Out of all the smartphones that are being manufactured, Microsoft has dealt with a simple approach to hardware. The company only has to do is show up and it already counts as a victory.
CEO Satya Nadella's mobile strategy has been a step forward from every software app Microsoft released on iOS and Android. From cloud services each users sign up for, to downloading application, to editing documents via the cloud, Microsoft gains a tiny win from all of them, but does not concern a commitment for the company to sell smartphones.
The reason why Microsoft is still involved with the hardware game, is a simple goal to remind everyone that they are still playing. The other side is focusing on the software and services strategy to bring in the big money and allowing Microsoft to stay relevant for the next five to ten years.
It took a long time for Windows 10's vision to form, an operating system with constant updates and effects to no ending of life moment as it always comes with more upgrades, and designed to not only run on desktops and laptops but runs also on tablets, phablets, smartphones, smartwatches, Internet of Things devices and the possibilities are endless.
Microsoft's Surface devices indicates that its OS operates perfectly as a tablet device. Smartphones such as the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL are the first devices to have Windows 10 installed by default.
Windows 10 still remains restricted as a system that works for deskbound that can operate well to other form factors.
The Lumia 950 and 950 XL is in fact the big signal why handsets still exist. Microsoft's value of smartphone presence even if it shares a small slice in the market, is considered far more significant than to have no hardware presence and depending on the cloud services availability to other platform.
While Windows 10 devices is indicating other manufacturers to roll out in the future, such as HP having Windows 10 mobile devices is a sign showing a near release, this itself is a big win for Microsoft just by simply being a part of the conversation.
