Microsoft will only be having AT&T sell its new flagship smartphones in the United States, as according to people familiar with the plans of the carriers, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile have no intentions of selling the Lumia 950 and the Lumia 950 XL.
The Lumia 950 and the Lumia 950 XL are the first flagship-level smartphones powered by Windows in over a a year and a half. The devices are also the first marquee smartphones under Microsoft under the Lumia brand, which was acquired by Microsoft along with its purchase of the mobile phone business of Nokia last year.
The Lumia 950 and the Lumia 950 XL are Microsoft's latest attempt in increasing the relevance of Windows in the cutthroat smartphone industry, which are dominated by rivals Apple and Samsung.
Launching the Lumia 950 and the Lumia 950 XL on more than one carrier would allow Microsoft to have a wider distribution of the devices and the chance to reach more customers in marketing for the Lumia smartphones. However, it would seem that Microsoft has instead decided to pin its hopes of expanding its presence in the United States smartphone market to AT&T.
AT&T, meanwhile, has not commented on selling the Lumia 950 XL, with the carrier only committing to sell the Lumia 950.
A previous report revealed that the deal between Microsoft and AT&T for the selling of the Lumia 950 is not exclusive, allowing the possibility for the other carriers in the United States to sell the two new Lumia smartphones. In addition, reports claim that carriers were interested in selling the devices, but Microsoft gave them the cold shoulder.
However, there are reports claiming that Microsoft likely does not want to spend money that would be required to provide CDMA versions of the Lumia devices to Sprint and Verizon. T-Mobile CEO John Legere, on the other hand, tweeted that Microsoft simply decided to give the device to AT&T, and that T-Mobile never turned down the opportunity to sell the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL.
Customers interested in acquiring either the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL will not have to fret as much though, as unlocked versions of the devices can be purchased directly from Microsoft. However, these smartphones will not enjoy the many promotions and offers given by the carriers in conjunction with the devices that they offer.
In addition, unlocked Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL smartphones will only work with AT&T and T-Mobile subscriptions.
