Samsung Electronics has launched its Windows Phone 8-based Ativ S for the Taiwan market in cooperation with Chunghwa Telecom (CHT). The model will be available in the local market in January 2013 with a suggested retail price of NT$18,900 (US$649).

Rival vendor HTC has launched its WP8X in the local market and plans to release the entry-level WP8S in December, according to industry sources.

Also in December, Nokia will introduce its WP8-based Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 into Taiwan, further heating up competition in the WP8 phone segment, the sources added.

The Ativ S will target the business sector and is likely to become the bestselling WP8 model in the local market buoyed by its competitive price and larger display, said Andy Tu, president of mobile communications at Samsung Taiwan.