Are there any new windows phones in the works for 2017?

[JOSELL44]

Seriously... I think my One M8 is starting to die and I don't want the 735. I refuse to use Android which leaves me with an iPhone to choose from... I don't really want that either.

[Ann154]

Complain to Microsoft for not making any CDMA capable phones.

[demmo86rt]

Windows Mobile is pretty much dead. Such low demand has given OEMs little reason to release Windows phones.

[Alexvrb]

If you feel very strongly about it, there are Windows Mobile devices that run on other carriers. The best one out there is the HP Elite X3. The Alcatel IDOL 4S seems like a close second, on paper at least. Other than that the Acer Liquid Jade Primo and the Lumia 950 / 950XL are nice. They're all still available... but not on Verizon.

Also, it's not as simple as "this radio has CDMA so it will run on Verizon now lulz". If Verizon doesn't want a phone on their network, good luck forcing them to allow your device. I do not care what the FCC rules say at a high level. They have numerous methods of recourse even with regards to those rules. There's a reason they haven't released a device with CDMA and the right LTE bands - no device to date has run on Verizon prior to receiving their blessing. The only way you're likely to see a high end Windows 10 Mobile device on Verizon again is if MS kisses VZW's posterior while simultaneous releasing a Surface HoloLens Ultra phone or something.

Maybe MS should just start buying shares of all the major carriers.

[demmo86rt]

If you have an already activated Verizon SIM that fits, you may be able to pop it in and have the device work.  However, you may have a difficult time finding a device with the right bands.

[Tidbits]

Alexvrb wrote:

If you feel very strongly about it, there are Windows Mobile devices that run on other carriers. The best one out there is the HP Elite X3. The Alcatel IDOL 4S seems like a close second, on paper at least. Other than that the Acer Liquid Jade Primo and the Lumia 950 / 950XL are nice. They're all still available... but not on Verizon.

Also, it's not as simple as "this radio has CDMA so it will run on Verizon now lulz". If Verizon doesn't want a phone on their network, good luck forcing them to allow your device. I do not care what the FCC rules say at a high level. They have numerous methods of recourse even with regards to those rules. There's a reason they haven't released a device with CDMA and the right LTE bands - no device to date has run on Verizon prior to receiving their blessing. The only way you're likely to see a high end Windows 10 Mobile device on Verizon again is if MS kisses VZW's posterior while simultaneous releasing a Surface HoloLens Ultra phone or something.

Maybe MS should just start buying shares of all the major carriers.

The FCC forces Verizon to allow any of the phones that work on their network work.  It's been discussed over and over.  Block C rules Verizon has to hands the keys to manufacturers if they want to make it work, and they have to open source said standards.  YES it's that simple.   Microsoft chose not to pay Qualcomm licensing for CDMA, and also chose not to add band 13 to their Lumina 950/XL.  Verizon has to show with proof why a device shouldn't be on their network to the FCC if they don't want it on their network.  Show me where Microsoft made it work and show me where Verizon told the FCC why it didn't.  FYI this is in the block C rules

Hope to see a counter argument that we haven't been heard before or something tangible and not speculation.

[TIMNEW93]

I have a Lumia 735 and it's a good phone.  You can't beat it for the price -- I tried a comparable Android and sent it back.

That said, if Verizon doesn't allow any more Windows phones next time I come up for renewal we are leaving Verizon.  What is so disgusting to me is that Windows is probably the best phone operating system, but it was boycotted into oblivion by Google and Verizon.  I wish these big tech companies would go back to putting the customers first and quit worrying about their little turf wars.

[Ann154]

The problem isn't that Verizon isn't allowing new Windows phones. The problem is that the manufacturers are not making phones compatible with the Verizon Wireless network.

[mama23dogs]

Windows and Blackberry can walk off into the sunset together.  Neither is going to the expense to get a CDMA version FCC approval. 

Even ATT has no plans to take on a flagship version of either OS because they dont sell.  The BB Priv was a mess from the start. 

The HP Elite x3 can be purchased from MS and is GSM only.  The reviews by those running on ATT are phenomenal.  It's the intimate windows phone and was marketed to the business user. 

[TIMNEW93]

...and on cue, Verizon drops the one Windows phone it still had.  Now there are NO Windows phones for Verizon customers at all.

By the way, from my understanding both CDMA and GSM are upgrading to the new 4G LTE technology, so Verizon COULD allow Windows phones on its network--all it has to do is allow a band that Windows phones use.

I do blame Verizon for this debacle.  People need a choice other than Google (which has a business model of helping themselves to their customers' information) and Apple (which is and always will be a niche product).  If Verizon cared about their customers they would give them as many options as possible.  Instead, it appears Verizon is in bed with Google--Verizon has not allowed a new Windows phone on its network since 2014 and now there are none available at all.  That's not good because Google now has a stranglehold on the availability of information, and it's only getting worse. 

