Microsoft Today Doesn't Have Good Flagship Smartphones, Admits Nadella

Microsoft reported its biggest ever quarterly net loss of worth $3.2 billion (roughly Rs. 20,357 crores), citing the write-down of recently-acquired Nokia unit, and falling demand for its Windows operating system. Microsoft's mobile business lately has also been going through a major transition as the company announced it will cut 7,800 jobs alongside confirming plans to reorganise the Windows Phone unit.

Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, during an earnings call (via Neowin) discussed plans to offer premium or high-end Windows Phone to consumers soon. Talking about flagship smartphone, Nadella admitted that Microsoft still don't have good devices. He said, speaking in context of the flagship segment, "In which we don't today have good devices." Nadella however was confident that with restructured plans for mobile business, the company can turn its fortunes.

Further, he again stressed that Microsoft will launch one or at most two models each year in three different categories catering to affordable segment, business customers, and premium end or the flagship segment.

Last week, Nadella in an interview talked about the company's plans for Windows Phones in depth. He stressed that despite recent announcements the company was still focused on its mobile-first strategy, and in fact, the Windows 10 free upgrade offer was meant to boost the Windows Phone platform.

Soon after announcing restructuring plans for its phone business, Microsoft had confirmed that it would announce "premium Lumias designed for Windows 10" soon. Preliminary leaks have suggested that Microsoft is working on two high-end Lumia handsets codenamed 'Cityman' and 'Talkman', and both the smartphones are said to be targeted at the premium segment.

Looking at Microsoft's phone launches this year, the Redmond giant has largely focused on budget to mid-range segment announcing the Lumia 430 Dual SIM, Lumia 435, Lumia 532, Lumia 535, Lumia 540, Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL.

Recently, Microsoft India was reportedly rolling out an OTA (over-the-air) update for select Lumia handsets that enabled 4G connectivity option on these devices.