Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NOK), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): 3 New U.S. Phones?

Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) have been about four moths into their new smartphone alliance with flagship Lumia handsets and the new Windows Phone 8 operating system. While Nokia reported a modest 4.4 million handsets sold during the fourth quarter of 2012 – though that number was one of the best results for Nokia in a while – the company and Microsoft still have a way to go to make up ground on Research in Motion Ltd. (NASDAQ:BBRY) and the BlackBerry for third place among favorite smartphones behind the duopoly of Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL).

However, Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)  have been gaining some momentum in the market since the Windows Phone 8 launch, as evidenced by Windows Phone doubling its market share among OSs over a year earlier. There are reports now circulating that Nokia is looking to be more aggressive with its high-end handsets in the U.S., as it is rumored to be launching three different Lumia handsets designed for three of the major U.S. wireless carriers – which apparently may replace the Lumia 920 flagship handset, at least only the U.S. market.

Word is that Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) will dress Windows Phone in three new handset models, made mainly in aluminum instead of polycarbonate. The first, with a codename “EOS,” will feature a 41-megapixel PureView camera and will be offered on the AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) network, which has been the most loyal Nokia handset carrier over the years. Meanwhile, wireless market leader Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is expected to get its own high-end Lumia handset codenamed “Laser.” The third handset, “Catwalk,” is slated to be offer on the T-Mobile USA network. There is no word on hard launch dates, but all the talk is that the Lumia 920 handset will become de-emphasized in the U.S. and may likely remain the company’s flagship handset elsewhere in the world.

What are your thoughts about Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) and its handsets? And what do you think about the Windows Phone 8 operating system by Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)? Will this aggressive approach pay off in the U.S. market? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.

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