It's by the way interesting that they are working on a phone that supposedly will run Windows 10 Mobile where most people (including me) seem to think that Windows 10 on ARM is the next big thing.
I do not get Microsoft's strategy here (if that is the strategy). Let's assume Win10 on ARM indeed is the next big thing that'll kinda replace Win10 Mobile, why would they let manufactures like HP, Alcatel and WhartonBrooks put effort into making Windows 10 Mobile phones?
Windows 10 on ARM will definitely be high cost hardware. It has to be given the spec needed to support it.
There is still a need for Low to Mid hardware and maybe the Elite X3 doesn't count, but isn't HP also supposed to be coming out with a consumer facing device which would sort of be an Elite Jr?
I'm looking at Cerulean as something a bit more affordable than the X3 and all its hardware add ons.
To me the more interesting and relevant question is Windows 10 Cloud.
Windows 10 Cloud is a good idea and here's why | Windows Central
Will it have a 32 bit and 64 bit edition? Speculation has it going on lower cost netbooks, tablets and 2-in-1's. Might it not also be a more likely 1:1 replacement (or upgrade, if you will) for W10M? Would Win 10 Cloud be offered to current gen, built for W10M hardware? If yes, what Cerulean will offer, the expected Elite Jr, the Lumia 950/XL, Idol 4S, Liquid Jade Primo, NuAns Neo... Devices like these might be invited to make the leap and could with the OEM decision to do so. I would think current gen Snapdragon 6XX and 8XX series devices would be capable. Likely it will see a 2GB RAM minimum cutting out lower tier items like Lumia 550/650, Moly W5, Freetel Katana 01 (possibly Katana 02 due to SD 410), etc.
What if we don't move to Win 10 Cloud? I wrote a bit about that in another thread:
Worst case scenario, Windows 10 on ARM + Windows 10 Cloud kills W10M and your device won't leap to either of those two emerging alternates. It will still function for quite some time and I see no reason for it not to have the same lifespan it would enjoy if W10M were the wave of the future. We are at a point with OneCore and UWP Apps that even in a state of abandonware W10M has more sustainable viability than Windows Phone 7 through 8.1.
The way I see it, our store is pretty much set now. It's all one bucket that W10, W10M, W10ARM, W10Cloud, what have you all look to be drawing from for the foreseeable future...