Microsoft Lumia 650: sophisticated, metal design and Windows 10 under $200 USD

As one of the leaders in our devices business, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand transformation and progress across our Windows and Devices group. From Windows 10 to Surface Book to HoloLens, and PC-like productivity on Lumia 950 series, it is clearly now apparent that we have a portfolio of unique and productive Windows devices.

One of the guiding principles of the devices vision is that it’s not just about the device itself, but what you’re able to get done with it. The simple fact is that the most personal device that we have to get things done is our phone. So the team and I are working tirelessly to make sure that we do our best to give you the most productive phones on the planet. At the end of 2015 we introduced the first Lumia devices running Windows 10 – Lumia 550, Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL – and we’re thrilled at the response they’ve received.

Now, here at the beginning of 2016, we’re excited to announce the new Lumia 650 – our latest smartphone running Windows 10. The Lumia 650 comes in matte black and matte white, and will become available in select European markets beginning Feb. 15, starting from a suggested retail price around $199 USD before local taxes and subsidies.

We’re extremely proud of the Lumia 650 and believe it will quickly be seen as the device that provides the perfect balance between work and personal needs.

I’ve had an opportunity to talk with our business customers as well as our Windows fans and something that consistently comes up is that this ever expanding mobile world is quickly becoming chaotic. It’s in that spirit that we designed the Lumia 650 to bring first class to business class; giving our customers the best of Microsoft productivity and security, all wrapped in a beautiful slim package. By providing a consistent experience across PC and phone through the power of Windows 10, we think professionals and Windows fans alike will love using it every day.

Sophisticated Design

This really is a beautiful phone. We’ve paid attention to every detail, pairing the highest level of craftsmanship with maximum everyday productivity. The 5” OLED display is bright and crisp; colors really pop and blacks are deep and clear. It’s by far our most beautiful screen ever at this price point. Lumia 650 also features a highly polished, diamond cut and anodized aluminum frame, giving it an unparalleled and premium feel. Importantly, we didn’t sacrifice the removable battery and expandable storage, something we know our customers enjoy having. And with a profile of only 6.9mm and weighing just 122 grams, it’s incredibly thin and light. It’s a phone I’m proud to show off.

Lumia 650 also features a 5MP wide-angle, front-facing camera and Microsoft’s flagship imaging algorithms, providing remarkable photo and video capabilities. Leveraging our world-class optics, the advanced 8MP rear-facing camera includes options for rich capture and living images enabling you always to capture the memory as it happens.

The Best of Microsoft Productivity

If you’re like me when you work, you want to really get things done. We need to be able to seamlessly move between our work and personal needs. Building on our success of more than 200 million devices running Windows 10, the Lumia 650 puts Microsoft’s smooth, responsive and most productive OS in your pocket.

Our business customers continue to send great feedback on Windows 10 and are compelled by the mobility of the Windows experience across devices. Lumia 650 runs the latest Microsoft Office apps right out of the box, allowing you to create and edit documents on-the-go and sync them to the cloud via OneDrive. It’s also perfect for picking up on email and an important presentation during your commute. And with Cortana, your very own personal assistant, you’re always organized and prepared for the day ahead.

The Lumia 650 fits perfectly into the enterprise with built-in support for Microsoft business applications, new third party Universal Windows Applications like Uber, and one click setup of common everyday tools like Office 365. It also allows IT to test the latest Windows 10 Mobile updates against critical line of business systems and apps, before you distribute to end users via MDM.

It’s secure by design and keeps company and personal data safer with features like device encryption and device wipe. These features allow businesses peace of mind, knowing important information in emails and files are protected from threats and empowers employees to use one device for work and play.

Tweets by @Lumia

As we’ve sharpened our mobile strategy with a new focus in phones, the Lumia 650 is another step towards bringing Windows 10 to more than a billion devices. Our phones will continue to play a key role in this effort. We’re improving our platform with regular updates and are committed to continuing to deliver the most productive and secure Windows-based smartphones to Windows fans and business customers.

I’m really proud of our team’s work on this new device and am really looking forward to bringing the Lumia 650 to market. So far, feedback has been great and our partners in Europe are excited to begin sales this week.