Microsoft and its OEM partners have confirmed the top-of-the-range Windows Phone 8 handsets will all go on sale in SA this month.
The handsets that will be available include the Windows Phone 8X from HTC, the Lumia 920 from Nokia, and the Ativ S from Samsung.
Speaking yesterday at a press event in Johannesburg, HTC's head of operations for Middle East and Africa, Jon French, confirmed the flagship Windows Phone 8X would be available on both the MTN and Vodacom networks by mid-November.
The handset will be released across all carriers, but French said HTC was still waiting for a commitment from Cell C and 8ta. He added that the mid-range Windows Phone 8S would be available locally in December.
While exact dates and full pricing details for all the Windows Phone 8 devices have not yet been released, a Vodacom advert due to flight in the coming weeks shows the Windows Phone 8X will be available on a R369pm Smart Standard 229 contract.
Nokia also confirmed last week that the Lumia 920 will be available on both MTN and Vodacom in November. The mid-range Lumia 820 is also expected to become available before year-end.
MTN stated last week that it would bring Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 devices to SA, in November, followed by Ghana and Nigeria, in December.
Microsoft SA's operator channel executive, Anthony Doherty, believes Windows Phone 8 is carving out a unique identity for Microsoft in the smartphone market. "This has been a long time coming."
Doherty continues: "We honestly believe that Windows Phone 8 offers the most personalised smartphone experience on the planet. The individual is placed at the centre, rather than the apps. Since the iPhone launched five years ago, we have seen the same grid-like static app icons on all smartphones. Windows Phone 8 is the most dynamic OS out there.
"We also believe Windows Phone 8 has the best hardware on the market, with our three partner OEMs, Samsung, Nokia and HTC."
As for users who currently have Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 devices, Microsoft says the Windows Phone 7.8 update is forthcoming. Doherty said Microsoft is currently focusing on the Windows Phone 8 message and cannot offer any further details about the update at this stage.
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