ATT Win Mobile phone withering near iPhone

The HTC Pure may be selling poorly enough that AT&T is already putting the phone back in its warehouses, a leaked notice has revealed today. The carrier is organizing a "partial return" of at least 7,000 Pures that will be pulled from retail stores and put back into warehouses. All of the affected phones would have to be taken away by March 5th.

While no reasons are directly given for the withdrawal, BGR hears from sources that it relates directly to poor sales. The handset isn't the subject of a recall and is believed on its way out to make room for phones that are "worth the shelf space," according to one tip. At most, retail stores will have just one or two on hand.

The move is symbolic of Microsoft's current struggle to get significant sales for Windows Mobile. The Pure was launched in early October as one of the flagships for Windows Mobile 6.5, which launched the same day; it was meant to draw attention to the aging platform but neither it nor other phones, like the HTC Imagio at Verizon, have gained significant traction.

At AT&T, the Pure is especially hindered by having to compete with the iPhone as well as flagship BlackBerries like the Bold 9700, both of which have received more concerted marketing efforts and public attention. The carrier is still committed to Microsoft and just last week became one of only two worldwide "premium partners" for Windows Phone 7 when it arrives late this year.

An AT&T spokesperson declined to comment.

By Electronista Staff