When you combine one of Microsoft’s flagship Windows 10-powered smartphones with a Microsoft Display Dock, it can actually work like a PC. It’s something Microsoft has been emphasising ever since it announced the new phones, but it still comes with its downside. The first question about continuum on Windows phones was always whether the feature would be available on lower priced (and hence spec’d) Lumia devices. Well, with the launch of the Lumia 650, it’s clear that it won’t. Why? Here’s what Microsoft says.
Statutory Warning: It’s what we all knew any way.
According to Microsoft’s Continuum requirements, only the Snapdragon 617, 808 and 810 SoCs from Qualcomm will be able to run the continuum feature on phones. This is why only the Lumia 950, Lumia 950XL and Vaio Phone Biz have been seen to support the feature up till now. According to a report by Slashgear, a Microsoft spokesperson said that the company’s goal with the Lumia 650 was to provide an affordable but beautiful phone for enterprise customers to deploy. The spokesperson further added that Microsoft encourages customers to buy the Lumia 950 or 950XL if they want the continuum feature.
Well, the answer is what we all expected. That said, Microsoft has always touted the fact that Windows phones have similar performance and features across price ranges. It seems that changes now. With Windows 10, you can get the best feature of Windows if you buy the best Windows phones. What Microsoft is basically saying is — while continuum is useful for Windows, it isn’t an absolutely essential feature. Agree? We can think of many who wouldn’t.