Windows 10 Mobile isn’t dead; it’s just quietly fading from existence

I don’t speak much about Windows Phone (Windows 10 Mobile) these days. There isn’t much left to say about it. The last article I wrote regarding Windows 10 Mobile basically stated yes, some people may have use for what Windows 10 Mobile has become: a “simple” smartphone with a few apps, an adequate camera, and a few decent features. However, it’s hard to claim that Windows 10 Mobile became what it is today on purpose, as it’s painfully obvious it is how it is due to neglect rather than strategic planning.

I have considered Windows Phone a sinking ship for quite some time now, but had always hoped that things would turn around. As time goes on, the long-suspected “Windows Phone is dead” rhetoric only solidifies, even if not officially stated. After all, it has been 18 months since the reveal of Microsoft’s last flagship duo, the Lumia 950 and 950 XL. In fact, Microsoft seems to be putting more effort into selling other manufacturer’s flagships than their own, as evidenced by the Samsung Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition, which is little more than an in-store experience that helps users install Microsoft apps on a popular flagship running on Android.

Between the mysterious support for other operating systems and the dwindling support from third party apps on Windows 10 Mobile, it would seem that Microsoft’s smartphone venture really is finished – at least in regards to personal use. Recent news suggests that Microsoft may direct their mobile products towards business users, which we all know worked out really well for BlackBerry/RIM.

It’s possible that Microsoft could have more success with enterprise users than BlackBerry did, but I’m not convinced that “business phones” have a solid place in the world anymore, particularly if it’s coming from Microsoft. Even business users have a need for a reliable GPS system, banking apps, flight bookings, ordering food/supplies, and a whole host of apps that might be considered “personal use” that Windows 10 Mobile does not currently have access to, and it’s more hassle than it’s worth to constantly switch between two phones. What would truly be convenient is a solid profile system available on mobile where one could switch between a work profile and a personal profile. I’m still surprised that this is not a widespread concept already.

Regardless of where Windows 10 Mobile is going, I think it’s safe to say that Windows 10 Mobile in its current state is finished, even if unspoken. Despite the fact that some of the lower end models are quite affordable, Android is on the up and up with their own affordable smartphones and have a lot more to offer. I could no longer in good conscience recommend that somebody unfamiliar with the state of Windows 10 Mobile go into it. There’s just too much going against it, now without the comfort of Microsoft’s promises, to feel that it even has a glimmer of hope anymore. It’s too bad. I was really hoping to have a viable third platform in the industry, and Windows Phone/10 Mobile had a good structure to eventually become just that. While that’s still a possibility sometime in the future, I don’t think Windows 10 Mobile will end up being that third platform.