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Microsoft’s ‘last Lumia’ reportedly launching on February 1st

Microsoft’s ‘last Lumia’ reportedly launching on February 1st

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The future of Microsoft's Windows Phone efforts is still unclear. After writing off most of its Nokia deal to the tune of $7.6 billion last year, Microsoft revealed it would be introducing a "more effective phone portfolio." We've seen the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL emerge as the first flagship Windows 10 handsets, but the only low-end alternative is the $139 Lumia 550. That might change next month.

Windows Central reports that Microsoft is planning to unveil its Lumia 650 phone on February 1st with little fanfare. It's reportedly a business-focused handset with a 5-inch display, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, and an 8-megapixel camera. The specifications and Lumia numbering indicate it's designed as a budget Windows 10 phone.

The Lumia 650 could be the last Lumia

Windows Central claims that "the Lumia 650 is the last Lumia," and that the software maker will focus on its rumored "Surface Phone" for this year. If true, then Microsoft's use of the Lumia brand could be coming to an end. Microsoft's Surface chief indicated to The Verge in October that Microsoft wants a consistent design across its devices, but it's still not clear if the Surface branding will be used for future Windows phones. Microsoft is reportedly working on a "Surface Phone" that's expected to debut later this year.