Re: Fustrated with "No Flagship" complaints
Sorry OP, but another "no flagship" complaint is coming your way - This is a bit of a rant in terms of not only hardware, but software issues as well, so be advised...
I've been on the WP platform since 2011 when I bought an LG Quantum (was a great phone, fwiw) with WP7 on it. Loved it, thought it was a great upgrade from the Nokia E71 I'd been using prior to that. From there, moved to a Lumia 900, and from there a Lumia 925.
However I've decided that if we don't get a new WP flagship by years end, I'm jumping ship to an Android device. While I love the Windows OS, I've made concessions in my user experience to use it. The #1 being apps. I've either had to forgo any recent apps that have come out, be it gaming or productivity because they weren't released for WP - but I did because to me the OS was worth it. I had to lose not one, but two of the (VERY few available) mobile banking apps for the banks I hold accounts with - Bank of America, and Chase. Part of the reason I kept accounts with these banks was the availability of mobile apps for WP they (previously) offered. So now I'm left using Bing searches to locate even a simple ATM, which would be fine except I've had multiple instances of getting search results/directions to closed locations - some having been closed for YEARS.
I also use Google services, and have obviously had to make huge concessions in using those as well, seeing as even a Youtube app doesn't exist (I know of third party apps, ie Metrotube, but it has its share of issues). Was happy using Gooroovster, until that quit working for me too.
Don't even get me started with Amazon services.
I've had my L925 for quite some time, and recently cracked my screen. In search of new WP devices, I landed on this site. I saw the L640, and read about it only to see that Microsoft can't even figure out when the hell they want to release the device! Something as simple as a budget phone, and they've already dropped the ball on it! I completely understand that lining up carrier dates may be tricky, but there's no excuse for not having a date when you have Microsoft stores that can sell YOUR devices without carrier intervention! One merit I'll give the other major manufacturers is that they do tend to provide transparency with respect to availability and release. So instead of being happy that something is making its way down the pipeline, I'm left frustrated and wondering why I keep hanging on. I know that no one platform is without flaws, but something's gotta give. I believe it when I see others mentioning how they've held out but eventually moved on.
So, for me personally, I'm giving it 6 months for a flagship before I move on as well. I've been and still am a big Microsoft fan (even still own a Zune HD), but I'm done with the sub-par offerings they continue to provide for WP users.