Microsoft to Launch New Lumia Phones and Surface Pro 4 in October: Report

Microsoft is reportedly set to launch two new Lumia smartphones, the Surface Pro 4 tablet, and the Microsoft Band 2 at a media event in October. This ties in with a report from last month as well, which claimed that Microsoft could launch its new smartphones at an October event rather than at IFA 2015 in September.

Rumours of two new Windows Phone (Windows 10 Mobile) smartphones have been circulating since past few months. Codenamed Cityman and Talkman -- believed to be the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950XL -- the handsets are reported to offer high-end hardware modules. Chinese website WPDang reports (also corroborated by The Verge) that Microsoft will officially take the wraps off the two smartphones at the event.

The company is also expected to utilise the event to also release the next generation Surface tablet. The reports noted that the Surface Pro 4 could be launched by the company. Sadly, not much is known about the tablet at the moment except for the possibility of it integrating a fingerprint sensor on the Surface keyboard. Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 was launched in 2014. The device has sold well and was also well-received by enthusiasts. The company launched the Surface 3, a smaller and less-powerful variant of the Surface Pro 3, in March this year.

The Microsoft Band is also said to receive a major overhaul, as per the reports. The company is expected to launch the Microsoft Band 2 at the event. Not much about it is known either. The company had troubles meeting the high demand for its fitness tracker last year, perhaps this time it has better plans to go about it.

If Microsoft indeed launches the two handsets, they will be the two most powerful Windows Phone (Windows 10 Mobile) handsets in the market. As per past reports, the Lumia 950 (Talkman) is said to have a 5.2-inch WQHD (1440x2560) display. It is said to be powered by a Snapdragon 808 processor with 3GB of RAM. Other features of the device include 32GB of internal storage with support for microSD card, and 20-megapixel and 5-megapixel camera sensors, and USB Type C charger. The Lumia 950 XL (Cityman) is said to have a 5.7-inch QWHD display and Snapdragon 810 chipset, with most other features largely being same as the Lumia 950.

With Microsoft significantly toning down its mobile phone efforts, these two Lumia smartphones hold the fate of the future of company's mobile operating system. If these too also fail to garner traction from users, it could be the last nail in the coffin of Windows Phone (Windows 10 Mobile).

You will want to take the timing of the event with a pinch of salt, as several reports suggest that Microsoft would launch the two Lumia devices at IFA 2015, which begins on September 2. It will be interesting to see how things pan out, and how much truth is in these rumors.