Samsung is currently stuck in a legal battle with Microsoft, following a royalties battle on Android smartphones. If this legal battle is settled, Samsung may bring a Windows Phone to market, according to a new report.
The Korea Times report says Samsung is working on a budget handset capable of running Windows Phone, but may scrap plans if Microsoft continues to fight the legal battle against Samsung.
“Samsung has run pilot programs on the stability of Windows 8.1 software on devices. It is interested in promoting Windows mobiles. If the companies settle their litigation, then Samsung will manufacture handsets powered by the Microsoft-developed mobile platform. The timing could be the third quarter of this year at the earliest.”
It is not clear if Samsung has made this known to Microsoft, and whether this could be part of the settle figure. Microsoft has been noted as a direct competitor by Samsung, due to the $7.2 billion (£4.7 billion) acquisition of Nokia.
Samsung’s previous Windows Phone devices have been less than impressive, taking the exact same design as the Galaxy S range on Android and changing the name to fit its ATIV Windows range.
However, a budget handset with the Samsung brand could attract millions of customers in Asia, Africa and Latin America, regions Microsoft are currently targeting with Windows Phone.
Windows Phone faced its worst year in the developed world, dropping from 4.3 to 3 percent in the U.S. and 9.8 to 8.7 percent in Europe, only becoming more popular in Germany.
Developing nations have also been apathetic to Windows Phone, China’s market share dropped from 2.6 to 0.6 percent year-on-year, and results from India and Indonesia are less than impressive.
Samsung has not commented on the report, Microsoft declined to comment.
