Nokia & HTC To Launch Windows Phone 8 Devices In December In China

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Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) in partnership with China Mobile is expected to launch its Windows Phone 8 devices on December 6 in Guangzhou, China, while HTC Corp (TPE:2498) is scheduled to launch its Windows Phone 8 products the following day, according to the report from WPDang.

Nokia & HTC To Launch Windows Phone 8 Devices In December In China

According to Chinese technology observers, the attitude of mobile device manufacturers towards the Chinese market is improving. They believe manufacturers view the Chinese market with the same level of importance compared with U.S. and the European markets. Observers noted that manufacturers are launching their products in China just one month after their official introduction in the market.

Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) is expected to show off the Lumia 920 & Lumia 820, while the HTC 8X, and HTC 8S for HTC Corp (TPE:2498). Obviously, the two companies are competing to gain a leading position in the Windows Phone ecosystem in China.

The report cited that the price of the Lumia 920 is higher than HTC 8x, and the Lumia 820 is higher than HTC 8S. The price of the Lumia 820 and HTC 8X is almost the same level. According to technology observers, Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) will be able to defend its price offering for the Lumia 920 because it has a superior camera and screen; however, consumers might think twice in purchasing the product, due to financial reasons since the economy in China is also slowing down.

The report also cited that launching of the Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 in partnership with China Mobile means competition in the black market is less, because some of the features of the Lumia 920 is unique, such as the TD-SCDMA (3G) network. It is incompatible with CDMA 2000 and WCDMA networks in China.

With its existing partnership with Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK), Mobile China will now be able to provide a better option for its mobile subscribers with the Lumia Windows phone devices. Before, its subscribers have no option except to choose from the carriers who had available 3G phones in stores.

HTC Corp (TPE:2498) will have an advantage against Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) if its Windows Phone 8 devices are unlocked for GSM for China Mobile and China Unicom. Generally, the phones sold to China are unlocked, unlike in the United States and other markets.

Last month, Gartner Research analyst Roger Sheng commented that Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) will crush its competitors in China, particularly HTC. According to him, “It’s not just about the number of distribution channels, but also the product portfolio.”

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