The One M9 is coming in October with Windows 10. The LG G4 is also supposed to be coming with Windows 10. There's some talk that the Moto X may also get Windows. Verizon is also trying to get Samsung to make a Verizon only version of the Galaxy S6 with Windows in an attempt to spur interest.
Hmmm... I would possibly go with the G4. It does RAW capture, and it looks like it is 4K video capable too. Although the screen is a leeetle big for my taste.
The HTC One M9 looks nice too. It has a higher resolution camera (20MP) and can do 4K video as well.
We'll see.
If both were offered with Windows 10, I think I would go with either of those. This fits in nicely with Nadella's strategy. Let OEM's produce Windows Mobile devices and we will fill in the gaps.
Like I said, I love my Icon and if Verizon were to offer a new flagship Lumia, then I'd go for it. If not, and somebody like LG or HTC offers a flagship Windows Mobile device on Verizon, that is comparable to Lumia, then I could see my self jumping to a new OEM. I still get to stay in the Microsoft ecosystem and get a really good device to boot. So I think that would be a win-win.
Microsoft is not losing out by not making a new Lumia for Verizon. They still benefit significantly, with other OEMs producing Windows Mobile devices. It fits in with its strategy...AND it is really going back to its core. Providing an excellent OS for other OEMs to incorporate into their devices. Something that Microsoft is REALLY good at doing. Something that both Bill Gates understood and Satya Nadella understands, but Ballmer didn't really grasp.
In a nutshell. Does it matter WHO makes flagship Windows Mobile devices? Not really, no. It's about the Windows ecosystem as a whole.
In the '90's and early 2000's, it was all about Dell, HP, Gateway, Acer, Toshiba, and numerous other desktop/laptop OEMs. Now in the 21st Century it's about all of those plus HTC, LG, Samsung, Microsoft, and other tablet/phone OEMs.