Can't understate how important Verizon is to WP8!!

[snowmutt]

Just kinda got done surfing the rumored devices for Verizon's WP8 launches. As far as I can tell, the idea of 3 seperate handsets from 3 seperate companies keep coming up:

-A high end Nokia (most are saying pureview, but nothing confirmed yet).

-A mid range Samsung (most sketchy, most doubted).

-A HTC Trophy follow up (50/50 split between a high end Titan-type or a mid-range 4" screen option).

I sincerly hope and pray these are close to correct. There is a certain truth here: At over 100 million customers, Verizon is the top carrier in the US. There is no way WP gets any more momentum without Big Red in their corner.

WP has been out for 2 years now. They have seen their sales rise slowly and along the way have recieved a ton of positive buzz for their performance and overall dependability. AT&T has been great as a launching pad and T-Mobile support has been a great bonus. I feel happy that the high end Samsung Odyssey is headed to T-Mo according to other rumors. But just the addition of Verizon will, in my opinion, be good for at least a 3%-4% jump in sales in Q4 of this year. How GREAT would it be to see WP rise from 5% US sales to nearly 8% US sales, if not higher, in just one quarter??? How important will that be in handset manufacturers plans to make newer, more exciting devices for mid-2013 and the 2013 Holiday rush?

By 2013 end, WP needs to be in the 10%-15% sales to truly survive. Nokia needs HUGE numbers (40-50 million at least) to keep themselves in the WP camp. Samsung needs to see great sales (over 10 million??) to prove WP is worth it with Tizen slated to come out mid-2013. HTC is gasping for sales and will respond where ever success is. Strong WP devices will push them to more support of the OS. This would also effect so many others decisions as to how much they will support WP going foreward (ZTE, Huawei, Fujitsu, Lenovo, Sony, LG, Sprint, ECT).

Verizon is SO IMPORTANT to these goals. Some 35 million customers a year buy new devices at their stores. Not having a true device (no offense, Trophy owners) has hurt WP so bad. I cannot guess at what the worldwide or Canadian markets need to help WP thrive, but without Verizon WP is DOA in the US, doomed to under 7% sales. With them, a fighting chance exists.

I am cheering HARD for Verizon support and success.

 

[snowmutt]

Oh, and as an AT&T customer, I wouldn't mind having the option to bail and stay on WP if I want......

 

[scottcraft]

I can't wait for a top WP to be on Verizon. My upgrade is in March and I've been tempted to try to get it moved up, but I'll probably wait so I won't be tempted to get something that isn't top notch. Hopefully a Nokia PureView will be out by then.

 

[TrophyNostalgia]

Forward and Onward

I completely agree. Verizon, if motivated can be one of Windows Phone's biggest game changers. As an HTC Trophy owner, I must say it has been a wonderful and dependable device, but it has no game changing value by any means. There is little I have to show-case on it to any friends or colleagues on why they should switch to Windows Phone.

So many carriers have been hurt by Apple, many are even wanting a more competitive market to return power to the carriers. This should only be helping Windows Phone. While the carriers are in it for themselves, I feel a more competitive OS smart-phone marketplace will be good for everyone all around; for innovation, customization, and a challenging push amongst all to remain high quality and earn our loyalty as consumers. Verizon has been the best service I have seen anywhere in the US. Come Windows Phone 8 this year, I want to be able to show everyone that sexy Nokia beast strutting the Windows Phone software on the US's best wireless carrier. (or HTC and Samsung; I just feel Nokia will have the best chance on Verizon unless other manufacturers kick it in high gear.)

It doesn't mean Verizon is everything. ATT has been great at really investing in Windows Phone. But, Windows Phone cannot become dependent on one carrier. There are many reasons to keep a diversified carrier option. Many people don't have the option to switch to various carriers due to service quality, availability, or other reasons. Keeping a large front is best not only for market face value, but to also make Windows Phone available to everyone. Some glimpses at Windows Phone 8 do have me worried this year. Sprint seems to have no concern for Windows Phone (evidenced by their lack of intent to sport any Windows Phone 8 device at launch this year). When a major carrier doesn't even notice Windows Phone, that makes me question. Verizon, if they only give a half-hearted effort I feel will before long back out unless they invest in Windows Phone like ATT has. It's not to say forget Android, it is a respectable system and does very well with Verizon. But make Windows Phone noticeable and desirable!

