Today is the day Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) and HTC Corp (TPE:2498) are releasing their versions of the Windows 8 smartphone. The phones are now available through Verizon Communications Inc.(NYSE:VZ) and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), and next week T-Mobile will release their own device.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) will sell HTC Corp (TPE:2498)’s Windows Phone 8X, as well as Nokia’s Lumia 920, and Lumia 820. The phones will be available in stores and online. The HTC Windows Phone 8X is sold in two colors, including LimeLight Yellow (available in 8GB) and CaliforniaBlue (available in 8GB or 16GB). All 8GB versions start at $99.99 and 16GB start at $199.99.
The Lumia 920 is available in several colors and one storage option of 32GB. This device starts at $99.99. The Lumia 820 is also available in either black or white for $49.99.
Verizon Communications Inc.(NYSE:VZ) will sell the HTC 8X and Lumia 822. Both devices are currently available for preorder and are set to ship November 13th. The HTC 8X starts at $199.99 and the Lumia 822 starts at $99.99.
Next week, T-Mobile will offer HTC Corp (TPE:2498) 8X and Lumia 810. Both phones are available on the post-paid plan. The former is available for $199.99 and the latter is available for $149.99.
The Windows 8 phones should help drive more sales to all three carriers this upcoming holiday season. So far, Sprint has yet to join the Windows 8 phone bandwagon, as they’re waiting to see what happens.
These Windows-based phones should provide a little competition for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94), but not much. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) fails to make a big splash in the smartphone market and I doubt these new phones will change that. People just aren’t interested in Windows-based phones. Although the new Windows 8 phones have some impressive features, it’s not enough to compare with the higher-end models from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) or Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94). If these new Windows 8 phones sell better than expected, it will be surprising. It’s hard for any mobile company to compete with the likes of Apple or Samsung, but you’ve got to give them a little credit for trying.
