After months of leaks and rumors, the Microsoft Lumia 650 may finally be getting its official announcement on February 1. The device was previously expected to be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 22, but sources speaking to Windows Central claim that the upcoming model will be announced early next month.
The Microsoft-centric tech site notes that the Lumia 650 will likely be the last Lumia handset, at least for 2016. This is because Microsoft is planning to unveil the rumored Surface Phone later this year. The company is also thought to be in the process of abandoning the old Nokia name as well as dropping the Lumia brand in order to launch new flagship phones under its existing Surface name, which the premium brand used for its well-received laptop-tablet hybrids.
The upcoming mid-range phone will reportedly by featured at Microsoft's MWC stint, but it will only be announced with "little fanfare." Furthermore, the report indicates that both Lumia 750 and 850 have been canceled by the software giant.
Specifications of the Lumia 650 were already leaked months ago. It will supposedly have a 5-inch 1280x720 resolution display and will be powered by the entry-level Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 or 212 chipset partnered with 1GB RAM and 8GB of expandable storage. An 8-megapixel camera with LED flash is fitted at its rear. It has a 5-megapixel front shooter and will come in two color variants, Matte Black, and Matte White.
Unlike other mid-range Lumia models, the Lumia 650 is expected to look and feel more premium. As demonstrated in the mock-up GIF below provided by Windows Central, the device will sport a metal chassis and matte plastic back.
It will be pitched by the company as a mid-range device that will sit between the budget-friendly Lumia 550 and the heftier priced Lumia 950 flagship, completing Microsoft's limited range of Windows 10-powered Lumia smartphones for this year.
Final details of the handset, including pricing and availability, has yet to surface but thanks to a leak originating from a smartphone distributor in the Czech Republic, Lumia fans may now have an idea on how much the model is going to cost. The SIM-free and unlocked version of the smartphone will apparently be priced at CZK 5,491 in the said European country. That roughly translates to $222 or €203. Tech site GSM Arena, however, expects that if it ever launches in the US, the unlocked version will likely be given a $199 price tag.
