Windows Phone 8 pre-orders to begin on October 21st

Microsoft’s first Windows Phone 8 devices will be available for pre-order in the US on October 21st. Sources familiar with AT&T and Microsoft’s plans have revealed to The Verge that the carrier will start taking pre-orders for its range of Windows Phone 8 handsets on October 21st — including the HTC 8X and Nokia’s Lumia 920.

Pre-orders for Samsung’s Ativ Smart PC and the Asus Vivo Tab RT will also commence on October 21st in preparation for a launch on October 26th. We understand that the Windows Phone 8 devices will be made available in early November, following the pre-orders on October 21st. A Microsoft spokesperson refused to comment on the pre-order date directly, stating that “Windows Phone 8 phones will be available to customers later this year.”