In the world of mobile technology, there are not only successful releases but also "roads not taken." A striking example of such an alternative history is the prototype smartphone by Microsoft codenamed "Raven." High-quality photos of the device have appeared online, which could have become the corporation's first own phone, anticipating the appearance of the Surface Duo by several years. However, the fate of this device turned out to be tragic: it never saw the mass market.
Tablet Aesthetics in a Smartphone Body
Judging by the published photos, the Raven prototype differed radically from the smartphones we were used to at that time. If in 2013–2014 the market was dominated by devices with plastic or glass bodies, Microsoft decided to go the path of minimalism and premium quality. The device body was made of light gray metal, which gave it a strict and business-like appearance.
Designers clearly oriented themselves towards the successful Surface 2 tablet line. A large Windows logo adorned the back panel of the device, while the front part lacked unnecessary details, except for the characteristic touch navigation buttons. The camera, located in the corner, and the flash looked modest, which corresponded to the technological standards of the mid-2010s.
Why the Project Was Cancelled: The Nokia Factor
The main reason for the cancellation of the Raven project was one of the most high-profile deals in the history of the IT industry. In September 2013, Microsoft announced the acquisition of Nokia's mobile division. This decision radically changed the company's strategy. Instead of developing its own "Surface Phone" from scratch, the corporation received a ready-made powerful Lumia ecosystem.
Continuing the parallel development of its own smartphone lost economic sense. Resources were redirected to support and develop the Lumia line, the first significant release of which was the Lumia 535. Thus, the Raven project was frozen and forgotten, giving way to the devices we know from the history of Windows Phone.
Return to the Idea: From Raven to Surface Duo
The tech giant returned to the idea of creating its own smartphone only six years after the failure of Windows Phone. In 2020, the Surface Duo appeared — a device with two screens that became the embodiment of Microsoft's ambitions in the world of mobile development. However, unlike the Raven concept, the Duo faced serious problems: a complex structure, high prices, and unfinished software did not allow it to win the mass love of users.
The appearance of photos of the Raven prototype reminds us that the history of technology is full of coincidences. Perhaps, if Microsoft had not bought Nokia, we would today be using completely different devices, and the smartphone market would look different.
