There is a benefit to not manufacturing your own hardware. Once Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) releases its latest operating system on Oct. 6, it expects 15 handset manufacturers to launch an impressive 30 smartphones by year end.

Companies, like Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) and Palm (NSDQ: PALM), which build everything from the software to the hardware would never be able to accomplish such a feat. Some of Microsoft’s handset partners include: HTC, Acer, Samsung, LG (SEO: 066570) Sony (NYSE: SNE) Ericsson (NSDQ: ERIC), Toshiba, and HP. In addition, Microsoft has a nice list of carrier partners lined up to sell the new phones, including AT&T (NYSE: T), Sprint (NYSE: S), Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ), Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone (NYSE: VOD), NTT DoCoMo (NYSE: DCM) and Telus.

The impressive roadmap was reported by DigiTimes, which said Benjamin Tan, senior director, of Mobile Team Unit at Microsoft China, revealed the numbers to a group of reporters in China recently.