Is Microsoft Planning New High-End Windows Phones?

Reports of the slow decline of Windows Phone in the face of major Android and iOS opposition may have been somewhat premature, according to new rumours of super-powered devices from Microsoft.

Tech site UnleashThePhones has revealed details of two upcoming devices, codenamed the Cityman and Talkman, as well as news on some nifty new software tricks Microsoft is planning for its devices.

Unveiled

The phablet-esque Cityman is the more high-end of the devices, boasting a 5.7in QHD display, Qualcomm octa-core processor (possibly the Snapdragon 810), 3GB RAM, 32GB of internal memory with a microSD card slot, 20MP rear camera, 5MP front facing camera, and 3300 mAh removable battery.

Its smaller brother, the Talkman, comes with a 5.2in QHD display, six-core Qualcomm processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB of internal memory with a microSD card slot, 20MP rear camera, 5MP front facing camera, and a 3000 mAh removable battery.

The new devices are set to be released sometime in the second half of the year.

The sources also claim that Microsoft will also be announcing a new Windows 10 feature which will allow you to answer calls on your PC. Similar to the “Hand-off” function currently available for iPhone/OSX devices, user can use their headphones with a microphone to talk, or make calls and send text messages directly from their Windows PC.

Despite a long-running struggle in getting its devices to compete with Android and iOS, Windows Phone does have several high profile backers. Microsoft announced at MWC 2014 that LG, alongside other heavyweights such as Lenovo and HTC, would be continuing to produce devices powered by Windows Phone, but so far there hasn’t been much in terms of actual releases.

Last month, reports surfaced that LG is set to announce a high-spec Windows Phone device for US phone network Verizon.

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