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Sprint to sell Samsung and HTC Windows Phone 8 devices

The mobile carrier is expected to debut two new smartphones that run on Microsoft's Windows 8 platform by summer.

Dara Kerr Former senior reporter
Dara Kerr was a senior reporter for CNET covering the on-demand economy and tech culture. She grew up in Colorado, went to school in New York City and can never remember how to pronounce gif.
Dara Kerr
A Windows Phone 8 device. Josh Miller/CNET

Sprint announced today that it will unveil two Windows Phone 8 devices by this summer -- one from Samsung and another from HTC.

The mobile carrier made the announcement with Microsoft at the Consumer Electronics Show today.

"Sprint has had a strong relationship with Microsoft for many years so we are excited to reinforce our commitment to the Windows 8 platform by sharing the details and timing for our first Windows Phone 8 smartphones," Sprint senior vice president of product development and operations Fared Adib said in a statement. "These smartphones combine a robust new operating platform with the benefit of Sprint's unlimited data plans."

Currently Sprint doesn't carry any Windows Phone 8 devices, lagging behind other carriers that have already debuted the smartphones, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Verizon also announced today that it will soon be selling a new Windows Phone 8 device -- Samsung's ATIV Odyssey. This smartphone is Samsung's first Windows Phone 8 device to be sold in the U.S.

Despite Sprint's announcement today, there has yet to be any further details on exactly which Samsung and HTC phones the mobile carrier will sell. However, the carrier did say that the devices will both include features such as dual cameras enabling video chat, dual-core processors for enhanced internal speed between applications, and support for expandable external memory.

Additionally, the carrier said that both smartphones will fall under Sprint's Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, which starts at $79.99 per month.