Whether Xiaomi will eventually manufacture Windows-based smartphones or not is still uncertain, but Microsoft has recently announced that it is going to collaborate with the Chinese tech giant to test its latest Windows 10 software, which is scheduled for launch this summer. This was revealed on Tuesday in a blogspot as a part of Microsoft's announcement for Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Shenzen, China.

According to IB Times, the post by Microsoft executive vice-president Terry Myerson read, "Through a new program with Xiaomi, one of the top smartphone distributors in the world, a select group of Xiaomi Mi 4 power users will be invited to help test Windows 10 and contribute to its future release later this year." The post went on to state, "These power users will have the opportunity to download the Windows 10 Technical Preview - installing it and providing their feedback to Microsoft."

Tech experts are of the view that Microsoft's choice to authorize Myerson, who is seen rising rapidly in the company following the July 2013 organizational restructuring, to make the announcement regarding the partnership with Xiaomi, is significant.

It is worth mentioning here that compared to Apple Inc.'s iPhones and Samsung's Galaxy smartphones, the Windows smartphones are nowhere in competition in the U.S. In fact, Microsoft's Windows smartphones primarily made by what was earlier known as Nokia, and a few other smartphone partners. Even in China, Windows smartphones are not popular.

On the contrary, Windows smartphones are somewhat niche products in India, and they are attracting a steady following. The popularity of Windows phones is expected to increase when the recently launched affordable Lumia models reach India along with Windows 10 upgrade. Xiaomi, on the other hand, is currently struggling to boost production to fulfill the demand even in the domestic market. As of now, it can only afford intermittent flash sales in markets like India, where demand for Xiaomi phones exceeds supply.

Hence, it is very likely that a partnership with Microsoft may eventually result in rising sales of Xiaomi's popular mid-range Mi4 smartphones running on Windows 10.