 and 950 XL.
By giving a significant pool of users to test Windows 10 mobile, the two devices had the role to keep Microsoft in the mobile hardware market. They are still a crucial part of the Microsoft's plans to reach the Surface Phone. However, Microsoft Surface Phone becomes in 2016 the main focus of the high tech giant.
