Rumor: US pre-orders for Windows Phone 8 handsets to commence Oct. 21

Windows Phone 8 color
Windows Phone 8 sure is a colorful OS

A new rumor surfaced Tuesday claiming that Windows Phone 8 devices will become available for pre-order from AT&T on Oct. 21.

Microsoft and AT&T haven't officially revealed their plans for the new Windows Phone OS, but unnamed sources have reportedly told The Verge that pre-orders will commence before the end of October.

Further, Windows Phone 8 devices from HTC and Nokia will become available in early November, according to these sources.

Microsoft reportedly declined to comment, but mentioned "Windows Phone 8 phones will be available to customers later this year."

TechRadar requested additional information from AT&T, but the carrier replied that there's nothing more to share at this time.

Windows Phone 8 devices

The HTC 8X will lead the Windows Phone 8 charge as the flagship device for Microsoft's new OS, with Nokia's Lumia 920 (and to a lesser extent, the mid-range Lumia 820) also coming in strong.

Windows Phone 8 isn't exclusive to AT&T - for example, the Nokia Lumia 820 appeared to pop up on Verizon as the "Atlas" on Tuesday - but the Oct. 21 pre-order date only applies to AT&T so far.

According to those sources, Oct. 21 is also the day that Windows 8 devices being sold through AT&T, including Samsung's Ativ Smart PC and the Asus Vivo Tab RT, will become available for pre-order.

Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 launch dates

The news that the Ativ Smart PC and Vivo Tab RT will launch on AT&T only broke last Thursday, with the Windows 8 launch expected on Oct. 26.

The Windows Phone 8 launch is expected three days later on Oct. 29.

For more on Windows Phone 8, visit TechRadar's updated hub of Windows Phone 8 news and rumors.

Via The Verge

Michael Rougeau

Michael Rougeau is a former freelance news writer for TechRadar. Studying at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Northeastern University, Michael has bylines at Kotaku, 1UP, G4, Complex Magazine, Digital Trends, GamesRadar, GameSpot, IFC, Animal New York, @Gamer, Inside the Magic, Comic Book Resources, Zap2It, TabTimes, GameZone, Cheat Code Central, Gameshark, Gameranx, The Industry, Debonair Mag, Kombo, and others.

Micheal also spent time as the Games Editor for Playboy.com, and was the managing editor at GameSpot before becoming an Animal Care Manager for Wags and Walks.