Windows smartphones in Tokyo. (Photo/Xinhua)

Sources from Foxconn suppliers say the world's largest contract manufacturer has received orders from Microsoft and Amazon for smartphones to be launched in the middle of next year. Foxconn has declined to comment on the report.

Microsoft reportedly plans to launch its own-brand smartphones following the launch of its Surface tablet PC. The smartphone will use the Windows 8 operating system, according to technology news websites eWeek and Digitimes.

Sources quoted by iFanr, a Chinese technology news website, also reported that Foxconn has been manufacturing Microsoft's Windows 8 smartphone, according to Digitimes.