14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently unveiled its first Windows 10 smartphones, the Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 550. The first two will be available for purchase beginning November, while the other one should be out just in time for the holiday season.
While both flagship smartphones, Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, will be available in Europe in just about every country at all major carriers, customers in the United States will only be able to grab either of the two from AT&T solely.
According to CNET, a Microsoft official has confirmed that both Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL will be exclusive to AT&T, which means the second largest carrier in the US will be the only place where customers will be able to grab the Windows 10 smartphones.
A continuation of the partnership between Nokia and AT&T?
The official has also said that the smartphones will be available in the US sometime in November, but AT&T has only announced the upcoming availability of Lumia 950 earlier today.
It appears that the partnership between Microsoft and AT&T is a continuation of the relationship between the US-based carrier and Nokia.
Microsoft believes that “it will get more of a focused promotional push of its devices” if it uses just a single carrier in the United States.
So, T-Mobile, Verizon or Sprint customers that were hoping to be able to purchase the Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL through their favorite carriers will see their hopes crumbled to dust, if the information provided by the Microsoft's official proves to be accurate.
Hopefully, the other smartphone announced by Microsoft earlier today, the Lumia 550, will be introduced in the US through multiple carriers.
If the affordable Windows 10 Mobile handset is just another exclusive, many will probably question Microsoft's marketing strategy for the US. Stay tuned for more updates on the matter.
Update: CNET updated their article and now claim that the deal between Microsoft and AT&T for the new Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL smartphones is not an exclusive one.