Microsoft Lumia 650 Release Date, Specs And Price; Is This Microsoft’s Last Lumia Device?

Jan 21, 2016 03:20 PM EST

Microsoft had a good year last year with its Lumia phones, releasing the 950 and 950 XL last November, followed by the 550.  Even though these phones were greatly anticipated as Windows 10 devices, there are reports saying that these phones did not boost the Lumia brand, and it is possible that the Lumia 650 could be the last Microsoft phone, at least of the Lumia-type.  This is what is known about the Microsoft Lumia 650 Release Date, Specs, and Price.

According to Phone Arena, the Microsoft Lumia 650 will be announced by Microsoft on February 1st.  Then the handset will be available for purchase shortly after its announcement, at least in Europe.  It will show up in early February in Germany with O2, which is one of Germany's largest carriers. 

What makes this unveiling a little bit strange is that Microsoft is unveiling a phone about a month before Mobile World Congress, an annual event that occurs in Barcelona Spain at around the end of February/beginning of March, which is often a showcase for many new phones (Samsung will probably announce the new S7 there).   Lawyer Herald also reports that this could be the last Lumia phone from Microsoft, ever. 

So without the Lumia brand, what will Microsoft do?  Well, if the Redmond tech giant still wants to be in the smartphone business, perhaps it should rebrand.  There are talks that Microsoft is planning a new type of Smartphone, the Surface Phone.  It makes sense, as the Surface Pro 4 revealed last year was a huge success for the company, so it just makes sense to have the Surface brand name that helped sell 2-in-1 tablets sell smartphones as well.  As of now, there aren't many words about the Surface phone. 

As for the Lumia 650, it is made out of metal, and Microsoft's fourth handset will run Windows 10 right out of the box.  The screen measures 5 inches with 720p resolution and the processor is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210. There is only 1 GB of RAM, and 8 GB of internal memory, and the Lumia 650 is marketed as "an affordable business phone".  The camera will be an 8 Megapixel rear shooter, while the front camera will be 5 Megapixels.  Other features include a 2,000 mAh battery, Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, Wi-Fi calling, Bluetooth 4.1, HD Voice, a dual SIM slot, and NFC.  It should be available in Matte White and Matte Black Variations.

There isn't any word of when the Microsoft Lumia 650 will be launched in the United States.  It seems like it would be coming soon here if it is arriving in Germany, but like it was said before, there is no word and, therefore, no guarantee of that. The price is predicted to be about $238.