Much to the dismay of tech buffs who have been waiting with bated breath for Microsoft Surface Phone, latest reports are now claiming that the highly anticipated smartphone may not even see the light of day, thanks to an unproductive market performance of the Windows platform.

Although Microsoft Surface Phone has been subject to a slew of rumors and leaks in the past, the latest report regarding the device's cancellation has raised quite a few eyebrows, as expected. However, the Redmond-based tech giant has neither confirmed nor denied these rumors and as a result, tech pundits are now hazarding all sorts of speculations regarding the fate of the much-awaited smartphone.

The Surface Phone's release date may never come to fruition at all if Microsoft decides to walk out on the Windows Phone, as reported by Inquisitr. The publication alludes to a report from Gartner Inc. as the principal element of the assumption. Apparently, the said report gives a peek at sales of Windows devices, which has been quite dull during the fourth quarter of 2016.

Windows mobile OS (operating system) contributed a negligible 0.3 percent share of the total smartphone sales during the period, clearly hinting at the cessation of Windows mobile OS. This puts Microsoft Surface Phone in serious jeopardy in a roundabout way. What could possibly worsen the situation for those who prefer Microsoft's mobile OS over Android or iOS is that the company may already be planning to dump Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL as well, but Surface fans should not lose hope just yet.

Microsoft could opt to set their sight on maximizing sales of Windows-powered smartphones and then plan for a Surface Phone. Despite the seemingly hopeless situation, optimistic fans have not ceased clamoring for the Surface Phone, and this could very well be the much-need shot in the arm for Microsoft.

It can be recalled that last year Microsoft's chief executive Satya Nadella teased a "revolutionary mobile device," which many believed was the Microsoft Surface Phone. He even mentioned about an innovative research that could catapult the purported Surface Phone to unparalleled success. Moreover, tech experts have indicated that the Microsoft Surface Phone could be the company's only shot at breathing a new life into its fading smartphone business.

Do you think Microsoft could be planning to dump the Surface Phone in the wake of the below average performance of Windows mobile OS? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!