WPDang, in an article talking about the potential impact of the Microsoft acqusition of Nokia's Devices & Services business, reports that Huawei's third Windows Phone handset, the Huawei W3, will be launched at CES 2014 and will go on sale in China in January 2014. The handset is reported to be similar in styling to Huawei's D2 and P6 models, with a metal casing and slim design, a departure from the plastic casing found in the company's first two Windows Phone products.

As with the W1 and W2 models there will be two models to support different networks bands (WCDMA and CDMA200), with both variants also expected to support LTE. WPDang say that the model is expected to be positioned in the mid tier, compared to the lower tier positioning of the two previous Huawei Windows Phone products.

Huawei W2, the Huawei W3 is expected to have a part metal design

WPDang also reports that Huawei has achieved more than 1 million unit sales of the W1, roughly in line with the company's expectations. Similar data for the W2 is not yet available, but it is unlikely to enjoy the same level of sucess due a relatively limited market launch. WPDang says that Huawei effectively regards the W2 as a stop-grap product.

WPDang goes on to note that that the W3 design and release shedule will not be changed by the Microsoft Nokia deal, but notes, as we concluded last week, that it is possible that product planning for the W4 and W5 may be impacted.