Last night, Microsoft evidently jumped the gun by listing the AT&T Nokia Lumia 1520 as available for pre-order on their website. Since we reported on that news, Redmond has pulled both the 1520 and its protective case from their online Store, suggesting that it was posted in error. Windows Phone Central stated that although November 15th was originally planned for the release, it had been pushed back one week to November 22nd.
Coincidentally, the Xbox One comes out that day too.
Now, Windows Phone Central has attained evidence that indeed, November 22nd will be “D-Day” for Microsoft and Nokia. While it has been known that Microsoft’s next generation console will come out on that Friday, we have now learned that AT&T and Verizon will both launch Nokia’s new Windows RT tablet, the Lumia 2520 on that day as well. Likewise, the Lumia 1520 will similarly launch on AT&T.
Note: "non-config" is just for inventory purposes; While the inventory sheets says "11/21" for AT&T, it will most likely launch on the 11/22, as Friday is AT&T's normal launch day
Inventory listings for both devices have been provided to us that verify this date:
- Verizon: Lumia 2520 tablet in Red and Black, both with 32 GB of internal storage, LTE
- AT&T: Lumia 2520 tablet in Black, with 32 GB of internal storage, LTE
- AT&T: Lumia 1520 Windows Phone, in black, white, yellow and red
It now appears that Microsoft is planning to have a massive launch day for the Xbox One, Windows Phone and Windows RT by releasing all three at the same time. It’s not clear what AT&T and Verizon are planning for the launch, though we postulate there will be some large tie-ins with the next generation gaming console for advertising.
The Lumia 1520 for AT&T is expected to retail at $549 and fetch for a fair $199 on a two-year contract. Both price points have been well received by our own audience, suggesting that Nokia and AT&T may have hit the right chord, despite gimping the device on some features i.e. no built in wireless charging and only 16 GB of internal storage.
Nokia’s first Windows RT tablet is expected to retail for $499. Subsidized costs, if any, have not yet been revealed. We have heard that Verizon will sell it at $399 for a Black Friday deal. More on that soon.
The Lumia 2520, a 10.1-inch device, will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (2.2GHz Quad Core) processor, 6.7 MP rear camera, and full 1080p HD AH-IPS, High Brightness with Low Reflectance, Gorilla Glass 2 for the display. Nokia is banking on consumers wanting an “always connected” device, hence why AT&T and Verizon will both sell it with Wi-Fi and 4G LTE built in.
Perhaps the only bad news is that neither AT&T nor Verizon are getting the Lumia 2520 in Cyan or White, but instead they are sticking with the more conservative Black (and Red for Verizon).
One thing is for certain: Friday, November 22nd will be a very expensive day for Microsoft and Nokia fans and a busy day for us.