As I said before I love my Verizon HTC Trophy, and because I'm not picky and don't need the flashy tech for my needs I will be more than satisfied with a "mid-range" Windows Phone 8 device on Verizon (one with better specs than the HTC Trophy). But if there are no high-end WP8 devices on Verizon, I do feel that Windows Phone will truly struggle to solidify itself as competitive OS in the smartphone market. Just do it Verizon. If we wait until after BB10 is released I feel Windows Phone will have lost it's greatest chance for traction. Windows Phone has a chance to be great now, go for it.

 

[Reflexx]

I have a feeling that Nokia's top device will be AT&T exclusive for at least six months. And their mid-range will be available on Verizon at launch.

My guess is that Verizon's high end Windows Phone will be either an HTC or Samsung device. Probably both.

I think AT&T will be really pushing Nokia to be exclusive for the top end. In return they'll do another big marketing push.

Samsung is big for Verizon. I'm sure they would prefer to not have Nokia's top end device to compete with near launch. Give Samsung time to establish themselves as the top WP provider on Verizon. I'm sure they're negotiating this with Verizon.

 

[snowmutt]

@TrophyNostalgia- excellent post.

@Winning Guy- No problem at all with that scenario. Give Nokia AT&T to go all in on their top end WP, and give Verizon a high end Samsung or HTC to push. Both carriers get a mid range WP or two. If this is all reality by December-ish, there is no way WP doesn't show improvement in sales.

@scottcraft- Will you be okay with a top end 4.7" HTC Trophy II or a 4.8" Samsung? Could you wait until March without driving your Trophy through your head?

 

[12Danny123]

I have a feeling that Nokia's top device will be AT&T exclusive for at least six months. And their mid-range will be available on Verizon at launch.

My guess is that Verizon's high end Windows Phone will be either an HTC or Samsung device. Probably both.

I think AT&T will be really pushing Nokia to be exclusive for the top end. In return they'll do another big marketing push.

Samsung is big for Verizon. I'm sure they would prefer to not have Nokia's top end device to compete with near launch. Give Samsung time to establish themselves as the top WP provider on Verizon. I'm sure they're negotiating this with Verizon.

I can see Samsung Clearly competing with Nokia with wp.using Verizon( But it will be very hard) But it depends on which device they need. But if Samsung uses the the Samsung Odyssey for multiple carriers. Then they are fine. But not sure about HTC though. T-mobile?

But for the marketing push for AT&T. I really think it's a much much bigger push than the 900 push
for Verizon. there was rumours that they want a third OS and they will push Wp8 similar to the droid campaign

 

[KingCrimson]

2013 is "make or break" for Windows Phone. If it doesn't capture a large market share, it's over.

 

[snowmutt]

2013 is "make or break" for Windows Phone. If it doesn't capture a large market share, it's over.

Not sure about over. But if we do not see a good increase in marketshare, there will be some depressing results. Wouldn't be surprised if Stephen Elop is removed as CEO of Nokia and WP may go the way of Symbian with them. Samsung may very well just push Tizen (unless it is poorly recieved), and HTC may just see it as a hobby.

In other words, WP may just always be in the "other" catagory in those Smartphone Sales Charts. That would really bum me out.

 

[12Danny123]

2013 is "make or break" for Windows Phone. If it doesn't capture a large market share, it's over.

Are you always negative?

 

[Reflexx]

2013 is "make or break" for Windows Phone. If it doesn't capture a large market share, it's over.

I completely disagree.

WP only needs to get to a respectable 7-10% by the end of 2013.

WP doesn't exist in a vacuum. It is one element in a larger ecosystem. An ecosystem that may take a while to catch on. But also an ecosystem that MS is completely invested in making work.

As long as they're able to show growth, it's a good sign.

 

[11B1P]

My contract on Verzion is eligible for upgrade around March 2013 as well. Problem is, the new all-inclusive plans. I've compared the new plans to my current plan and I can't save any money on the new plan, especially when I have unlimited data now.

As much as I'm looking forward to seeing Verizon increase their line of WP offerings, I can't (won't) afford to purchase a phone outright in order to keep my current plan. Other than that, I will have to wait several more months until the newer phones come down in price and I can get one off ebay. So I will see my upgrade date come and go. Provided my Trophy is still running along.

How many other Verizon customers are in the same boat as me? Maybe several. The new all-inclusive plans may hurt sales in the long run.

 

[snowmutt]

I completely disagree.

