Upon the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S8, Microsoft announced it was going to be selling special editions featuring all of the company’s top mobile apps.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition was going to be sold in Microsoft’s brick and mortar stores in the United States. At the time it appeared Microsoft had come to an arrangement with Samsung to sell the phone preloaded with those apps.
However, Samsung has today confirmed the phone never existed, neither were there any plans for a Microsoft Edition of its flagship Galaxy handset.
Related: Best Smartphones
Instead, it appears Microsoft was simply helping customers who purchased a Galaxy S8 from them, get the phone working swimmingly with Microsoft’s suite of applications.
In a statement to Windows Central, a Samsung spokesperson wrote: “Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, and Galaxy Note8 devices are available in the Microsoft online and retail stores with a unique Microsoft experience which ensures their customers, particularly small-to-midsize business owners and entrepreneurs, a best-in-class productivity experience. There is not a ‘Microsoft Edition’ brand of any Samsung Galaxy products.”
With hindsight it all makes sense, mainly because Microsoft was only selling these devices through their physical stores, rather than online.
Back in March Microsoft said: “The new device customisation is an example of bringing together Microsoft applications on more devices so customers can work, play and connect from their pockets.”
So, there you have it. The Samsung Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition never existed. It was just Redmond’s way of optimizing the new smartphone to run its own apps.
What do you make of Microsoft’s positioning of the Galaxy S8 as a Microsoft Edition phone? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
