Oct 10, 2016 08:37 AM EDT By Anita Valencia, UniversityHerald Reporter

Aside from the rumblings about Surface Pro 5, the fans are waiting for Surface Phone updates, too. Investigating all the rants swirling around for awhile, here are the possible launch date and specifications of Microsoft upcoming handset!

Microsoft Surface Phone codenamed 'Panos'

If you have been following the Surface Phone updates, you must be familiar with the word 'Panos' - which was reported as the codename of Microsoft's upcoming device, Business Insider reported. Panos Panay took over Microsoft device in 2015 and since then, the rumors about Panos or Surface Phone continues to build up.

Microsoft Surface Phone specifications

An interview with Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, seemed to confirm that Microsoft is going to make a phone. It has been three years since its first introduction and the time could be right to launch a new product.

Nadella explained to Business Insider that Microsoft's phone is 'continuum' - meaning that users are able to connect it to monitor, keyboards, or mouse. Furthermore, this would be a phone that can also be a PC.

Microsoft Surface Phone release date

Many sources have speculated that the upcoming Surface Phone is likely to get a 2017 release date along with the Surface Pro 5. WindowsCentral who has learned from familiar sources, said that there could be three variants of Surface Phone: for consumer, enthusiast and business.

It is unclear what differs the three categories but tech analysts are quite confident that they could have different processors and pricepoints. This is in line with Nadella's statement in 2015 when he said that the company will focus on three segments.

Speculation pointed at possibly 3GB, 6GB and 8 GB of RAM variants. UniversityHerald has also reported the rumor that said Microsoft Surface Phone could sport 20 MP optic by Carl Zeiss and a 5.7-inch screen Quad HD display.

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