The only phones left on the Microsoft Store website run Android

It was bound to happen. After all, no reasonable company would expect to keep two smartphones available forever, particularly those that run Windows 10 Mobile. Still, it is a bit sad to see that the Microsoft Store solely sells Android smartphones.

It was inevitable, seeing how the two remaining vestiges of Microsoft’s mobile ambitions were the two-year-old HP Elite x3 and Alcatel Idol 4S. Neither smartphone gained any significant foothold in the market, which led to significant price cuts.

Perhaps some poor souls wanted to remember what it was like when there was a third smartphone operating system. Perhaps they saw that $300 for the Elite x3, $100 for the Idol 4S, and $169 for the Idol 4S with VR goggles were prices too good to pass up. Either way, Microsoft no longer sells Windows 10 Mobile smartphones.

In their place are the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, and Razer Phone. You do not have to read between the lines or be a psychic to see that Microsoft might prefer it this way.

After all, the company offers many of its services on Android in the hopes of expanding its ecosystem. Even offerings like the Edge browser, SMS Organizer, Microsoft Launcher, and Microsoft Translator are available for free on Android.

This is a strategy that aligns with Microsoft’s refocusing on the cloud and decision to eradicate its mobile attempts. This is also a strategy that could give birth to Microsoft’s modular and slimmed-down Core OS.

If you still want to give Windows 10 Mobile a try, resellers on Amazon and eBay should still have plenty of devices available. There is also a chance that Microsoft has some stock left, since listings for the Elite x3 and Idol 4S are still up.

If you are ready to move on, however, check out our list of the best Android smartphones for some better ideas.