Microsoft’s first Lumia is coming on Tuesday

A budget smartphone for the holidays

by Tom Warren

Nov 7, 2014, 8:19 AM UTC

Tom Warren is a senior correspondent and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years.

Microsoft is planning to launch its very first Lumia smartphone on Tuesday. The software giant has started teasing an unveiling for November 11th, with the tagline of “Microsoft is delivering the power of everyday mobile technology to everyone.” Microsoft’s teaser also includes an orange curved Lumia device. Microsoft officially unveiled its new branding for upcoming Lumia handsets, and Tuesday’s launch will mark the first time the company drops the Nokia name on its smartphones. While many are hoping for a flagship phone, sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans tell The Verge that the company will launch a budget Lumia handset next week.

Recently leaked images revealed Microsoft’s first Lumia, and the specifications indicate it will be a low-end device targeted at the masses. It’s not clear how Microsoft will name its first Lumia, and the company could opt to ditch the number scheme that Nokia has used in the past. Microsoft’s first Lumia will include a 5-inch display with 1GB RAM, a 5-megapixel camera, and 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor. Surprisingly, Microsoft is adding a forward-facing camera to this particular model, something Nokia chose to cut from the recent low-end Lumia handsets. Microsoft is planning to unveil the handset on Tuesday,

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