As the first wave of the competition over Windows Phone 8 (WP8) smartphones will kick off in November, HTC and Samsung Electronics are expected to adopt more aggressive pricing strategies for their WP8 models to counter comparable models from Nokia, according to industry sources.

For HTC and Samsung, the launch of WP8 smartphones means additional business opportunities, since the two vendors have been focusing on Android-based models, the sources indicated.

HTC 's ambitions for WP8 smartphones could be only second to Nokia, since it has seen its share in the Android segment decline significantly and therefore, it is expected to price its WP8 models aggressively, the sources commented.

Samsung has less pressure for the release of WP8 phones thanks to strong sales of its Android models, said the sources, adding that the roll-out of WP8 smartphones is just part of Samsung's deployment of related Windows 8 devices.

An unlocked HTC's WP8 X is likely to be available for US$500-600 compared to US$700 for Samsung's Ativ S, while Nokia's unlocked Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 are expected to range from US$600-800, estimated the sources.

Additionally, the WP8-based Ascend W1 from Huawei may available for US$300-350 unlocked, the sources added.