Who wants a premier offer for WP10?ie Lumia 950,950xl

[WP10_950xl]

I have owned and absolutely loved my Lumia 822 and now my Lumia 735. I have been waiting wit bated breathe for the Lumia 950 xl. I figure if the phones that I have been using for the last 2 1/2 years are considered mid level, then high end has to be off the hook. Now I read that VERIZON may not support a flagship WP 10 at all. If that is the case I would seriously consider switching carriers.

[barriboy]

Only for the 950. XL is not exclusive. For that matter, the 950 seems to be a timed exclusive for AT&T. And that's all neglecting the fact that Verizon likes to get its own "exclusive" version, like they did with the 928. Still pretty terrible for verizon users. Everyone else will get to use their shiny new phjones in a month, but we'll still be waiting to hear if they will accept the 950xl on the network or if they are going to get a verizon "exclusive" 958 or whatever the hell.

[Tidbits]

If there is an exclusive then they'll wait it out. There are things such as both advertising and chatter between companies until the exclusive deal is over.

As for the XL there's still no word from MS themselves and have a feeling it will either be exclusive somewhere or MS store only as they are going to keep production low(this is why I wish they went with a single device model for the Americas market).

Everyone is clamoring Verizon for the answer when Microsoft themselves could provide those same answers...

[NolMac]

Microsoft has released all the information. Now the question is will the radio frequencies work with Verizon? My understanding there is only one band that works with Verizon.

[Tidbits]

None will without band 13

[Geminiman]

Neither phone right now will work on Verizon. Both Verizon's LTE bands and CDMA are firmware locked out. What that means is that while the 808 and 810 chipset support Band 13 (and the others) and CDMA (As evidenced by the Google 5x and 6P and their doc sheet) MS, probably bowing to pressure from Verizon has locked out that support in the firmware. A simple firmware update would unlock Verizon on both phones if they chose to do so.

Worse, if MS turned this on, Verizon couldn't say no because of their agreement for buying Band 13 in the first place (this is why the SIM is unlocked on Verizon). Hence the phone would work just fine, and Verizon would have to allow it on it's network, but they've done a deal with MS to artificially lock out Verizon capability.

MS is probably hoping that Verizon will carry both phones in their stores, but honestly that's just a stupid position to take. MS should have release them completely open, and then offered financing deals for both phones and Surface tablet/book for both consumers and business.

But they missed the opportunity to completely own the business market by bundling phones/tablets with Office 365 subscriptions and now we're screwed with AT&T unless Verizon agrees to sell both phones. (We might get one of them if we're lucky.)

[NolMac]

The XL is on Microsoft store so you can buy it unlocked and it will work on t mobile. Oddly the 950 wasn't which is probably because it will be.

[Tidbits]

Exclusive deal with AT&T probably. If they do sell it at the store it'll be locked until the deal is over or it might be perms locked to them. We don't know exactly yet and everything is rumored. The only certainty is there is an exclusive deal.

[pm_mazur]

My last phone I purchased was full retail, and  that's mainly because of data and small availability of windows devices. I don't like when a phone company tells me which android or ios device I can use... I wanna use neither. Windows fits me best. As a result whichever carrier has a compatible Lumia 950XL, that's where I'll be switching to. I want a stable device with monitor support for my business needs, and obviously none of ios or android devices will work for me.

To whatever company in the west coast, release a Lumia 950XL and you'll have my vote.

[NolMac]

You can buy it directly through Microsoft unlocked and will work on either att and t mobile well.

[arris]

Verizon: your screwing up if you don't offer the 950.  I've had the 928 for the last couple of years and love it.  I hate AT&T, but upgrading to this phone is enough to make me switch if Verizon doesn't offer the flagship phone for Windows.  There have already been articles about how Verizon store associates push consumers away from Windows phones (which it is suggested as one of the reasons Windows Phone has such a small market share) so don't confirm that Verizon is anti-Windows by not offering their flagship phone.  It has been predicted that by the end of 2016 that Windows phone will the majority market share.  With all that Microsoft is doing with Windows 10 and the critical reception it is receiving, it would be a shame for Verizon to miss out on this opportunity.  You already can't compete with T-Mobile and Sprint on plans and pricing, but you have the best network and should back it up with the best hardware selection for all OS's.  There are more people that could care less about upgrading to a new IPhone every year than you may think.

