According to Microsoft representatives, new Lumia flagships are coming soon.. That’s encouraging news after a week that saw Microsoft announced a $7 billion plus writeoff related to its acquisition of Nokia, and layoffs of nearly 8,000 of its workers – largely in its mobile division. The move was largely seen as a step back from the mobile industry, with Microsoft planning to reduce its lineup to just a few phones per year. These handsets would be released in three areas that Microsoft think it can compete – business, flagships and value phones.
The new flagships should come with Windows 10, allowing Microsoft to better compete against the recent leading phones from Apple, Samsung and others. In terms of a release date, sources at Mobile Burn – of unknown provenance – have suggested that we’ll see a release not at the next logical opportunity, IFA, but on a special Microsoft event on September 24th. The event will be held in the United States, and will see the release of five smartphones – including the Lumia 940 and Lumia 940 XL. This will presumably give the company enough time to roll out Windows 10 for desktop and tablets, then worry about the phone version.
The Lumia 940 and 940 XL have been rumoured for some time, and we’ve even got accessory pages up for both phones. The low and mid-range phones that Microsoft are yet to announce have been less well leaked, so they’ll be somewhat of a surprise. In any case, you can check the pages below for accessories once the phones are announced!
What are you looking forward to in Microsoft’s mobile announcements – a business phone, a new low-end option or the first proper flagship in ages? Let me know in the comments below, or write to us on Twitter @mobilefun!