[karnka]

Maybe if it was a bit cheaper maybe I would consider an 820 as a stop gap and either hang around for a phone from MS or a next gen flagship that appealed more.

Can't see me paying more than £300 for it though so ain't going to happen.

[dogfish54]

Yep, and another thing that came to my mind.

Situation 1 - Nokia sells 1000 L920 in EE UK, exclusivity for next 6 months, EE pays to Nokia for the deal and during those 6 months lets say Nokia earns X,

Situation 2 - Nokia sells 100.000 L920 in EE UK, unlocked during the 6 months, without any exclusivity - overall, they earn X as well (EE deals and sim unlocked).

Now, even though they may have earn the same amount of money in both situations, option 2 is much better for Nokia and WP8 anyway!

They have more phones on the market and this means more apps will be bought, more developers interested in the platform, platform gaining its share in the market.

And in 6 months I bet there will be new phones, probably more exciting than L920 (even from Nokia perhaps).

Seriously, multi billion Euro corporation and no thinking...

Both situations are unlikely. I think Nokia is getting $0 from the carrier for the exclusive. What Nokia are (likely) asking for is:

* a higher subsidy
* more promotion / advertising of the device
* a bigger in-store sales push

it is RIDICULOUS, not even close to possible that Nokia are doing it for a one-time cash payment. Nokia is not so stupid, they know they need the brand and ecosystem to grow.

I understand how frustrating when a device is not on your carrier (my preferred carrier is US Cellular).
Unfortunately most people don't know about WP8 or think it's stupid. When I talk about Windows Phone, people laugh, say they tried it but it was stupid or they didn't 'get it'. When you go to a store and they don't care and just want to sell you a Galaxy S3, how does that help. Nokia needs the stores to push their device, and the one way to incent the stores to push a device is to offer a carrier exclusive.

[cgk]

Or after the lackluster sales of previous generation WP devices, this was the best/only deal they could do where the terms were favourable to them?

Let's be honest about this - they aren't starting with much leverage.

[rplyons]

Just look at the comments of the thread so far, the vast majority of 'potential' 920 customers are angry with what NOKIA has done in the UK Market and so they will more than likely vote in their foe by purchasing the recently released Windows Phone 8X by HTC, or even the Samsung ATIV S.

Me myself I will remain totally loyal to NOKIA, even through their mental breakdown, and purchase an 820 until the 920 is released to General Population...like it should be from Day 1.

NOKIA may even extend the 'Exclusivity Period', so a few days before the end of the year they may prolong everyone's pain...and possibly their own :-/

[karnka]

I don't understand why you think Nokia would deserve unwavering loyalty for any reason.

If you think the 820 is the best compromise in this situation and then might upgrade to a 920 later then fair enough but just being 'loyal' sounds a bit odd.

You don't owe Nokia anything. None of us do.

[peachy001]

I personally owe Nokia nothing. My first phone was an 8210 and the thing had 5 screen replacements. Was shocking so I avoided them. Tried a Motorola on 3 when it just came out. That put me off both very quickly. Then went for the Sony Ericssons. Had probably 6 of those, just loved them and the camera quality was great on all of them.

Then plumped for an HTC Desire. It feels so solid and well made and has kept going well. Very pleased with it. But the camera cheeses me off a bit. Also the fact they faffed around with the updates was frustrating. So I fancied a change. The camera alone on the Nokia was the deciding factor.

[cgk]

I don't understand why anyone would think any faceless megacorp deserves loyalty for any reason.

[rplyons]

I don't understand why anyone would think any faceless megacorp deserves loyalty for any reason.

Just personal preference

[karnka]

I've had various brands over the years too and have always hopped around.

I agree the 920 is very appealing I just question the use of the word loyal :-)

[sketchedout]

I find it really frustrating that flagship products can get such a weak launch or at least such a confused one. Nokia got panned after the initial announcement for not releasing pricing and release information and everyone then hoped that come the full Windows Phone 8 reveal it would obviously be cleared up. We are now apparently in the launch window and it's still no clearer on when you can actually expect to walk into a store or log on and buy one. Granted, just because it's out doesn't necessarily mean you will get one if demand is high enough but at least you know it's out. I was expecting a far clearer launch for a flagship product from a company in financial difficulty.

