Microsoft nearly released this Surface Phone but ultimately decided against it.

      Microsoft's history in the smartphone market could have taken a different direction. Long before the Surface Duo was introduced and prior to the company’s acquisition of Nokia that altered its mobile strategies, Microsoft was rumored to be creating its own Windows Phone. Although that device never reached store shelves, we might finally have an idea of its appearance.

      Recently released images, shared by a user on Discord and Telegram and first noticed by Windows Central, provide a potential glimpse at this enigmatic phone. This prototype is believed to date back to 2013 or 2014 and was possibly developed under the codename "Raven." With its sleek metal frame and recognizable Microsoft design, it aligns well with the Surface devices from that period. It also offers an intriguing look at the Windows Phone Microsoft might have produced before its plans shifted due to the Nokia merger.

      The prototype resembles a Surface Phone

      While the prototype may not be particularly eye-catching by today's standards, that is what makes it compelling. It features a silver metal frame akin to the finish on the Surface 2, with the Microsoft logo prominently displayed on the back. It includes dedicated navigation buttons below the 720p display and reportedly utilizes an unspecified Qualcomm processor. Additionally, the phone is shown running an early development version of Windows Phone from September 2013, developed while Microsoft was working towards what became Windows Phone 8.1.

      On the right edge, separate volume buttons and a camera shutter are located, with the power button positioned on top. The bottom features both a headphone jack and a micro-USB port, while the SIM card slot is situated on the left. It remains unconfirmed whether Raven was intended to become a commercial Surface Phone. It's likely that Microsoft experimented with multiple prototypes during this timeframe, and this could have been one of them. Another intriguing scenario is that Microsoft was reportedly looking into a "Skype Phone" concept around 2013 — a data-centric device relying on Skype for calls and messaging instead of conventional cellular networks. Whether Raven was linked to that idea is uncertain, but the timing certainly piques interest.

      Microsoft’s phone trajectory took a different turn

      Whatever Microsoft had in mind for Raven, the acquisition of Nokia changed everything. Microsoft announced its purchase of Nokia's devices and services division in 2013, with the deal closing in 2014. Plans for a separate Microsoft-branded Windows Phone likely became less significant with the integration of Lumia hardware. Following the acquisition, Microsoft continued to release Windows phones, including models like the Lumia 640, Lumia 950, Lumia 650, and Lumia 550. However, the company gradually distanced itself from Windows Phone, and by 2017, it was evident that the platform was no longer a priority.

      The company eventually re-entered the smartphone market with the Surface Duo in 2020, but that was a distinct product: a dual-screen Android device rather than the traditional Windows-powered Surface Phone that many had envisioned. This mysterious prototype stands out as an interesting piece of Microsoft history. While we may never know if it could have revitalized Windows Phone, after all this time, we finally have a glimpse of the hypothetical Surface Phone that might have existed.

      Shimul is a contributor at Digital Trends, boasting over five years of experience in the tech industry.

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