Samsung has announced its first Windows Phone 8 device, the ATIV S, at its pre-IFA 2012 press conference in Berlin.

The handset is one of the first to debut with the forthcoming Microsoft platform and features a specification far surpassing that of any previous Windows Phone device.

Powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor and 1GB of RAM, the ATIV S comes complete with a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display. Power is supplied via a large capacity 2300mAh battery and the handset also sports an 8 megapixel onboard camera.

With a design reminiscent of the Galaxy S II and featuring a high-end finish including brushed aluminium details, the ATIV S appears to be aimed squarely at the flagship sector for the Windows Phone market.

Although pricing and launch details have yet to be announced, the ATIV S will certainly set alarm bells ringing at Nokia. The Finnish firm has thus far been the key smartphone partner for Microsoft’s mobile platform, but it appears to be the case that Samsung may well muscle in if the ATUV S is able to live up to the hype.