Retail packaging of the Alcatel Idol Pro 4S with Windows 10 leaks

Microsoft’s Windows phone hardware market may be barren at the moment – especially when consumers are involved – but its OEMs aren’t opposed to giving it at least one more shot.

Alcatel’s long promised flagship Windows phone – which we exclusively revealed a while back – may finally be ready for launch launch, as the retail packaging of the device leaks onto social media.

The device packaging seemingly confirms all the rumours about the device, namely its VR capabilities which we reported on last month, as well as the branding of the device as the “Idol 4S with Windows 10” and most obviously, its retailing by T-Mobile USA.

Alcatel Idol 4 Pro will indeed be marketed by T-Mobile US as Alcatel Idol 4S with Windows 10. VR headset included. Here's the packaging. pic.twitter.com/UlFsAJMrbV

— Roland Quandt (@rquandt) October 3, 2016

The rumoured specs of the device are as follows:

• 5.5-inch Full HD
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
• 4GB of RAM
• 64GB internal storage
• 21MP rear camera
• 8MP front camera
• Continuum for phone support
• 3000 mAh battery
• Coming to T-Mobile in the US

At a time when Microsoft’s Windows 10 Mobile operating system is in dire straits, the presence of OEMs can only serve but to bolster up the courage of the Windows faithful. However, its worth noting that this isn’t exactly a new thing for Microsoft’s Windows phone operating systems. Former Windows phone partners Samsung and HTC exclusively launched flagships for Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 8.1 operating systems based on their popular Android handsets in the USA, but gave up when they did not get the traction they desired.

Indeed a casual glance at Microsoft’s OEM partner lists show that partners like LG, YEZZ, Blu. HTC, Huawei (who now make impressive hardware), ZTE and even small times like Prestigio have now dropped out of the running where Windows phones are concerned with newer OEMs like Coship (who make the Moly X1 and Moly W5) publicly expressing uncertainty in the platform.

Microsoft’s Windows 10 partners may put out impressive hardware, and the software which powers the phones might even be good this time, but it’s the long-term commitment – not just from Microsoft who continue their retreat from the consumer market in earnest, but from OEMs and ISVs (Independent Software Makers or app vendors) that need to be present to really make these phones worth buying over a 2 year period. So far, that has yet to be shown.