Microsoft Surface Phone release date: Device may come with a new processor

The release of Microsoft Surface Phone has been delayed by the development of Intel's forthcoming Atom processor.

Rumors are strong that the new smartphone will come loaded with Atom processor, which is said to be stalled now. Intel restructured its operations last month, announcing to cut 12,000 jobs, which accounts for 11 percent of the workforce.

An Intel spokesperson said that the development of the Atom chips for mobile devices, condemned as Sofia and Broxton, has been cancelled by the company. Intel is also planning to phase out its Atom X5 chip lineup for tablets.

It means that Microsoft need to go for an alternative mobile processor to power its supposedly high-end hardware specifications. WinBeta reported that a Windows-based phone must run legacy apps or apps useful to businesses, based on Win32 architecture.

Mobile processors like Snapdragon 808 are not equipped enough to run legacy apps. Some reports claim that the upcoming Snapdragon 830 SoC may power the Surface Phone. Microsoft is reportedly gearing up to unveil the Surface Phone in three different variants with multiple RAM configurations.

Source: Microsoft Surface Phone release date: Device may come with a new processor