Lenovo chief takes a swipe at Microsoft phone commitment

Gianfranco Lanci rules out future Windows-based Lenovo phones

Lenovo's president Gianfranco Lanci has ruled out Lenovo ever producing a Windows-based phone range.

Speaking in a keynote Q&A with Canalys CEO Steve Brazier at the analyst's annual Channels Forum event in Barcelona, Lanci (pictured) said he was unsure if Microsoft itself was committed to its phones.

"I'm not convinced that Microsoft is supporting Windows phones for the future," he said. "Windows 10 is a good operating system and will be a big opportunity in terms of refresh in the commercial space. But with the Windows phone, it is more difficult to see a future."

He said Lenovo would introduce its Android-based phones across Europe and that Motorola, which the firm acquired in 2014, would stay running as a subdivision of Lenovo. He also revealed that the vendor is looking into the possibility of rolling out a global channel programme in the near future.

But he said Lenovo was 100 per cent channel focused.

"We have been committed to the channel from day one," he said.

"In the future the channel will become even more important for us. It is important to strengthen relationships with the channel. It is very different now; it is a different user experience than in the past, as vendors like us never reach the users without the channel.

"We still have lot of opportunity in terms of growth; we don't want to miss a trick."