Microsoft kicked off preorders for its Lumia 950 XL powerhouse and is offering a free Display Dock to customers who preorder in the U.S. and Canada.
While the smaller Lumia 950 went up for preorder from AT&T, the Lumia 950 XL is available for preorder only from Microsoft and customers will have to shell out the full retail price, as the handset comes unlocked.
The Lumia 950 XL costs $649 in the U.S., while the Canadian version of the Microsoft Store is selling the same device for CAD$849. It may not be the most affordable smartphone out there, but it has powerful specs to justify that price tag.
As a reminder, the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL boasts a massive 5.7-inch WQHD display with a 2,560 x 1,440 pixel resolution and packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor under the hood, complete with special precautionary measures to prevent it from overheating. A hefty 3 GB of RAM should ensure the phablet runs smoothly and without hiccups.
Other specs include 32 GB of internal storage capacity, expandable up to 200 GB via microSD, a 20-megapixel main camera with PureView technology, OIS and Carl Zeiss optics, and a 5-megapixel front camera for selfies and video chats. A 3,340 mAh battery will keep things up and running, and is rechargeable via a USB Type-C port at the bottom of the handset.
Both the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL run Windows 10 out of the box and can take full advantage of Microsoft's Continuum, which allows the smartphones to serve as mini PCs. With this new offer, the Lumia 950 XL bundles the special Display Dock for free.
Normally priced at $99, this Microsoft Display Dock connects to the smartphone via the USB-C port and delivers DisplayPort, HDMI, USB 2.0 and USB-C connections so users can pair a display and peripherals. Using the Display Dock with Continuum in Windows 10 transforms the Lumia 950 XL into a "PC-like work environment."
The free Display Dock offer is not available for the Lumia 950, nor for the Lumia 950 XL in other markets outside of the U.S. and Canada. The deal is only valid for Lumia 950 XL preorder customers in the U.S. and Canada, at least for now.
Microsoft says it will ship the Lumia 950 XL by Dec. 11, which means that customers should receive their handsets soon enough. The Display Dock will be available for free through a special code preorder customers will receive.
"Valid with purchase and offer registration between 11/25/15 and 1/31/16 while supplies last. Redeem promotional code online through Microsoft Store by 2/29/16. Valid credit or debit card required at time of redemption," Microsoft notes in the fine print.
Read the full terms and conditions for more information.
