Microsoft released its first sales figures on Dec. 21 for new Windows Phone 7 smartphones, saying more than 1.5 million of the handsets were sold in the first six weeks.
Achim Berg, vice president of business and marketing for Windows Phones, said sales were "in line with our expectations -- especially when compared to other new platform introductions."
Microsoft unveiled the latest version of its mobile phone operating system in October as it seeks to claim back lost market share from Apple's iPhone, the Blackberry and devices powered by Google's Android software.
South Korea's Samsung and LG Electronics, Taiwan's HTC and computer giant Dell are among the companies manufacturing Windows Phone 7 handsets.
"We know we have tough competition, and this is a completely new product," Berg said. "We're in the race -- it's not a sprint but we are certainly gaining momentum and we're in it for the long run."
"Measuring for success is more long term than short term," he said. "We launched with many of the top mobile operators in the world, and even more in the coming year in 2011."
According to Gartner, a technology research firm, Microsoft's share of the global mobile operating system market will fall to 4.7% this year from 8.7% last year.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010
