Samsung Electronics and Huawei Device are ready to launch Windows Phone 8 (WP8)-based models in the US and other markets, while Microsoft, Nokia and HTC have chosen to not participate at the ongoing CES 2013 trade fair.

Samsung plans to launch its WP8-based Ativ Odyssey in the US in cooperation with Verizon Wireless, which has been selling comparable WP8 models from Nokia and HTC, according to industry sources.

The Ativ Odyssey, which will come with a Qualcomm 1.5GHz dual-core CPU and a 4-inch 800 by 480 Super AMOLED display, will target the mid-range smartphone segment, the sources said.

Sprint Nextel is also expected to launch WP8 smartphones in summer 2013, with initial plans to purchase one model each from Samsung and HTC, revealed the sources, adding that the two models will also be powered by a dual-core processor.

Huawei plans to launch its Ascend W1 in China and Russia in January with target markets to include Western Europe, the US and the Middle East later, noted the sources.