Moto's Z8 hero handset snubbed

One of the summer's biggest mobile launches, and Motorola's hero handset for the year, the Z8, will not be taken on by three of the networks at launch. Orange, T-Mobile and 3 will not be featuring the device in their portfolios on the handset's launch.

An Orange spokesman said: 'The Z8 was one of a number of handsets reviewed by Orange. However, it has not been selected for our final range.'

The device may become available through T-Mobile later in the year as the network is still confirming its range for the second half of 2007. A Motorola spokesman said: 'T-Mobile, like Orange, has not committed at this stage.'

The device was shipping this week and is expected to be in Vodafone stores this Thursday, available on all monthly price plans. Vodafone said it will be free on 'higher end' tariffs on both 18 and 12-month contracts; however, customers will lose out on extra-value offers if they buy the phone on a 12-month plan.

The Z8 will also be available from O2 next week and Carphone Warehouse soon after. Phones 4u said the Z8 is expected to be in stores this weekend, starting with a two-week exclusive on Vodafone. It is unknown which networks the phone will be sold on after the Vodafone exclusive finishes, as devices sold at Phones 4u must be network approved.

Motorola marketing manager James King said: 'With regards to our other partners who are currently not taking the product, hopefully they will look at the success of the product with a view of maybe taking it at a later stage or certainly looking at products that follow on from this leading video phone.

'King said Motorola is confident of the Z8's success. 'Vodafone, O2, Carphone, Phones 4u and distributors 20:20 and Brightstar – they've all been in for this product right from the beginning and we are really excited about the progression of the product,' he said.

The handset was praised in Mobile's Retailer Review.

Motorola has been plugging the kick-slider phone heavily in the run-up to its release with a £5m marketing campaign, describing it as 'the biggest push of the year'.

© Copyright 2007 : Noble House Media Ltd