I can see why after deciding to make a 4g capable phone EE and Nokia buddied up at launch as no other network has 4g yet. But seeing as Nokia have been going through a turbulent trading period I'm surprised they wouldn't have wanted a wider variety of carrier choice and if by signing up with one carrier to start with at least then make it easily available sim free. Like many others I'm outside of the current EE area so why would I want to sign up to a 24 month contract when a fair few of those months are going to drift by without experiencing 4g at all but I'm paying for the service. I'm really hoping that EE pricing fails otherwise there will be no incentive for the remaining UK carriers to compete with lower deals.

I'm amazed that for the UK if they are only selling initially through two outlets EE / Phones4U that it could seem so difficult to get a consistent message out. I'm now just hoping that by not spreading the supply across all carriers and outlets it will actually mean that the stock should at least be healthy enough to let Phones4U sell sim free.

Trouble is the official website reviews start pointing out some of the negatives of the handset, it then kicks off the rumour mill that maybe all isn't well and last minute fixes are put in, while Nokia will no doubt scramble together an announcement that demand has simply outstripped supply to stave off any criticism.

I do have a sneaky feeling though that the 920 might be short lived as the flagship, just as the 800 was with their first effort.

[kuroneko0509]

I found a website selling sim-free Lumia 920 for £490.

Nokia Lumia 920 | SmartPhone | Sim Free

Wonder if this website is reliable?

[rplyons]

I find it really frustrating that flagship products can get such a weak launch or at least such a confused one. I was expecting a far clearer launch for a flagship product from a company in financial difficulty. But seeing as Nokia have been going through a turbulent trading period I'm surprised they wouldn't have wanted a wider variety of carrier choice and if by signing up with one carrier to start with at least then make it easily available sim free. I'm really hoping that EE pricing fails otherwise there will be no incentive for the remaining UK carriers to compete with lower deals. I do have a sneaky feeling though that the 920 might be short lived as the flagship, just as the 800 was with their first effort.

Seems that NOKIA didn't learn any lessons from what happened last year :-/

[Muessig]

Well I have spoken to 4 separate stores for the 920's this morning – every single store said they didn't have the phones in stock, but expected some in this week. I was quoted two prices - once by someone telling me the price was £495 and someone else in a different stored said the price would be £459, and every single store said the phones would come unlocked. I checked online with the live chat service and they also said that while they couldn't confirm pricing information that the sim-free versions will be unlocked to all networks.

Is this a case of no one knows what they're talking about or will the phones actually come in this week and be unlocked?

[bentheoandrews]

Seems that NOKIA didn't learn any lessons from what happened last year :-/

It looks like EE are desperately trying to push their 4G plans. No sign of 920 on Orange site with Orange tariffs so guess they're hoping some will pull the trigger and just go with EE - especially with the P4U Speaker promotion.
I don't mind waiting. What I do mind is waiting for a date.... then waiting for another date.... then waiting for an unknown date.

[mmacleodbrown]

I found a website selling sim-free Lumia 920 for £490.

Nokia Lumia 920 | SmartPhone | Sim Free

Wonder if this website is reliable?

Slipped back to 12/11 now and price has gone upto £564

[FanTong]

Well I have spoken to 4 separate stores for the 920's this morning – every single store said they didn't have the phones in stock, but expected some in this week. I was quoted two prices - once by someone telling me the price was £495 and someone else in a different stored said the price would be £459, and every single store said the phones would come unlocked. I checked online with the live chat service and they also said that while they couldn't confirm pricing information that the sim-free versions will be unlocked to all networks.

Is this a case of no one knows what they're talking about or will the phones actually come in this week and be unlocked?

Are you referring to the UK retailers like Phones4U? All the sim-free versions means you can buy the phone on its own "without" a sim contract but they are locked to EE/Orange/T-Mobile. The UK sites that offer true unlocked will be sourcing them from the continent, I'm sure.

