While Microsoft itself is in no hurry to pump out the next first-party Windows 10 Mobile handset, the company’s OS seems to have catch on with manufacturers in a surprising Asian land. Yes, we’re talking about Japan, where the local Lenovo has just exclusively announced its new Windows phone, reports Microsoft Japan’s news page.
Specifically, the phone is a collaboration between Lenovo Japan and Softbank – the third largest carrier in Japan – which explains the uninspiring name “Softbank 503LV”. To be fair, the phone is most likely not meant for anything flashy: the looks scream minimal and business-focused (reminiscent of older iPhone generations with glass back), as with the HD (1280×750) 5-inch screen.
Things get a bit more interesting under the hood: powering the system is an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617, and a surprisingly spacious 32GB of storage, 3GB of RAM, as well as support for removable microSD up to 128GB. Coupling with Windows’ efficiency, multi-tasking business people should be in no want for more memory any time soon.
Connectivity options on the Softbank 503LV are also par up to modern standards, with Wi-Fi ac and Bluetooth 4.0. With such a mediocre resolution screen, the 2,250mAh battery should last owners quite a while. Microsoft Japan is also advertising the phone’s advantages by being part of its ecosystem, including support for Skype for Business and Microsoft Intune, and more notably, Continuum support, which allows users to plug the phone into a screen and turn it into a pseudo-desktop environment for emergency work. It is, however, not clear if Lenovo will be putting out its own dock solution, or the Continuum dock from Microsoft is going to be a required additional purchase.
Overall, the phone looks like a solid option for Japan-located business users whose organizations are already in the Microsoft ecosystem, as well as those with more focus on core productivity enhancements than having a bazillion apps at their fingertip. The Lenovo Softbank 503LV is going to be released in October this year, and will only come in black.
Via MSPoweruser.