WP only needs to get to a respectable 7-10% by the end of 2013.

WP doesn't exist in a vacuum. It is one element in a larger ecosystem. An ecosystem that may take a while to catch on. But also an ecosystem that MS is completely invested in making work.

As long as they're able to show growth, it's a good sign.

I agree, of course. For Microsoft. But Nokia cannot afford to keep their investors at bay if they do not have a great year, so from that perspective we need 2013 to be a huge year.

Again, I do not want to pretend to act like I know what Nokia needs to do in other markets around the world to light a fire under their sales. I just know they need a device, and a good one, on Big Red.

Besides if we are talking worldwide sales, 7% - 10% would be a huge growth spurt for Mr. and Mrs. Microsoft's bundle of joy.....

 

[scottcraft]

@snowmutt: Actually I'm not using my Trophy right now. I bought an HTC Rezound used because of glitches with my Trophy and poor reception. If Verizon releases a high end HTC in the 4.7 to 4.8" range I will definitely check it out. I will check out a Samsung too, but I'm cautious about a Samsung because their devices usually don't do as good in the reception department as others. Of course a PureView would be my first choice, but we will see. Usually once I'm eligible to upgrade I can't wait, so we will see what happens!

@wbdillworth: I'm in the same boat as you. I'll probably switch to the 6Gb shared plan. I use around 3 Gb a month and my wife uses less than one, so 6 will give a bit of a cushion and be around the same price as I'm paying now. I don't use enough data to justify buying my phones off contract.

 

[Winterfang]

Are you always negative?

There's nothing positive to say about Windows Phone right now. The situation it is make it or break it.

I don't know why the secrecy though, I want to see if the pureview windows phone 8 exists and if it's going to be on t-mobile. I don't care how much I hate Windows Phone right now, the camera alone is worth it.

 

[jimski]

2013 is "make or break" for Windows Phone. If it doesn't capture a large market share, it's over.

Then I guess I will be sinking with the ship. Ahoy mate. Still loving my L900.

Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express Pro

 

[wolf1891]

Are you always negative?

yes... he is... just put him on your "ignore" list.

 

[Gungzwei]

My contract on Verzion is eligible for upgrade around March 2013 as well. Problem is, the new all-inclusive plans. I've compared the new plans to my current plan and I can't save any money on the new plan, especially when I have unlimited data now.

As much as I'm looking forward to seeing Verizon increase their line of WP offerings, I can't (won't) afford to purchase a phone outright in order to keep my current plan. Other than that, I will have to wait several more months until the newer phones come down in price and I can get one off ebay. So I will see my upgrade date come and go. Provided my Trophy is still running along.

How many other Verizon customers are in the same boat as me? Maybe several. The new all-inclusive plans may hurt sales in the long run.

I'm in the same boat. I want to keep my unlimited data plan, so hopefully the new devices will be coming down in price around Feb. - Mar. Especially since sharing my internet connection is possible with the latest update.

 

[Reflexx]

There's nothing positive to say about Windows Phone right now. The situation it is make it or break it.

I don't know why the secrecy though, I want to see if the pureview windows phone 8 exists and if it's going to be on t-mobile. I don't care how much I hate Windows Phone right now, the camera alone is worth it.

There's plenty positive to say.

Just take off the doom and gloom glasses.

You don't personally have to be the one to say it. But claiming that there's nothing positive just sounds like you're severely over reacting.

 

[snowmutt]

There's nothing positive to say about Windows Phone right now. The situation it is make it or break it.

I don't know why the secrecy though, I want to see if the pureview windows phone 8 exists and if it's going to be on t-mobile. I don't care how much I hate Windows Phone right now, the camera alone is worth it.

Winterfang, Winterfang, Winterfang....

How can you have such a happy, smiling avatar which brings joy to the forum, and yet be so irratated?

I do not want to go into the "WP doesn't have this, WP doesn't have that" debates. We all know WP 8 is coming, we all know it will bring all kinds of improvements, more than Mango brought to the pre-nodo WP 7.

I want to see Verizon and it's customers have a chance to truly see the potential of this OS. I want it to happen because I am a self centered greedy jerk. WP offers all the things I want in a smartphone, and I want it to be around to continue to improve and evolve. I know from your posts you too are excited, or at least open minded, to WP 8. But we need it to be on all 4 carriers, we need great device options and we need new devices every few months to compete with Andriods army. Otherwise we all lose. Competition is good.