Mar 15, 2017 01:44 PM EDT By Eisen Tyler, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Microsoft Surface Phone, the smartphone expected to rival Apple and Google devices, has apparently been delayed much further. The delay of the Surface Phone is reportedly caused by the tech company switching their attention in the struggling Windows 10 Mobile operating system.

Microsoft was initially speculated to be working hard on the Surface Phone as a successor to the tech giant's Lumia line of handsets. Nonetheless, Microsoft's upcoming Surface Phone will be delayed much further. Recently surfaced reports claim that the tech giant has significantly pushed back the highly anticipated release date of the Windows-based smartphone. The delay of the Microsoft Surface Phone is reportedly due to Microsoft's decision to focus more on the Windows 10 Mobile OS rather unleashing its upcoming smartphone.

The news of the Microsoft Surface Phone delay comes from a Reddit user claiming to be a former employee of a Microsoft contractor. The Reddit user claims that Microsoft might launch the Surface Phone sometime in late 2018 or 2019, Express reported. Nonetheless, the Reddit user further claimed that Microsoft will definitely push through with the upcoming handset, which is said to be one of Microsoft's most powerful devices.

In spite of that, the Microsoft Surface Phone is expected to have a metallic housing that covers the overall structure of the device. The Microsoft Surface Phone comes along with a Type Cover support, a feature that resembles to the Microsoft Surface tablet series, according to Gizbot. Microsoft's upcoming device is reportedly powered by Windows 10 designed for the ARM-based SoCs of Qualcomm. Also, the Microsoft Surface Phone is anticipated to roll out with a Quad HD display, a 23MP rear snapper with Carl Zeiss lens and a USB Type-C port.

Moreover, the Microsoft Surface Phone is speculated to have the ability to connect to an external keyboard, mouse and display to run desktop apps like Adobe Photoshop.

Watch The Video Here:

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit