Rumored Surface Phone may make appearance at Windows 10 devices event

In a few weeks Microsoft plans to unveil new Windows 10 devices at a media event in New York. There are a couple Lumia smartphones expected, but there is also rampant speculation that Microsoft might introduce a new Surface Phone device as well.

Microsoft announced an event coming up in October focused on Windows 10 devices. Microsoft is expected to reveal the new Surface Pro 4 and possibly anupdated Microsoft Band along with Windows 10 smartphones. One device that might be unveiled in New York next month is the rumored Surface Phone.

Microsoft has had little success so far in the smartphone market. It’s acquisition of Nokia and stewardship of the Lumia line of devices has been questionable at best. Lumia remains the only truly recognizable brand when it comes to Windows Phone, but the most recent data from Net Market Share putsWindows Phone at a paltry 2.6 percent.

Microsoft isn’t abandoning the Lumia brand and is expected to announce one or more Lumia smartphones at the October event. There is also significant rumor and speculation, however, that Microsoft might launch a new device—the Surface Phone.

In theory a Surface Phone might be brilliant. Microsoft has achieved tremendous success with the Surface Pro line of tablet PCs—so much so that Apple felt compelled to make its iPad Pro virtually identical in form and accessories to Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3. Leveraging the reputation of the Surface brand to boost visibility for a Windows 10 smartphone makes perfect sense.

According to the rumors, Surface Phone would be a formidable smartphone. Reports suggest that it would essentially look like a miniaturized version of a Surface tablet with an angular aluminum unibody case. It’s expected to have a 5.5inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, 4GB of RAM and come with 64GB or 128GB of local storage—expandable with a microSD slot. There are also rumors that it will include a Surface Pen—a trademark accessory of the Surface tablet line—and have a USB-C port.

See the full story of Surface Phone on Forbes: Will Microsoft Unveil Surface Phone At October Event?