What is a Microsoft Surface Phone, if not a phone?
A Microsoft Surface Phone is very much in the cards, may that be in the upcoming quarter of 2016 or the next. With that said, the device isn’t likely to be unveiled as a competitor of premium handsets, like the Apple iPhone, or any version of the Samsung Galaxy, even if, for all intents and purposes, it will be a premium device.
We use the word “device”, rather than “smartphone”, because the Surface Phone is expected to transcend smartphones and tablets, and entry-level PCs as well. By this token, the new handset will potentially offer features in line with current Lumia devices, in reference to being able to connect to external displays and input devices as a surrogate desktop PC, however the “premium” side of the device will likely consist of high-quality components and materials, similar to what Microsoft has done with the Surface Book. In a way, the Surface Phone could be unveiled as a handheld equivalent of the Surface Book, in the same way as Lumia smartphones are to the Surface Pro tablet.
It has been speculated that the Surface Phone will have a similar aluminum finish as the Surface Book, as well as support for the Surface Pen. The graphic processor could also offer some advanced features and be more powerful than what’s currently available to owners of Lumia 650 and 650XL, as well as an improved 8 Core CPU, and the ability to connect wirelessly to external displays and peripherals.
The big question, however, hinges on battery life. Premium features usually equate to premium battery usage. With that said, it’s crucial for Microsoft to ensure that Windows 10 for Phones will be capable of optimizing tasks and system features efficiently. Fortunately, battery technology has seen some formidable advances, including batteries that are considered non-standard, such as the hydrogen-fueled battery cells developed by Swedish startup MyFC, which could be a creative solution to powering a device with the type of specifications capable of making the Surface Phone a much more advanced device than any previous phone designed by Microsoft.
Microsoft’s focus is on Windows 10, first and foremost, and apps and services a close second. In this regard, the Surface Phone doesn’t need to compete with other smartphones, as it won’t be technically a smartphone, first, and second, every handset on the market supports Microsoft apps, such as OneDrive, Skype, and most importantly, Microsoft Office. On that note, however, the Surface Phone is most definitely meant to be a flagship product, designed to solidify the Surface brand into something as recognizable as an Apple product, which could be very good for Microsoft in the near future, especially as Windows 10’s adoption rate continues to grow among consumers, as well as enterprises.