[demmo86rt]

It's not a matter of allowing the bands on their network, each carrier (of the big four) owns certain bands and the device manufacturer needs to include connectivity to those bands. 

If you think Microsoft isn't selling your information as much as Google and Apple do, then you've got blinders on... Of the worst kind.  The difference with Google is that they've always been up front about what they're doing with your information, along with providing something for free. 

You're right that they SHOULD be providing as many choices as possible, but Verizon is also a business trying to make money (and that's not an​ inherently bad thing, just like it's not an inherently bad thing for a customer to try to save as much as possible) and the fact of the matter is, Windows phones just weren't selling, especially for Verizon.

[mama23dogs]

It is strictly economics on the part of the manufacturers.

Verizon can't sell what isn't produced.  phone manufacturers have to pass FCC certification to sell in the US.  There are different fees involved and most will not bother with paying for separate CDMA certification if they can't make their money back. 

(is Nextbit Robin was supposed to be produced on both GSM and CDMA version.  When CDMA proved to costly and difficult to pass, they scrapped it.)

[dexman]

I just checked the Verizon Wireless list of smartphones, and, the Lumia 735 is still there. $120 pay upfront, or  $5/month.

[TIMNEW93]

Thanks, dexman, your input was very helpful.  I see that the 735 is back up on the VZW site.  It had been removed, and there was a news article, and now it looks like it's been put back up.

I have to give credit to Verizon for at least continuing to offer the 735.  It is not a flagship phone, but it is a very nice phone.  Mine is not slow or laggy as some would think with older technology, and it doesn't seem to suffer from the bugs in Windows 10 that I hear others complain about.

Having said that, it sounds like the 735 is all that will be available on Windows mobile for at least another two years. It would be nice if Verizon would work with the OEMs to get at least one of the newer models available on Verizon--say the Alcatel Idol.  The 735 just isn't capable of handling the newer technology like continuum.  I think there is more of a market than it appears--one of the main reasons for the decimation of Windows Mobile (other than Microsoft shutting down the Lumia line) is the unavailability of the flagship Windows phones on Verizon.  People who had 928s wanted to upgrade and found they couldn't, so they either switched platforms or left Verizon.

[dexman]

It looks like a cost issue. It costs more for CDMA certification than for GSM. Add to that the fact that there are more GSM networks in use here in the US than CDMA networks, and the OEMs decided to stay away.

The sad thing is that, with the lack of new models for customers of VZW, Sprint and US Cellular to choose from, will there be anyone left to purchase the first new model by the time one does make to VZW?

I've been using Android phones for several years now.....HTC Incredible 2, Samsung Galaxy S4 and now a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (I still have my two older phones).I wanted to try a Windows phone. I know that the 735 is still there (it will drop off at some point though as Microsoft as stopped production of all Lumia phones), but, I want to try a higher end model than the 735.

I'm not ready to jump ship for at&t yet, but, if Verizon Wireless does away with my grandfathered one-bill feature, there won't be any real reason for me to stick around. I know that I'm paying more for service than if I went back to separate billing and switched to a current plan, but, being able to pay my Verizon (Ma Bell) and my Verizon Wireless bills all at once is a convenience that I enjoy.

I have read that Microsoft Stores will be selling a Microsoft version of the Samsung Galaxy 8. I guess it is an S8 with extra Microsoft apps.

[mama23dogs]

Here it is.    The Samsung Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition is infused with Microsoft apps | PCWorld

The question is, "is it a GSM only phone?"  

No sign of the supposed pre order on their website.

[demmo86rt]

That's not a Windows phone though, it's simply an Android S8 with the full suite of Microsoft apps preinstalled.

[dexman]

Thus could very well be the direction that Microsoft...under Satya Nardella....will be going full bore. Offer a full suite of Microsoft apps on Android and iOS devices rather than produce Windows phones priced for the masses.

For those wishing for a phone running on Windows OS, a small number of high end units will be available for the commercial sector as well as anyone who can get past the premium price tag.

[dexman]

I mispelled Satya's last name. It should be Nadella.

[demmo86rt]

Just an FYI, some good information on the GS8 Microsoft edition here: Samsung Galaxy S8 'Microsoft Edition:' Everything you need to know https://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s8-microsoft-edition-everything-you-need-know.

They do say in the article that there will be a Verizon compatible, but Microsoft is currently only carrying the AT&T version.

[mama23dogs]

It's a survival attempt.  The only way BB could survive another year was to meld with android.  Unfortunately the device (Priv) is garbage. 

The Only way windows is going to stay afloat is being more flexible.  Also a good way for Samsung to steal frustrated windows users.