What would Microsoft’s Windows Phone look like in 2024? It’s like a micro PC running Windows 12 in your pocket.
Here’s what might have been if Microsoft didn’t kill off Windows Phone.
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While the Valentine’s Day cheer continues to spill over from last week, a heartbreak for Windows Phone lovers is seemingly brewing. I know many of us wish Microsoft never madethe strategic mistake that led it to pull the plug on Windows Phone. Am I the only one who secretly wishes Microsoft would make a comeback in the mobile scene with the Windows Phone running on a new OS? Maybe Windows 11 or Windows 12?
Well, I’m certainly not alone in this.AR 4789, a well-renowned concept-maker, recently shared a video on YouTube showcasing what the Windows Phone would be like today while running Windows 12.
The video is oddly satisfying to watch, and I can see myself getting the phone if it existed. The concept borrows heavily fromMicrosoft’s Windows 11OS. But right off the bat, it ships with several features you’d expect on any modern phone, including an In-display fingerprint sensor and perhaps Always-On Display technology.
Interestingly, the concept also showcases a mini-taskbar at the bottom of “Windows 12 mobile.” As you’d expect, it neatly packs several apps, includingMicrosoft Copilot(obviously), Start menu, File Explorer, Microsoft Store, andMicrosoft Edge. I would presume that Microsoft would finally fix some of thecritical issuesthat have been highlighted by users regarding the Start menu on Windows 11, and also truly incorporate a consistent Fluent design on these apps.
RELATED:Microsoft confirms the name of the next major version of Windows, and it’s not Windows 12
Of course, the concept also presents a scenario where users have access to a wide array of customization options. There’s also a search bar conveniently placed on the phone’s homepage, which is designed to let users search for stuff on the web (with Microsoft Bing set as the default search engine, as you’d expect).
Lastly, I’d expect it to ship with a ton of AI-baked goods and features. For instance,Microsoft Copilot’s Circle to Copilot feature, which is heavily inspired by Samsung’s Circle to Search feature on itslatest line of Galaxy phonescould be one of those features.
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There’s no time like the present for Microsoft to get back into mobile
Microsoft continues to fly high asthe world’s most valuable company, ahead of Apple. The tech giant’s success has been attributed to itsearly and heavy investment in generative AI,coupled with itsextended partnership with OpenAI.
With a$3 trillion and counting market capand lessons from previous mistakes, Microsoft could potentially make a comeback in the mobile market with Windows Phone and dethrone iOS and Android from the top seat. Apple is already in trouble as sales of its iPhone 15 series didn’t pan out as expected, which can majorly be attributed particularly to the decreased sales in the Chinese market.
Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. You’ll also catch him occasionally contributing at iMore about Apple and AI. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.
