14 DAY TRIAL // Just like expected, no new Windows phone was announced at the Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona, with Android handsets getting all the attention, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that devices powered by Microsoft’s mobile operating system were missing the show.
It appears that HP actually showcased an unannounced Windows phone that looks a lot like the Elite X3, but which features a few improvements that could be released at some point in the future on another model.
Citing a company spokesperson, PCWorld reports that “this is an example of how we see future iterations of the X3 platform,” so it’s more of a concept that imagines what a new Windows phone could look like.
There are no specifications for the time being, but judging from these photos, we can already see a bunch of changes, including a front camera lens moved to the left of the display, probably to make room for new technology under the hood on the right side.
The bezel is also smaller, a change that most phone manufacturers seem to embrace these days, including Samsung and Apple, and the bottom speakers, which on the Elite X3 were manufactured by Bang & Olufsen. On this concept, the speaker grille is no longer there, so there’s a chance that HP could be trying to make the device a little bit more affordable by removing this premium feature.
Not yet confirmed, but there’s hope for a new Windows phone
Of course, there’s no indication that HP wants to push this concept to mass production, but at least it’s a sign that the company is considering a new Windows phone in the future, and this can only be a good thing given the steep decline experienced by the platform these days.
Windows phones still have an uncertain future, and not even Microsoft itself confirmed plans for a new device, with the eagerly anticipated Surface Phone still a project whose release date is not yet known. Microsoft reiterated its support for Windows 10 Mobile several times, but the company said it would only work with partners to launch new devices and not necessarily plan its own models.
On the other hand, Microsoft did hint at a first-party phone that would serve as “the ultimate mobile device,” though no other specifics were provided.
