Lenovo first smartphone running Windows Phone

Now owner of the Nokia Devices Division, Microsoft needs to develop its mobile OS Windows Phone and offer a wide range of smartphones. One strategy is to attract new manufacturers. In February, Microsoft announced that new partnerships were concluded with, among others, LG Electronics, Huawei, ZTE, Lenovo and Samsung. It has announced that the first smartphone running Windows Phone will be launched by the end of the year.

By acquiring the leading manufacturer of smartphones running Windows Phone, Microsoft has a greater responsibility in the development of its mobile OS. If Windows Phone succeeds globally it is struggling to carve out a place facing the leaders Android and iOS. According to IDC, during the fourth quarter of 2013, Android accounted for 78.1% market share to iOS, 17.6%, and Windows Phone 3%.

Among its strategies, Microsoft wants to attract new partners and manufacturers rely on the entry and midrange. In this context, Microsoft offers free Windows Phone including OEMs. An offer that seems to pay since, at the MWC 2014 in Barcelona, Microsoft announced new partnerships with Huawei, ZTE, Samsung, HTC, LG Electronics, Lenovo, Karbonn, XOLO, Longcheer, Gionee and Foxconn.
A sizeable list which shows a growing interest in Windows Phone.
New partners, Lenovo has announced the upcoming launch of the first smartphone running the mobile OS.

Lui Jun, head of Lenovo's mobile division, said that the company will market a smartphone running Windows Phone 8.1 before the end of the year.