Sometime in early 2016, likely between January and February, Microsoft is expected to announce a new lower-tier Windows Phone. According to our sources, the Lumia 650 (codename Saana) is being positioned as a low-cost business device for companies to mass deploy to their employees. Windows Central has partnered with @PhoneDesigner to bring you these exclusive renders of the upcoming Lumia 650. The renders themselves are based on internal Microsoft slides for the phone. While these images are not official at least according to our sources, they are highly reflective of the final product. Backstory

According to our reporting, the Microsoft Lumia 650 was initially cancelled with the Lumia 750 and Lumia 850 back in July 2015 following Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's letter to employees. Best VPN providers 2020: Learn about ExpressVPN, NordVPN & more However, just a week later the project's status was reversed. From our understanding, the device (known only as Saana at the time) went through a few redesign efforts to be marketed as Microsoft's business phone. The phone is expected to be sold en masse to companies looking for a low-cost, but capable Windows 10 Mobile solution and takes over for the Lumia 640.

The phone's new look does add a professional aesthetic when compared to the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL, which were also positioned for business use by Microsoft back in early 2015. While the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL are placed as the top-tier Windows 10 Mobile devices, their $550 and $650 price points make bulk deployments unlikely. Nonetheless, with their support for Continuum both phones can easily be sold for mobile professionals who need max specifications.

Regarding specifications, the Lumia 650 is not a barnburner, but it does bring a new design language that is very reminiscent of earlier iPhone designs. With its chrome sides and thin profile, the Lumia 650 looks like a premium budget phone. The effect of the metal band is similar to adding a Mozo case to the Lumia 950, and it seems Microsoft has learned a bit from that design folly. Lumia 650 Specifications (likely)

Windows 10 Mobile

Colors: Matte White or Matte Black

5-inch 720p display

Snapdragon 212 processor

1GB of RAM

8GB of storage with micro SD expansion

5MP front-facing camera; 8MP rear with LED flash

No wireless charging New CPU?