Microsoft's next Surface project might just surprise you

Microsoft is believed to have green-lighted a brand-new entry into the Surface range

MICROSOFT has reportedly canned an upcoming Lumia smartphone in favour of a new entry to the hugely popular Surface range, according to a number of industry sources.

 

Microsoft is believed to have green-lighted plans for an Intel-powered Surface Phone, which will showcase the next blockbuster update to its Windows 10 operating system.

Surface Phone is believed to be a flagship smartphone with an industrial design similar to the Surface Book and Pro 4 tablet.

The Redmond technology firm recently doubled down in its in-house hardware efforts, demonstrated by the Surface Pro 4 two-in-one hybrid, Lumia 950, Lumia 950XL and stylish, curved Microsoft Band 2 fitness tracker.

Microsoft also took the wraps off its first laptop – the Surface Book – back in October.

The Surface team behind these sleek and pricey devices are believed to be now the sole department working on the Microsoft smartphone which could go on-sale by mid-2016.

 

The latest Windows 10 smartphones, the Lumia 950 and 950XL, were unveiled in October

 

A flagship smartphone built by the Surface team makes sense for Microsoft

Like the Surface Book laptop and Surface Pro 4 tablet before it, the Surface smartphone is expected to ship with flagship materials and a premium price tag to match.

Surface Vice President Panos Panay and his team are believed to be looking into building an all-metal case for the smartphone, which will run Windows 10 Mobile.

Industry sources claim Intel is heavily involved in the smartphone project.

The hugely successful chipmaker could help the Surface smartphone bridge the gap between a smartphone and a productive mobile device.

Microsoft has previously hinted at these ambitions with its recent Lumia 950 series which, thanks to a recent Windows 10 upgrade, can be plugged into any external display and run full-screen desktop apps.

 

The mid-2016 release date appears to be in-line with the next major Windows 10 update, dubbed Redstone.

The blockbuster new update is expected to bring new improved Continuum functionality to allow users to seamlessly transition from one Windows 10 device to the next without interrupting their work.

PC owners are rumoured to be able to make calls from their desktop device through their Windows 10 smartphone.

Announcing a new flagship Windows 10 smartphone, designed by the team behind the hugely successful Surface Pro 3 and Pro 4, alongside these new operating system updates makes sense.

 

Surface VP Panos Panay is believed to be leading the Surface Smartphone team