This is what has to happen first in order for a Surface phone to succeed

[Windows Central]

If there's one thing die-hard Windows phone fans are awaiting it is the much-anticipated Surface phone.
Though it has never been explicitly confirmed, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's "device beyond the curve in mobile" and "ultimate mobile device" statements suggest that a post-smartphone category-defining Surface is coming. Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Capossela, recently alluded to the same.

Full story from the WindowsCentral blog...