Microsoft, Intel join forces on low-cost Windows 10 phones

Right now you can’t buy Windows-based handsets that run on Intel chips, but that will change later this year with the mobile version of Windows 10.

Microsoft’s recent Windows Phone OSes worked only with ARM-based processors from Qualcomm. Though Windows 10 will also work on ARM systems, compatibility with Intel x86 chips breaks that exclusivity.

The Windows 10 mobile OS will run on handsets and so-called phablets powered by Intel’s upcoming Atom X3 chips, code-named Sofia, announced by the chip maker at the Mobile World Congress trade show.

Devices with the X3 chips will be priced from under $75 to $249. The X3 chips will also be offered in Android handsets.

Intel had been toying with the idea of supporting Windows Phone, but up to has been underwhelmed by the OS’s adoption. Intel, still struggling in the smartphone market, backed Android because of its widespread adoption.

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