Huawei has not announced any details about the phone's specifications, features of even what it might look like. Rather, the press release should be seen as a place holder for the company's intentions, with regards to Windows Phone 8, and a way for it promote its newly expanded partnership with Microsoft.
Huawei are one of four hardware launch partners for Windows Phone 8; the others are Nokia, Samsung and HTC. Huawei is an important partner for Microsoft; it is stong in its home market of China and over the last few years has demonstrated an ability to deliver devices at competitive price points. Huawei may not be a household name in some markets, but it was the sixth biggest mobile phone maker (by device volume) in Q1 2012, behind Samsung, Nokia, Apple, ZTE and LG, but ahead of RIM, Motorola, Sony and HTC.
Here's the full press release:
Huawei to build new Ascend Windows Phone 8 handset
Expanded relationship with Microsoft signals Huawei's ambitions to solidify its leadership in the global smartphone market
Shenzhen, 21 June 2012: Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today announced it is expanding its relationship with Microsoft Corp. for the creation of Huawei's first Windows Phone handset. Part of the Huawei Ascend family, the company's portfolio of best-in-class smartphones, the Huawei Ascend with Windows Phone 8 expands Huawei's smartphone portfolio and brings the Windows Phone operating system to an even bigger audience. Huawei is one of the selected vendors in the world to carry the Windows Phone 8 operating system on its smartphones.
"2012 is building up to be a great year for Huawei. Now, we are poised to end the year with a big bang – with the introduction of our first smartphone running on the Windows Phone platform. We're very excited about this relationship with Microsoft which will enable us to provide our customers with a bigger array of Huawei smartphone choices," says Shao Yang, chief marketing officer, Huawei Device.
"It's great to welcome Huawei to the Windows Phone family. The only phone with Live Tiles, Windows Phone brings you closest to the people and things you care most about," said Terry Myerson, Corporate Vice President of the Windows Phone Division at Microsoft. "With Huawei's impressive global capabilities, together we can bring Windows Phone 8 to more people around the world."
The Huawei Ascend with Windows Phone 8 is expected to be available in Europe, China and United States, with other markets to follow. It will be marketed through a series of promotional activities in conjunction with key mobile operators around the world.
Here's a mock up of what a Windows Phone powered Huawei Ascend handset might look like (based on the Android powered Huawei D-Quad):
