Microsoft hasn't formally announced the Microsoft Surface Phone but that hasn't stopped tech tipsters from speculating when it will be out. 

And the latest batch of rumors point to a release by the tech giant in March 2017.  Microsoft hasn't exactly blazed a trail in the smartphone sector.  Despite buying Nokia, the Washington-based tech company has made only minimal impact on the sector, failing to pull significant market share away from Apple and Samsung.

But it is possibly hedging a new bet for success built on the popularity of its Surface tablets and a comment by chief marketing officer Chris Capossela suggests they're interested in turning this cash cow into an opportunity to reboot their smartphone ventures.

He suggested that the success of the Microsoft Surface tablet lines makes it a good time to bring out a smartphone to complement them.  

While there has been no official comment from Microsoft, the rumor mill suggests the next Surface Phone is indeed in development and has been for some time already.

There are rumors that the unofficial mobile phone will come in three different variants, with an entry-level handset offering upwards of 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of storage space.

A midrange Surface Phone will reportedly come with 6 GB RAM and up to 128 GB data, while the premium device will pack in 8 GB RAM and 512 GB.

Another rumor is circulating around what would be a rather interesting addition - a keyboard similar to that of the Microsoft Surface tablet.  

March is the latest rumor but bear in mind it is just a rumor and it would completely contradict previous reports that Microsoft will unveil the Surface Phone together with the Surface Book 2 and Surface Pro 5 at the IFA in Berlin in October.

Windows Central speculated that the Surface wouldn't necessarily be looking to rival other smartphone lines with specs, but instead try and carve its own space by being "the most secure and productivity-focused phone" around.