Lumia 650 Release Date Rumor: The Only Lumia for 2016 Will Release on February
A new rumor brings sad news to Lumia fans. According to a recent report, Lumia 650 will release next month and will be the last one for 2016.
A Windows Central report, citing multiple unnamed sources, claims Microsoft will launch the Lumia 650 with little fanfare on Feb. 1. Microsoft will supposedly announce pricing, availability, and other details through its official blog.
Speculations suggest that the Lumia 650 is a premium-looking device sporting midrange specifications and price. It is reported to have a 5-inch 720p display, Window 10 Mobile, Snapdragon 210 or 212 processor, 1 GB RAM, 8 GB memory with microSD slot, a 5-megapixel front shooter, and an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash. It is also rumored to come in two color variants, namely Matte White and Matte Black.
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To support the "last Lumia of the year" claim, Windows Central also reports that the two other rumored Lumia phones, Lumia 750 and Lumia 850, have been canceled since last year in July. This rumor, if true, is not good news for the Lumia line in particular and Microsoft's smartphone strategy in general.
Although Microsoft's smartphone strategy has been "somewhat unpredictable," Slash Gear notes that in general the company has been all about enhancing user's software experiences with its Windows 10 Mobile and Continuum, for instance. And with only few of its OEM partners consenting to its plan, Microsoft might still need to roll out its own devices as of the moment.
But Windows Central supports its claim by saying that the release of only one Lumia and the cancellation of the other two will reportedly free Microsoft's resources to focus on the flagship "Panos phone." The device is rumored to release as part of the Surface line and will debut in fall 2016.
Microsoft has not confirmed or denied any of these rumors though.
