Microsoft reported that it sold 2.3 million Lumia handsets last quarter, compared with 8.6 million sales during the same quarter a year ago. This equates a drop in sales by 73% year-over-year, and by 49% compared with last quarter’s 4.5 million sales.

Microsoft.com reported a few days ago its quarterly earnings. The Surface range showed revenues rising by 61% to $1.1 billion. But sales of its Lumia handsets are dire. The above figures mean according to Gartner that its market share has dropped to just 1.1%. It really begs the question, how long before Microsoft throws the towel in and stops selling the Lumia phones for good? It the slide continues, probably within a year.

The only saviour might come from the Surface Phone that won’t run Windows 10 mobile but a full version of the Windows 10 software. Maybe universal apps can take off? These are all big maybes and all the time iOs and android is flying ahead.