Time to Re-Introduce the Windows Phone - 2022

[luckymaf]

According to DigitalTrends, Microsoft has Windows 11 running on ARM-based chips made by Qualcomm. Is it time to re-introduce the Windows Phone ? The Lumia 950 with the Windows tile user interface is the best phone I have ever used. Especially if you are steeped in the MS Windows ecosystem – Office 365 etc.
I finally reluctantly abandoned my Lumia 950 and bought a Samsung Galaxy S21. Frankly the S21 Android sucks compared to the 950. And MS put the 950 in the grave five years ago.

Hey Microsoft – BRING BACK THE WINDOWS PHONE !

 

[interlocutor1980]

I only used HTC 6X about 1 year in 2014 which was a Windows Phone then switch to android but after reading your views and comparison definitely try Windows Phone if Microsoft launch.

 

[luckymaf]

interlocutor1980 - thanks for your reply.
Hey - Windows Central, surely you must have some sway with Satya Nadella or who ever it is at MS running the show, now that MS stock is trading at $280 per share (worth TWO TRILLION DOLLARS). Rather than subjugating and collaborating with a dominating yet inferior Android world, reintroduce the Windows Phone. 99.9% of Android apps are insignificant. Pay MS Phone developers to build/configure the 100 mobile apps that are most popular on Android and introduce phone users to a new, inspired Windows Phone. Just do it !

 

[o4liberty]

Don't believe Microsoft will waste any time on a new device since Google and Apple have the lock on OS and devices.

 

[HelloNNNewman]

Agreed… MS folded up mobile devices and ended the OS development long ago. Them getting back into that sector is about as likely as Palm coming back (which was leaps and bounds ahead of even current Android functionality).

 

[finbaar]

It's quite simple. Microsoft are not going to release a new OS for phones or a modified version of W11 for phones. That isn't going to happen. And as for the idea of reintroducing W10M or the even older WP8.1, well that's just crazy. Microsoft now have there full suite of apps and services available on Android - with and without Google Play Services - and iOS. There is zero reason to go back to developing phone operating systems.

 

[Laura Knotek]

That's not going to happen. The lack of apps was the nail in the coffin. Android and iOS have even more apps and developers now that those developers won't bother with something that didn't interest them over 10 years ago.

 

[phlamethrowre]

All of this is true and it’s really a shame. Windows Phone was the only OS that could pull me alway from iOS for any length of time. It was just so different from the other two mainstream phone platforms.

 

[luckymaf]

Too bad that the Windows Phone remains in Microsoft's rear-view-window. MS could partner with a handset manufacturer, introduce the “W11M” operating system, pay the developers of the most popular apps to build quality programs designed for W11M, make the phone available via AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc, and create a niche market. With a good marketing campaign enough Windows desktop users would migrate to W11M to make the product profitable and viable. Microsoft just do it!
And don't tell me that this idea is Steve Ballmer all over again.

 

[bleached]

Agreed… MS folded up mobile devices and ended the OS development long ago. Them getting back into that sector is about as likely as Palm coming back (which was leaps and bounds ahead of even current Android functionality).

What functionality is Android missing? Android is by far the most capable mobile OS ever. This is a rediculous statement!

 

[bleached]

Too bad that the Windows Phone remains in Microsoft's rear-view-window. MS could partner with a handset manufacturer, introduce the “W11M” operating system, pay the developers of the most popular apps to build quality programs designed for W11M, make the phone available via AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc, and create a niche market. With a good marketing campaign enough Windows desktop users would migrate to W11M to make the product profitable and viable. Microsoft just do it!
And don't tell me that this idea is Steve Ballmer all over again.

They did that and it didn't work. They partnered with Nokia, the largest phone manufacturer at the time and effectively destroyed their sales. They paid developers to build apps, but that didn't work because they only did the bare minimum to get paid. They don't get to control what phones the carriers sell, but they did have something on each one of them at points. They didn't sell.

Why would it work this time? The platforms are entrenched. There is nothing Microsoft could do that Android or iOS doesn't do better. Nothing.

If you don't like your S21, there are plenty of other options out there or you can customize it. Square icons and vertical scrolling is easy to accomplish.

 

[jasqid]

Big nope. They just let their consumer division go, and they burned too many bridges with users. As much as I really liked my WM phone back in the day there are too many beaten dead horses on that dirt road.

 

[Q-Less]

Not seeing any signs of resurrection either. But I'd be the first one to buy one even if performance lagged a bit compared to others' flagship phones. In terms of file management I prefer my Windows tablet over my Android tablet. "Walled Garden' is the main reason. The shenanigans Google and more so Apple are doing to keep users within their systems are stifling. If I could I would use Windows on Arm on my phone. Granted, I'm probably not the average user, but if it's about just a vote, a Windows phone gets mine.