Microsoft to Phase Out Windows Phones; Lumia Production to End this Year
Reports indicate that Microsoft is removing Windows phones from official Windows stores. It seems that the company will no longer build up on the Lumia brand, and evidence of this is shared by numerous sources acquainted with the company's long term policies.
Lumia Production Stopped
As stated in MS Power User, Microsoft made a slight change in the front page of Microsoft Store; in the categories section, the "Microsoft Lumia" link has been removed.
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Another indication that the Lumia production will be stopped are reports stating that Microsoft will no longer offer replacement units, even those that are still under warranty in the United Kingdom.
Poor market shares have been cited as one of the main reasons why Microsoft is removing its focus on the Windows phone. This year, more than 99 percent of the mobile OS market belongs to Apple iOS and Android combined; Windows OS only accounts for 0.5 percent of the shares. Slash Gear reports that Lumia phone sales will end this year.
Nokia and Windows had a strong partnership through the Lumia umbrella, creating Windows phones. Eventually, Windows fully bought the Lumia brand. The brand has gone on decline ever since; even phones from Acer and HP, which are original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners with Microsoft, fare better than Lumia 950 and 950 XL.
According to Thurrott the decline of the Windows phone has been long and slow.
Microsoft Surface Phone
News agencies also report that Microsoft will focus on the Surface Phone and leave off the Lumia brand. Tech Times says that while fans are highly anticipating the release of this new phone, they may have to wait until next year due to components issues.
This indicates that the company will still continue to venture into the mobile market; albeit no longer with the Lumia. Some of the rumored features of the Microsoft Surface Phone include 8 GB RAM and storage space, Carl Zeiss Lens, big display, Windows 10 Redstone OS, and Kaby Lake processor.
Softpedia reports that Windows will continue to support Windows 10 Mobile. In fact, the Surface Phone will run on this mobile OS.
An email by Terry Myerson, executive VP of the Windows and Devices Group, also said, "Our company will be pragmatic and embrace other mobile platforms with our productivity services, device management services, and development tools – regardless of a person's phone choice, we want everyone to be able to experience what Microsoft has to offer them."
