Windows Phone 8 SA launch dates, prices

HTC, Nokia, and Samsung Windows Phone 8 smartphones are coming to SA’s operators

Jan Vermeulen

October 31, 2012

The Windows Phone 8X by HTC will be part of Vodacom’s next deal run on 7 November 2012, and will be in MTN’s new dealbook on 16 November 2012, the head of HTC South Africa recently told MyBroadband.

Jon French, head of HTC’s Middle East and Africa operations, showed a 10 second television ad that will flight with Microsoft’s commercials showing contract pricing for the device.

According to the ad, the Windows Phone 8X will be R369 per month on a Vodacom Smart Standard 229 contract.

French went on to say that the devices will be available on 8ta, Cell C, MTN, and Vodacom, but that only MTN and Vodacom’s launch windows were confirmed.

The lower-cost Windows Phone 8S will be in South Africa by December 2012, French said.

Other Windows Phone 8 devices confirmed for South Africa are the new Nokia Lumia range and the Samsung Ativ S.

While Virgin Mobile said that it has no plans to range any of these devices, it will reconsider the Samsung Ativ S during Q1 2013.

Vodacom, on the other hand, said that it would be bringing in the Nokia Lumia 920 and Samsung Ativ S by the end of November 2012.

The network couldn’t confirm the launch of the Windows Phone 8S by HTC, and also said that pricing information will only be available when the devices launch.