While AT&T is supposed to be the “premier” carrier for Windows Phone 7, T-Mobile will also be strongly supporting the Microsoft mobile operating system with multiple high-quality smartphones in the next few weeks.
The fourth-largest U.S. carrier will soon be offering the HTC HD7, Mozart and the Dell Venue Pro. Each of these devices should retail of no more than $199.99 after rebates and a new two-year contract (the Dell one could retail for slightly higher – we’re not sure yet) and each will have at least a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, 5-megapixel camera and a large, capacitive touchscreen.
While each has similar specs, there are subtle differences between the devices. With its 4.3-inch screen, the HD7 will have the largest display of any Windows Phone 7 device at launch. The Revue Pro, which you may remember as the Dell Lightning, will have a slide-up QWERTY keyboard and the Mozart will have a smaller footprint than the other devices.
In the United States in 2010, you’ll only be able to purchase Windows Phone 7 devices from AT&T and T-Mobile because Microsoft delayed CDMA handsets until the middle of 2011. While AT&T has the Samsung Focus, HTC Surround and the LG Quantum, T-Mobile’s lineup is arguably just as good, if not better.
Of course, T-Mobile is facing a few problems if it wants to be the number one seller of Windows Phone 7 handsets and the first is sheer size. AT&T has double the amount of overall subscribers and its retail presence is far larger than T-Mobile.
Of course, one could also argue that AT&T may not put as many resources behind the Microsoft mobile platform because it could be busy trying to sell as many Apple iPhone 4 units as possible this holiday season. This would be doubly true if the rumors we’re hearing of a Verizon iPhone in January actually pan out.
In its favor, T-Mobile has some of the most affordable plans for smartphone users out there and it even offers the ability to pay for the hardware in installments, which could help attract multiple first-time smartphone buyers.
I’ve been lusting for the Dell Revue Pro for many months now but I’m not going to pull the trigger on a T-Mobile handset that doesn’t have access to HSPA+, especially if I have to sign a new, two-year contract. Our own Blake has been getting nearly 8 Mbps download speeds in San Francisco on his G2 and that type of speed would be lovely on the upcoming myTouch.
I’m a huge fan of Windows Phone 7 but without HSPA+ support on T-Mobile, I can’t justify buying it. What do you think friends?