Surface Phone/Andromeda device is one of the most keenly awaited hardware ever. Windows Phone/ Mobile fans want it to certainly happen and that too as soon as possible. We earlier posted a tip from some of our retail sources about Microsoft talking to channel partners about a new Surface category of devices. The tip had claimed that Microsoft may be on fast-track to at least talk about Surface Phone/Andromeda device hardware in H1 2018 and a possible release in H2 2018.

Now we hear that while the Surface Phone hardware is ready and final prototypes out for testing, the software readiness remains a question. Microsoft has finalized the detailed design of Surface Andromeda device and sent the final prototypes which are powered by the latest Snapdragon 845 processor for testing.

Software at the other end is still being worked upon and is evolving to support the foldable form-factor. We earlier reported that the Surface Mobile device will introduce an advanced multitasking feature that will take advantage of the two hinged displays of the same size. The focus will be on a seamless transition from the Tablet mode to a Mobile mode and vice-versa. The start screen and other UI elements will adapt to the Tablet and Mobile modes.

While the basic Andromeda OS development work is supposed to be completed, Microsoft won’t release the hardware with a half-baked and buggy OS. Even the apps that will be optimized for Andromeda to work seamlessly with both the modes are not ready or may not be ready in time for an H1 2018 launch.

But it seems Microsoft has targeted to launch the Surface Phone/Andromeda hardware in 2018 and if everything goes fine in terms of software readiness, we can expect an unveil in H1 2018.

Recent leaks, however, claim that initially, Surface Phone/Andromeda device may not be able to install the classical Win32 apps and that it may eventually be possible with subsequent updates.

Surface Phone/Andromeda device Features, Specs, UI & other details:

You can read our exclusive coverage of Surface Phone/Mobile top features/specs/UI design, photos & other details here. We posted some evidence that shows that Microsoft is already working to curate Apps collections for the Surface Phone/Mobile.

A recent job opening has revealed that Microsoft may be working on a 1st-party hardware (Surface device/phone) powered by just announced Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor.

We had exclusively reported that 2018 may see Surface Mobile (Surface Phone) & Windows mobile devices from top vendors too. In a recent poll, our readers selected Surface Phone as the most appealing name for the ultimate mobile device from Microsoft. Surface Mobile and Note names came at 2nd and 3rd rank.