Microsoft Corporation is building a new smartphone, called the Surface Phone, to challenge Apple Inc. in the premium handsets market, according to reports.
Apple needs a hit smartphone as sales of iPhone continue to decline. For the first time in April 2016, the tech giant reported a decline in iPhone sales. It has been losing its share in the smartphone operating system market to Android-powered devices. The company faces a stiff competition in both international and the U.S. markets from Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo, and Xiaomi.
Microsoft impressed tech world and fans with its Surface devices including Surface Studio. The Surface family has laptops, tablets, all-in-one computers, and the only thing the brand is missing is a smartphone. So, rumors suggest that the Redmond might unveil the Surface Phone this year. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in December hinted that the company is working on “the ultimate mobile device.”
The iPhone 8 is also a hot topic these days. Report from reliable sources indicates that the iPhone 8 with a radical redesign will be unveiled in September. It is expected to feature wireless charging, edge-to-edge OLED display, and cutting-edge camera tech.
Let’s take a look at top rumors about the Surface Phone. Next, we will talk about the iPhone 8’s rumored specs.
Microsoft Surface Phone
The Surface Phone will be a Windows 10 Mobile-powered smartphone, according to the rumor mill.
There are expected to be three versions of the Phone including a consumer model, a business model, and an enthusiast edition. The base model would have 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
The smartphone is expected to run Win32 apps. Tech gurus say that feature could give the Surface Phone an edge over iPhone and Android devices.
The Surface Phone might come with a 20-megapixel rear camera with a Carl Zeiss lens.
Inside, it might have a Kaby Lake processor from Intel. However, latest report also suggests that Microsoft is planning to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors in the Surface Phone.
The Surface Phone will target business and corporate users. It would be the most secure and productivity-focused phone, according to reports.
The Surface Phone would cost between $699-$1100. For the base model, the price is expected to be $699, while the high-end phone would get a price tag of $1,099.
iPhone 8
The iPhone 8 is expected to be launched in September to mark the 10th-anniversary of the iPhone. New reports suggest that it would be an expensive handset, selling at more than $1000.
The iPhone 8 is expected to be packed with innovative design and features including an OLED screen, an edge-to-edge display, and a long-distance wireless charging. It is rumored to have a 5.8-inch display.
The most exciting feature in the iPhone 8 would be a wireless charging ability. Apple is reportedly building a new technology to allow the phone to charge itself from a long distance. KGI analyst Ming -Chi Kuo believes such a technology would make the iPhone 8 a very attractive gadget for lower-end of the smartphone market.
The iPhone 8 will have a revolutionary camera technology, according to reports.
Kuo said that Apple will add a dual-lens camera and optical image stabilization for both the wide-angle and telephoto lenses to the iPhone 8.
Moreover, the iPhone 8 will have a 3D camera, according to a report from The Korea Economic Daily. The newspaper reported that LG will supply 3D cameras for the new iPhones.
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 8 along with a 4.7-inch model (possibly the iPhone 7s) and a 5.5-inch model (possibly the iPhone 7s Plus) in September.
