Microsoft to Launch Windows Phone 8.1 'Selfie' Smartphone, Plus Another High-End Device

Microsoft, which is all geared up to release the developer preview version of the Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 OS as early as next week, will now launch a smartphone exclusively targeting people obsessed with capturing selfies.

According to a Verge report, Microsoft's selfie smartphone tentatively termed Superman will incorporate a 4.7in display and a 5MP front snapper.

Other hardware aspects of the device have not surfaced yet, but according to rumours, Microsoft's Superman will likely feature a quad core processor clocked at 1.2GHz, along with 1GB RAM.

The device is also expected to provide 8GB of internal storage, along with microSD card support. A 6.5MP rear camera is also expected to adorn the smartphone.

However, the USP of the Superman is the 5MP secondary camera which is expected to spice up the 'selfie mode' and let users capture pretty decent pictures of themselves.

According to a report in Reuters, the selfie Superman was recently demoed within Microsoft by former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop.

On paper, Microsoft's selfie secondary camera is much more powerful compared with Apple's iPhone 5S' 1.2MP secondary camera.

Other details of the device such as the pricing are yet to surface. But analysing the speculated tech-specs, Microsoft's Superman smartphone will in all probability fall into the category of 'mid-range' smartphones having an affordable price tag.

The device once official should do well to compete with the recently launched Sony Xperia C3 ProSelfie smartphone, which also comes with a 5MP front camera.

Sony's Xperia C3 runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat out of the box, and features a 5.5in Triluminos display.

Along with the Superman smartphone, Microsoft is also speculated to launch a high-end smartphone tentatively codenamed Tesla.

The Tesla is expected to incorporate a PureView primary camera. Hardware aspects of the smartphone have not yet surfaced.

Once official, the Tesla can be expected to compete with latest high-end Android smartphones.