Microsoft's Lost Surface Phone: Prototype Photos Emerge
Photos of a mysterious Windows Phone prototype, possibly Microsoft's canceled Surface Phone from 2014, have surfaced. The device features a distinctive silver design and an early build of Windows Phone 8.1.
Newly surfaced photographs offer a rare glimpse into what might have been Microsoft's ill-fated Surface Phone, a device rumored to be in development around 2014. The prototype, reportedly codenamed "Raven," showcases a design aesthetic consistent with Microsoft's Surface line of that era, featuring a silver metal frame and a prominent Microsoft logo on its rear.
The device runs an early, pre-release build of Windows Phone 8.1, dated September 2013, indicating it stemmed from internal development efforts targeting the platform's evolution. While specific chip details are scarce, the prototype is known to sport a 720p display and physical navigation buttons matching the chassis's silver finish. Specifications suggest dedicated hardware keys for volume and camera functions on the right side, a power button on the top, a micro-USB port and headphone jack on the bottom, and a SIM card slot on the left.
A Glimpse into a Different Mobile Future
The appearance of this Microsoft prototype is particularly intriguing given the company's turbulent history in the mobile market. Prior to its acquisition of Nokia's mobile division, Microsoft was widely expected to launch its own branded Windows Phone device. This particular prototype, with its clean design and integration of Surface branding elements, suggests a dedicated effort to merge its PC and mobile hardware identities.
Development on such a device was likely halted around 2014, a period that saw Microsoft solidify its acquisition of Nokia's smartphone business. The company continued to release Nokia-branded Lumia devices, including models like the Lumia 640 and 950, before ultimately withdrawing from the Windows Phone operating system market in 2017. Industry speculation at the time suggested Microsoft was exploring a "Skype Phone" concept, a device that would leverage Skype for communication over mobile data, potentially distinct from traditional carrier services.
The Surface Phone that eventually materialized for consumers was the Surface Duo, a dual-screen Android device that began development in 2016 and was released in 2020. This earlier prototype offers a compelling look at an alternative path Microsoft might have taken in the smartphone arena, one that remained firmly within the Windows ecosystem.