[kawadatoshiaki]

Do people not realise the 920 isn't ONLY available on the 4G EE? It's also available theough EE's two 3G networks T-Mobile and Orange.

I find it staggering how many people think the 920 is only available on EE's extortionate 4G tariffs.

Anyway I'm getting the handset on T- Mobile's Full Monty tariff this week.

[Urban Splash]

Loads of confusion regarding this launch, a complete mess.

To clarify, 920 is available on EE, Orange and T-Mobile. However:
red and yellow is exclusive to Phones 4 U.
Black and white also available, however, white is exclusive to EE (so not available on Orange and T-Mobile).
Availability has slipped in the UK. Now expected 9th November.

Reports indicate sim free is locked to EE/Orange/T-Mobile (however, I have no idea how they are getting away with this!)

[Muessig]

Are you referring to the UK retailers like Phones4U? All the sim-free versions means you can buy the phone on its own "without" a sim contract but they are locked to EE/Orange/T-Mobile. The UK sites that offer true unlocked will be sourcing them from the continent, I'm sure.

I'm talking about UK retailers yes. I asked Phones4U if they would be able to provide me with a phone that's sim-free and unlocked in the UK. I asked 4 different stores and an online representative the same question and every one of them told me that they would be able to provide me that.

When I suggested to each one they might be locked to T-Mobile or Orange they all said to me that the phones would be completely unlocked to all networks. I'm not sure if they're just saying that because that's what's happened with all other phones they've sold or if it's true of the 920.

[cgk]

I'm talking about UK retailers yes. I asked Phones4U if they would be able to provide me with a phone that's sim-free and unlocked in the UK. I asked 4 different stores and an online representative the same question and every one of them told me that they would be able to provide me that.

When I suggested to each one they might be locked to T-Mobile or Orange they all said to me that the phones would be completely unlocked to all networks. I'm not sure if they're just saying that because that's what's happened with all other phones they've sold or if it's true of the 920.

They are saying that because that is what has happened with phones previously.

[Muessig]

So is my best bet to try to get a handset from somewhere like handtec or expansys and hope they're unlocked or to go into phones4u and get them to try a different sim in one or what's best?

[Smg-Uk]

If this is going to be available on Orange then they should hurry up and update their website at least to say coming soon

[martinmc78]

Do people not realise the 920 isn't ONLY available on the 4G EE? It's also available theough EE's two 3G networks T-Mobile and Orange.

I find it staggering how many people think the 920 is only available on EE's extortionate 4G tariffs.

Anyway I'm getting the handset on T- Mobile's Full Monty tariff this week.

Really. Went with my father to get him a 920 on Saturday from an EE shop. They had some in stock but the only way they would give him the phone for free on a 2 year contract was if he signed up to the highest £56/month tariff. I asked about getting it on 3G and they said it wasnt available. Father went mental saying hes been an orange customer for 15 years and wasnt willing to pay thier extortionate prices for a service (4G) that hes never going to use. Picked up an HTC 8X myself on saturday. Havent put it down all weekend. Awesome phone.

[sketchedout]

Ok, so just rung around the Bristol area again today and still no news on delivery. My local Weston-super-Mare branch still no joy either but interestingly seemed to be quite sure that the HTC 8X was going to be there this Saturday. It looked as though it was appearing on the system to arrive but nothing on the Nokia Lumia 920. They don't get deliveries on a Monday but do tomorrow so are just hoping it comes in at any point. The fact the Phones 4 U website now says order now for 19th Nov delivery doesn't bode well for anything imminent though, could be high demand or maybe they just they know they aren't getting it until then. Now that EE has launched is anyone aware of any issues with EE network at all that Nokia might be holding back on so they don't get caught up in the negativity? Just scratching round now on theories...speculation...oh ok desperation. I've seen Amazon Germany are showing a few in stock through the outlets but at 694 euros a bit too high I think. Amazon Germany themselves list the black one at 649 euros and the white one at 599 euros which is pretty good but neither in stock yet.

[maverick786us]

Looks like there is so much of demand for Lumia 920 across Western europe that it might take a week to get the stocks.