The return of the candybar: Images emerge of new Windows 10 Mobile handset with T9 keypad

Since Microsoft launched Windows 10 Mobile last year, all sorts of new devices have appeared running the OS - from low-cost handsets to high-end flagships, and even small tablets. But it looks like Windows 10 Mobile will soon be available in another form factor - a familiar blast from the past.

As MSPoweruser reports, Chinese manufacturer Keyever posted images on Weibo of a new handset with Microsoft's mobile OS featuring an old-school candybar design and a T9 alphanumeric keypad.

The device - which is shown in renders, rather than photos - is shown to have a 3.5-inch AMOLED screen with qHD (960x540px) resolution. The display offers Glance-style functionality, allowing to show information, such as the time or notifications, even while the screen is 'off'.

Below that, there are Back, Start and Cortana/Search physical buttons, as well as call start/end keys. Along with the standard T9 buttons, there are two further buttons marked 'A' and 'B', the purpose of which is unclear. It also appears to have a physical camera shutter button on the side.

The handset, which is shown in both black and white, is said to have a hexa-core processor and 3000mAh battery, as well as offering dual-SIM support.

Numerous candybar smartphones with T9 keypads were released over a decade ago running the 'old' Windows Mobile OS. Such handsets fell out of fashion with the rise of larger touchscreens, and more finger-friendly operating systems.

It's not clear if the device will be released anytime soon, or if the renders have simply been created to gauge interest among potential buyers. For now though, you can see a few more images showing the Keyever handset in the gallery below.

Source: MSPoweruser / Keyever (Weibo) via @hykenblue