An interesting discussion has been going on in the Windows Phone subreddit this morning. A user created a post with the title “Microsoft needs its own Nexus style phone. “Surface Phone.” His argument is that Microsoft needs to have a device that they sell only through their own store at a very low price, and it will always get the latest updates.
It’s an interesting topic. Do you think Microsoft needs a Nexus-like device? We would argue that they already do have Nexus-like phones. Devices like the Nokia Lumia 525 are extremely cheap, can run all apps, and with Microsoft’s Developer Preview you can get updates immediately. High-end devices like the Nexus 5 are a little harder to come by.
The Nokia Lumia Icon is a similar phone to the Nexus 5 in terms of specs. The Nexus 5 is only $350 off-contract, while the Lumia Icon is a full $200 more expensive. You won’t find an off-contract Windows Phone device for much less than that if you want to compete with the Nexus 5. If Microsoft was ever going to offer a Nexus phone now would be the time.
Withe the Nokia acquisition almost complete Microsoft has a great hardware maker to design a Surface phone. By keeping everything in-house and with Microsoft’s bigger wallet they can afford to keep costs low. Do you think Microsoft should release a Nexus-like Surface phone?
