Skip to main content

Are carriers abandoning Microsoft’s Lumia 950? T-Mobile says no

microsoft lumia 950 carrier news coming soon jpg
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Shortly after Microsoft’s big October launch event, AT&T announced that it will carry the Lumia 950. Later on, a CNet report hinted that T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon may have turned down Microsoft’s offer to carry the new Lumia 950 and 950XL. However, T-Mobile has since contradicted the report and expressed interest in the phones.

T-Mobile’s CEO John Legere denounced rumors that the Uncarrier had turned down the new Windows phones, saying that he’d been led to believe that Microsoft and AT&T had an exclusive deal on the Lumia 950 and 950XL. He added that T-Mobile is willing to talk with Microsoft about carrying the phones.

Microsoft told Digital Trends that it is in talks with other carriers to get the Lumia 950 and 950XL on as many networks as possible. However, Verizon and Sprint have yet to make any announcements.

The Lumia 950 and 950 XL were set to be Microsoft’s big splash after taking a leave of absence from the mobile development scene. Unfortunately for the computing giant, carriers haven’t exactly been lining up to support the Windows 10 flagship phones.

At this point, the only major carrier in the U.S. to pick up Microsoft’s most recent handset is AT&T. Even in the case of AT&T, the company will only take on the Lumia 950, not its super-sized partner.

While netting the second largest mobile service provider in the country is nothing to be ashamed of, it still leaves Microsoft well behind the massive distribution its competition has. All the flagships from competitors like the iPhone 6S, Samsung Galaxy S6, LG G4, and HTC One M9 are available on all four major U.S. carriers and several smaller ones besides. If Microsoft fails to get the Lumia 950 and 950XL on more networks, it’s destined to reach a much more limited audience, which will not help improve the position of Windows Phone in the market.

According to the most recent report from the International Data Corporation, Android and iOS devices combine for a whopping 96.7 percent of the mobile market. Microsoft occupies a minuscule 2.6 percent of the market pie, enough to keep it out of BlackBerry and “other” territory but still barely a blip on the radar. This isn’t the start Microsoft hoped to have for its first attempt at launching a flagship phone since acquiring Nokia’s mobile business last year.

However, the possibility remains that the other major carriers will step in and pick up the handsets sometime in the future. It remains to be seen whether the carriers’ customers follow suit and pick up the phones or just let them gather dust on the shelves.

Editors' Recommendations

AJ Dellinger
AJ Dellinger is a freelance reporter from Madison, Wisconsin with an affinity for all things tech. He has been published by…
AT&T has fastest 5G networks, but T-Mobile has the best coverage, report says
5G feature image

The rollout of 5G is in full swing, and while we don't yet have the overall experience that we've been hearing about for years, we're getting there. But which carrier is closest to offering that long-promised 5G utopia? According to a new report from RootMetrics, all three major U.S. carriers have their own pros and cons.

According to the new report, T-Mobile has the largest 5G network in the country,  AT&T's network is currently the fastest, and AT&T and Verizon are about tied when it comes to 5G reliability.

Read more
Microsoft says it ‘messed up’ on Xbox Live pricing, won’t raises rates
xbox one x review mem2b

Microsoft has backtracked on an announcement that it would raise the price of Xbox Live Gold memberships after an outcry from gamers. Many pointed out that it was tactless to raise prices on gaming when many people are staying at home due to the pandemic and gaming provides a much-needed form of safe entertainment.

In a blog post first posted on Friday, January 22, Microsoft said it would increase the price of Gold memberships by $1 for one-month memberships and $5 for three-month memberships in the U.S., with equivalent prices hikes in other regions too. That would have raised prices to $11 for one month and $30 for three months. Prices for six-month and 12-month memberships would have remained unchanged.

Read more
Microsoft workers won’t return to its offices until at least 2021
Microsoft logo

Microsoft will keep its U.S. offices closed through the rest of 2020, allowing employees to continue to work from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Microsoft is said to have created a six-stage dial that illustrates the company's plan for employees' return to offices, The Verge reported, citing sources familiar with the company's plans. The earliest possible date for the sixth stage, which is opening the workplaces without restrictions, is January 19.

Read more