Microsoft Surface Phone 2016 release date: launch rumors indicate 2016 or early 2017

(Microsoft)The Microsoft Surface Phone 2016 is rumored to be released in late 2016 to early 2017.

It looks like Microsoft is on a roll in the tech industry right now. Apart from the new Surface Pro 5, the Surface Book 2 and the Surface All-in-One computer, the company is also expected to release the Surface Phone 2016. As for its launch date, the general assumption is that it will fall in the range between later this year and early 2017.

The new Surface Phone 2016 will reportedly come in three variants. These three iterations will have their own unique edge and specifications. One of the three variants will apparently sport an Intel Atom X3 Processor. This same iteration will reportedly come with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. According to reports, this device will be the midrange option out of the three.

On the other hand, another Surface Phone 2016 variant is believed to come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor and the newest Windows 10 platform for mobile devices. As for RAM, it is expected that it will come with either 3 or 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage.

Finally, the third variant is rumored to come with 8 GB of RAM and 250 GB or 500 GB of storage. All three iterations will also reportedly come with a micro SD card slot for added memory. The upcoming smartphone will use an aluminum and magnesium material that will run along the device's case. As for its screen, the Surface Phone 2016 is believed to measure 5.5 inches with an AMOLED display.

Other features that will be present in all three Surface Phone 2016 variants are a USB Type-C port and liquid cooling technology. These two additions will ensure a better overall performance and quicker transfers of files. Moreover, a 20-megapixel Carl Zeiss rear camera will come with the smartphone, coupled with Surface Pen functionality. 

As for the Surface Phone 2016's price, reports vary on the exact range. However, it will fall somewhere between $699 and $1,100, depending on the variant.

Right now, nothing is certain, so tech enthusiasts should take this news with a grain of salt.

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