Microsoft partly subsidizes HTC Windows Phone 8X and 8S

Oct 8, 2012 14:31 GMT  ·  By

There’s been much talk on Nokia’s decision to launch the Lumia 920 exclusively through one carrier in most countries.

Although the Finnish company did not sign exclusivity contracts for the Lumia 820 as well, most media think this is a mistake.

A mistake that will probably lead to low Lumia 920 sales, but we will have to wait and see if Nokia’s marketing move will be successful or not.

Anyway, it appears that Microsoft guru MS_nerd has it that Nokia agreed to launch the Lumia 920 in the United States exclusively via AT&T with one condition. Well, it looks like the carrier has been compelled to completely subsidize the Nokia Lumia 920.

In the same piece of news, Microsoft will be partly subsidizing the HTC Windows Phone 8X and 8S in the US. So far, both smartphones have been confirmed by three US carriers, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

The reason behind Microsoft’s decision to partly cover HTC’s subsidy for its smartphones is the Redmond-based company’s desires to set it Windows Phone platform apart from the Lumia lineup.

Nokia Lumia 920 has already been confirmed in North America by two carriers, AT&T in the US and Rogers in Canada. The smartphone is expected to hit shelves in early November for prices that will be disclosed closer to launch.

Both HTC Windows Phone 8 handsets will go on sale around the same timeframe, though we’re still waiting for more confirmations from carriers.

Pity that Windows Phone enthusiasts will have to choose between grabbing the HTC Windows Phone 8X from their favorite carrier, or go for the Nokia Lumia 920 even though they hate AT&T or Rogers.

Hopefully, the exclusivity period for the Lumia 920 will end in just a few months, though we doubt customers will want to wait so much time to get their favorite Windows Phone device.