While smartphone lovers continue waiting with bated breath for Microsoft to shed more light on its long-rumored Microsoft Surface Phone 2017 release date and other details, it looks like the Redmond-based tech giant is in no mood to answer their prayers at the moment.

2017 seems quite promising for smartphone lovers with Apple reportedly coming out with the iPhone 8, Nokia making a well-received comeback with Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 Android phones at the recently concluded MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona and lots more. While the internet is rife with all sorts of speculations about the aforesaid devices, details about Microsoft Surface Phone 2017 have particularly been few and far between. Nevertheless, there's hearsay that Microsoft is prepping to debut a new smartphone this year.

The rumor stems from a Redditor known as Zombieacc, who claims to have been employed by Microsoft as a contractor. According to the Reddit user, the tech firm is gearing up to unveil an unnamed phone this year, which many assume to be the Microsoft Surface Phone 2017. Although details about the purported 2017 phone are hard is come by, the release is still in the cards, he wrote.

If the Redditor's prediction proves to be true, the Microsoft Surface Phone-like device, equipped with the long anticipated Win32 application support will not be announced until 2018 or 2019. Much to the dismay of those restlessly waiting for the Microsoft Surface Phone 2017, the insider confirms that the phone-PC-like Windows 10 ARM device will not arrive at least until next year.

If that wasn't enough frustrating, he added that Windows 10 ARM is nowhere close to making an appearance anytime soon. Aside from Zombieacc, a slew of other sources including Dr. Windows (via ChristianPost), have been pointing to a 2018 - 2019 release for a Microsoft Surface Phone-like device.

Microsoft Surface Phone 2017 has been subject to umpteen rumors and leaks. Lining with this, there's word floating around indicating that the Win32 support feature is being kept under wrap for the flagship smartphone. Furthermore, the rumored Surface Phone is said to work like a pocket-sized laptop.

The aforesaid publication cites unnamed sources that claim that the popular software maker is not on the verge of taking the wraps off the Microsoft Surface Phone 2017, but smartphone enthusiasts should not lose hope just yet. Apparently, Microsoft is hard at works on a new Windows 10 device, which is scheduled to launch this year, meaning, the company will not be completely away from the mobile grid for 2017.

In other words, gadget freaks will be able to get their hands on a non-Surface Phone handset by the end of the year, giving them something to cheer about until the tech firm is ready to take the wraps off the long-rumored Microsoft Surface Phone 2017.