Verizon Wireless and Nokia announced the upcoming availability of the Nokia Lumia 822 - a Windows Phone 8 smartphone exclusive to Verizon Wireless.

The Nokia Lumia 822 delivers high-end features in a compact package, including an 8MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, alongside a 1.2MP HD front-facing camera. The Nokia Lumia 822 also features an exchangeable shell design, sold separately, which supports wireless charging.

The Nokia Lumia 822 also comes with Nokia Drive+, a turn-by-turn voice navigation solution featuring offline access and pre-loaded US maps - replacing the need for a standalone personal navigation device. In addition, the Nokia Lumia 822 comes with Nokia City Lens, the latest addition to the Nokia location suite and the start of a new augmented reality experience that also enhances Nokia Maps.

To take advantage of its camera capabilities, the Nokia Lumia 822 supports features to make the most out of photos and videos, available on the Windows Phone Store for download. Smart Shoot lets users remove moving objects and select the best faces for the perfect shot every time, and Cinemagraph allows users to turn photos into animated GIFs. Panorama makes it easy to capture an entire scene or landscape, while Creative Studio allows users to enhance their pictures with effects.

The Nokia Lumia 822 also comes with Nokia Music - an ad-free music streaming application, requiring no registration, no log-in or subscription.

AT&T will also start selling Nokia's high-end Lumia 820 and 920 phones in early November.

Microsoft is due to unveil its Windows Phone 8 software later on Monday.