If you’re a cell phone client, odds are high that you use Android or iOS. While a couple of dissipated options exist, the versatile working framework scene is dominatingly overwhelmed by Google and Apple.
However, there was a time when Microsoft’s Windows Mobile OS offered a distinctive “Metro” tiled interface to smartphones, which, I’ll admit, remains one of my favorite phone UI designs to date (regardless of how rare that sentiment might be).
Yet, being ‘unique’ doesn’t always equate to being ‘excellent,’ and Microsoft’s endeavors were met with a mixed reception. While Windows Mobile had the potential to stand out, it never quite hit its stride.
The final iteration of this OS, Windows 10 Mobile, was released in March 2016. It marked the conclusive chapter for Windows in the mobile realm (excluding Windows 10X, tailored primarily for dual-screen devices), with no apparent signs of Microsoft rekindling its mobile OS aspirations anytime soon.
But what if it did? That’s the intriguing proposition recently posed by Indonesian concept graphic enthusiast AR 4789, who shared their vision for a contemporary Windows Mobile OS design: Windows 12 Mobile.
Windows 12 Mobile: A concept leaving me longing for Lumia
Although it diverges from the previous “Metro” design, I find myself captivated by how effectively this concept integrates the familiar Windows 11 interface onto a smaller device.
Remaining largely faithful to Windows 11’s current aesthetic, the concept introduces a quick start icon for Copilot and incorporates several anticipated features of Windows 12, such as the floating taskbar.
The result is a remarkably faithful adaptation of Microsoft’s operating system, condensed for mobile use. This proposal offers a highly intuitive design, allowing Windows users to envision seamlessly transitioning their tasks into the compact environment depicted in the artist’s nearly three-minute concept reel.
As devoted as I am to my Pixel daily driver, glimpsing the Windows 12 Mobile concept evokes a strong sense of nostalgia for the Lumia 950 XL — a standout offering from Nokia and Microsoft for Windows Mobile enthusiasts.
Boasting impressive performance, stellar camera capabilities, and a vibrant display, it represented a pinnacle in Windows Mobile innovation.
Regrettably, like many other Windows phones, the Lumia faced challenges due to the lack of developer adoption and issues with the implementation of Windows 10 Mobile. These setbacks, coupled with its mediocre battery life, ultimately left the Lumia struggling to compete in the market.
AR 4789’s concept sparked curiosity about the smartphone landscape had Microsoft remained committed to its Windows Mobile aspirations. Perhaps now, all that’s missing is a concept of the Lumia smartphone optimized for Windows 12 Mobile, igniting speculation about the untapped potential of what could have been.
