Microsoft Surface Phone name pops up on benchmarks, shown running Windows Phone 8

The Microsoft Surface tablet was Microsoft’s answer to a growing frustration with uninspiring designs from vendors, and now Redmond might be readying a Microsoft Surface Phone. A device under the Surface Phone codename running on Windows Phone 8 surfaced on WP benchmark WP Bench.

Will Microsoft dare release its own Surface Phone, though? Its partners were definitely not happy that now they have to compete with the software giant, but for Redmond developing such a handset might mean securing a back-up plan in case Nokia’s flagship Windows Phone devices don’t get the much needed traction for the platform.

Still, this could upset a lot of phone makers which might turn out to be damaging to Microsoft’s Windows Phone mobile operating system.