Windows Phone 7 prices: the tariffs compared

So, you followed the liveblog at the unveiling, you watched the first advert, and you read ten reasons why you should buy a Windows Phone 7 handset.

Now come arguably the most important pieces of information for anybody wanting to get their mitts on Microsoft’s newest range of mobile magic: prices, tariffs, and operator availability.

Naturally enough, the Redmond-based company itself doesn’t stock any of the Windows Phone 7 range – too many OEMs, too little time and space – but UK customers can get their hands on any one of the five launch handsets from all the usual network suspects.

O2, Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone, and 3 have all announced their respective Windows Phone 7 line-up for the opening day of sales tomorrow.

Here then is a one-stop, handy guide to the Windows Phone 7 deals, tariffs, and network operators.

(I've even included links to the Windows Phone 7 registration / further info pages, where possible - don't say we don't treat you well here at Pocket Gamer.)

• The 4.3” touchscreen HTC HD 7 is exclusive to O2 and available for free on a 24-month contract at £40 a month. If HTC high definition is your thang, you'll receive 900 mins, unlimited texts, and 750MB of data on that tariff.

• The 3.7" HTC Mozart can be picked up for free on a two-year Panther (grrrr) contract at £35 a month exclusively from Orange. Included in this deal are 600 mins, unlimited texts, 750MB of data, and 50 - yes, 50! - photo messages.
• Samsung's 4" touchscreen Omnia 7 is the most broadly available WinPho7 device at launch, so pay attention to the fine details. And then switch networks. The HD Voice-enabled Samsung Omnia 7 (or i8700 to its enemies) is free on a 24-month contract at £40 a month from Mr Orange.

• The fellows over at T-Mobile are rather shamelessly undercutting Orange on the 4" Samsung Omnia 7 - you can collect Sammy's Windows Phone 7 beauty tomorrow for free on a price-busting £35 a month contract spread over two years. Don't expect anything less than 900 mins, 500 texts, and 1GB of data.

• Both Vodafone blowers are exclusive to their phone masts, so contract comparisons are, well, frankly non-existent. The 3.8" HTC 7 Trophy will be available tomorrow for free on a 24-month contract at £25 a month. Bundled in are 300 mins, unlimited texts, and 500MB of data.
• The Big V is also stocking LG's 3.8" Optimus 7. Primed for action, LG's sole launch WinPho7 handset is free on a 24-month contract at £30 a month. For that monthly outlay, you will receive 600 mins, unlimited texts, and 500MB of data. Lovely.

• You can stride, purposefully, I presume, into a 3 store tomorrow morning at 9am and order Samsung's seemingly ubiquitous Omnia 7 for free at £40 a month on the One Plan. You could, alternatively, shell out £38 a month on the Internet Texter 900 plan or £35 a month on the Texter 500 tariff. All contracts last two years and should come packing 1GB of data.