[Lazermn03]

I agree totally. If Verizon doesn't get the phone I'll probably buy directly from MS and move over to ATT or Cricket. I love Verizon and have been with them since they bought out Alltel back in the day, but our 4 lines will probably be moving if they don't offer Win10 phones.

[ChuckWes]

Too bad looks like we're getting passed over again. But is it Microsoft or Verizon we should be mad at? After reading all the things I have on the web this morning, I'm not too sure. If it is true that Microsoft is doing exclusives with AT&T on these phones, it was their decision, no matter how poor. Why would they go with only one carrier? Seems like another bad business plan to me. I'd want my product in as many hands as possible.

[primortal]

ChuckWes wrote:

If it is true that Microsoft is doing exclusives with AT&T on these phones, it was their decision, no matter how poor. Why would they go with only one carrier? Seems like another bad business plan to me. I'd want my product in as many hands as possible.

AT&T exclusivity isn't true, they are the first carrier to carry the 950.  Microsoft is working with other carriers to get the 950/950 XL on them.

[Geminiman]

Let's be a little more clear: As it stands right now, only AT&T has announced plans to sell the 950. The 950XL is unlocked and available from MS for pre-order.

HOWEVER: MS has firmware locked both phones to prevent them from working on Sprint and Verizon. Both phones are entirely capable of working on Sprint and Verizon because the chipset supports all of the required Bands and CDMA. And if MS didn't firmware lockout CDMA on these phones, Verizon would HAVE to let you on Band 13 with your device because of regulations that allowed them to buy Band 13 nationally.

So while AT&T is the only carrier signed up right now, there would have to be significant movement and updates to the phone's firmware etc. for it to be offered anywhere else. And given Verizon's (horrible) track record at most we might get a phone by April and it probably won't be the one you want.

[Ann154]

It is more likely a hardware limitation and not firmware or software restriction.

[Geminiman]

Not correct. The 808 and 810 chipsets fully support CDMA and Band 13 in silicon (I know whereof I speak, I work in the industry).  This is why the Google Nexus devices just released support all 4 carriers out of the box. (Do a search for LTE band support for Qualcomm 810 chipset and you'll see what I mean)

MS has intentionally disabled CDMA and Verizon's bands (specifically band 13) and the only possible reason for doing so is to appease Verizon because if they didn't, Verizon couldn't say no to the devices on Band 13 because of FCC regulations surrounding Band 13.

[NolMac]

I completely agree Chuck, but they are going to be selling at least one phone unlocked through Microsoft store with almost certainty. Again I do agree. Apple had the att exclusive for years. People tend to want what they can't have or something that's exclusive.

[WindowsPhone]

I love the answer Verizon gave to the group.  We will help you to find the device that works for you.  Verizon we are Windows phone users and we want the new Lumia 950 or Lumia 950xl. We will leave Verizon if you do not offer these phones.   It is nonnegotiable.  Verizon needs to understand when they market us to death after we leave that we were an easy group to keep.  We will receive marketing material saying they want us back with great deals except for the Windows phone.  The Verizon leadership think they can remove the Windows phone with little ramification.  Well you will lose current and future business as well as good will. Remember we are friends and married to iPhone and Android users.  They will not appreciate how we are treated.  This is not just a small community of users. This is the community of Verizon users you are hurting.

[primortal]

Your best bet it to tell VZW leadership directly, Leadership | Verizon Wireless

[SickFreak]

Been there, done that.... many times over the years.  Completely useless.

[NolMac]

I'm curious how many windows phone users have a grandfathered unlimited data plan. Is it costly for Verizon to provide network support? I could careless if Verizon sells it directly I just want it to work. Verizon lied to me about when I went off contract with the new plans and of course was told something completely different when I finally got off contract. T mobile will be cheaper for me. So it is what it is.