Microsoft is one of the long-standing tech companies that can be considered to be a household name. However, it hasn't been all rainbows and butterflies for the giant tech company, as it has also encountered criticisms and lukewarm consumer response.

Previously, Microsoft ventured into the smartphone industry with Lumia handsets. Unfortunately, it wasn't as successful as the company expected it to be and ended up being discontinued. That said, the world is curious if Microsoft smartphones will be part of the company's plan for 2017.

According to reports, Microsoft smartphones 2017 development plans have been confirmed. During the Australian Financial Review, CEO Satya Nadella has reportedly announced that 2017 will be the year when the company will release an ultimate smartphone device.

However, the said smartphones will still be uniquely different from the mainstream gadgets available in the market. This is still in line with the company's primary stance to not succumb to the mainstream designs and instead focus on making gadgets that are apt to the needs of the consumers.

According to CEO Satya Nadella, it does not matter if their initial efforts are considered to be sub-scale compared to leading smartphone brands. The company's focus is to ensure that the needs of a very specific set of customers that will, sooner or later, appreciate the unique, non-mainstream technology the company has created.

That said, consumers can expect Microsoft smartphones 2017 to be unparallel to Apple, Samsung and other mainstream devices. It's more likely that the upcoming devices that will take after the Lumia series will have more features that mean business rather than focusing on pop-culture.

One of the most popular speculations linked to the Microsoft smartphones 2017 is the Surface Phone. Up until now, the giant tech company has neither confirmed or denied the Surface Phone issues so it would be best to take the reports with a grain of salt. Stay tuned to Mobile & Apps for more tech news and updates!