Microsoft Surface Phone release date, specs, features: Device to feature all-new fingerprint detecting technology and top-notch specs?

A Microsoft logo is seen on an office building in New York City, July 28, 2015.Reuters/Mike Segar

Every high-end phone is sporting a fingerprint scanner, but Microsoft wants to be slightly different with its alleged Surface Phone. It is rumored that the company will try to build it with the security feature right on the display screen. It is also speculated that the post-Lumia phone will have high-end specs.

A patent titled "Fingerprint Detection with Transparent Cover" was filed to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The filing was submitted by Microsoft in February 2015. It was published on August 25, 2016, and it didn't escape eagle-eyed fans. The document reveals that the Redmond-based tech giant is planning to equip its upcoming products with a fingerprint scanner, but it does not want the said feature to be located on the back of the device nor on the home button. They want the feature integrated with the display screen.

The patent notes, "An electronic device includes a transparent cover and a light source disposed at an edge of the transparent cover. The light source is configured to inject light into the transparent cover. The transparent cover guides the light until interaction with a fingerprint ridge at the transparent cover. The electronic device further includes a filter disposed along the transparent cover. The filter is configured to selectively allow the light scattered by the fingerprint ridge to pass through the filter."

Meanwhile, it is anticipated that Microsoft will launch three different versions of its Surface Phone. The base model is said to have 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, while the mid-range model will contain 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space. For those with deeper pockets, the high-end model is rumored to have 8 GB of RAM and half a terabyte of storage, twice the size of the storage capacity of other smartphones in the market.

It is also rumored that the alleged Surface Phone will feature a 5.7-inch screen with 2K display resolution. It is also said to carry a 20-megapixel main camera, and it will be powered by a Snapdragon 830 chip. Several reports suggest that a media event will be scheduled in October for the unveiling of the alleged smartphone.