Following last week’s announcement it is set to cut 18,000 staff and take the axe to the former Nokia product line, there has been speculation about Microsoft’s plans for its Windows Phone smartphone business.

According to The Verge, the company has two new mid-to-high tier devices in the pipeline, with suggestions these may see the light “very soon”.

One device, codenamed ‘Tesla’, was described somewhat contradictorily as an “affordable high-end phone”, with suggestions it will replace the Lumia 720. The headline feature will be a PureView camera, taking one of the Lumia range’s distinguishing features to a lower price point.

And the company is also reported to be joining the ‘selfie-phone’ bandwagon, with a device featuring a 5MP front-facing camera and 4.7-inch screen. This unit is decribed as “mid-range”.

WPCentral published some details of updates likely to come in the next version of Windows Phone, many of which will support different hardware configurations.

This will add support for 1280×800 pixel (WXGA) resolution screens, and for 1280×768 pixel (WXGA) resolution screens at sizes between six and seven inches – large phablet devices.

Dual-SIM devices can now support both CDMA- and GSM-family radios, a feature which may prove especially appealing for international roamers using CDMA in their home markets.

VoLTE support is also listed.

Other changes will see the introduction of folders and support for manufacturer custom lock screens.