Microsoft Display Dock Free With Lumia 950 XL (With Caveats)

News
By Seth Colaner
published

Perhaps we're just used to Microsoft accessories costing so much money (I see you, $129 Surface 3 Type Cover), but the intriguing Display Dock that Microsoft announced as a companion to its flagship Lumia 950 and 950 XL handsets will be free.

At least, for a while. "While supplies last," according to Microsoft, and only for those in the U.S. And you'll have to wait a while to actually get the thing, it seems.

If you peek at the official Terms & Conditions, you can see that the offer of a free Display Dock runs just from Nov 20, 2015 - Jan 31, 2016. (So, we guess--wait to preorder for a few more days?) When you buy a Lumia 950 XL from the Microsoft Online Store, you'll get a $99 promotional code that you can redeem online any time before February 29, 2016, and it will take 8-10 weeks (!) for Microsoft to get you the Display Dock.

Arduous waiting aside, this is a brilliant way for Microsoft to gauge interest in the Display Dock. The company can easily compare sales of the Lumia 950 XL via its website to the number of claimed Display Docks. Giving them away removes a certain barrier for users, and making customers take an extra step to claim it will give Microsoft at least a clue as to whether or not anyone wants it. (Handing it out for free without asking would give the company no data at all.)

Preorder The Unlocked Lumia 950 XL Now

The Lumia 950 XL itself is now available for preorder on the Microsoft Online Store for $649. You can snag the black or white version, and of course, the handsets are unlocked.

The listing noted that the phones will begin shipping on December 11. Presumably, they'll all arrive in time for Christmas (but they likely won't make it to buyers by the end of Hanukkah, on December 14).

Windows 10 For Phones Assumptions

Microsoft has been vague on exact dates for these handsets, as well as for when the hotly-anticipated Windows 10 for phones update will roll out -- "December" is the time frame -- but in light of the fact that the Lumia 950 XL will start shipping on December 11, it's a good bet that the rollout will begin around the same time.

This holiday season is going to be key for Microsoft's mobile adventures. Presumably, there are throngs of Windows Phone users who have been waiting for a new Lumia handset, but that's a gamble. Strong sales of the Lumia 950 XL and numerous Display Dock offer claims over the next couple of months are paramount; a tepid showing would be a disaster, as Microsoft already barely has a pulse in the U.S. mobile market.

Update, 11/18/15, 8:25pm PT: The free Display Dock offer will extend to Microsoft Online Stores in the UK, Ireland and Gerrmany; although unconfirmed via sources, it's also clearly available in Canada as well.

______________________________________________________________________

Seth Colaner is the News Director at Tom's Hardware. He curates and edits the news channel and also writes on a variety of topics. He would have become a professional ultimate Frisbee player, but he was born 15 years too early. 

Follow him on Twitter @SethColaner. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, RSS, Twitter and YouTube.

Seth Colaner
21 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Ghoul
    But cannot buy separately. So, do I have to dispose my current lumia and pay 649 to get that?
    Reply
  • FUNANDJAM
    If you peek at the official Terms & Conditions, you can see that the offer of a free Display Dock runs just from Nov 20, 2015 - Jan 31, 2015.


    Think the author of thsi article has been watching too much back to the future.
    Reply
  • chubbyinternetnerd
    I bought a 950 from AT&T this morning and gotta tracking number saying it's arriving tomorrow. So 12/11 seems a bit far off for the Windows 10 Mobile update considering it's shipping with it installed. The December 11 date might be referring to the updates being pushed out to existing phones. Either that or I'm getting a phone tomorrow with beta software.
    Reply
  • falchard
    It looks like they have all the current supply of 950s sent to ATT. You cannot pre-order the 950 directly from Microsoft. Since I couldn't I pre-ordered the 950XL. Which is nice That I am now getting a gift from Microsoft for the difference in price of the base 950 and the XL.
    Also it says it will ship by November 25th. It might be different for people in different countries. I live in California which I thought Toms Hardware was based.
    Reply
  • scolaner
    If you peek at the official Terms & Conditions, you can see that the offer of a free Display Dock runs just from Nov 20, 2015 - Jan 31, 2015.


    Think the author of thsi article has been watching too much back to the future.

    Hah, yes, typo. Jan 31 2016.
    Reply
  • Spawn73
    Ghoul Wrote:

    But cannot buy separately. So, do I have to dispose my current lumia and pay 649 to get that?


    Answer:

    Why do you want the dock without an Lumia 950?


    MOD EDIT: Direct insults to users and this forum are not tolerated.
    Reply
  • jasonelmore
    i wouldnt go out and buy this phone in a hurry just to get the dock.. because microsoft might change their mind after you buy it, and not send you anything.

    You can't trust anything they say after the OneDrive debacle where they punished free users for something .0005% of people were doing on the 1TB plans.
    Reply
  • nikolajj
    But cannot buy separately. So, do I have to dispose my current lumia and pay 649 to get that?
    It will not be usable with older handsets. To use it, you will need the new phone anyway.
    Reply
  • cheese9k
    Shame this is US only. After playing with one of these a couple weeks back, I was really impressed. This probably would have made me purchase it :P

    Then again, I am pretty much a woman when I see something that says "Special offer".
    Reply
  • Ghoul Wrote:

    But cannot buy separately. So, do I have to dispose my current lumia and pay 649 to get that?


    Answer:

    Why do you want the dock without an Lumia 950?

    If you use your head a little, you can come up with a bunch of reasons why someone would want that dock without a Lumia 950.
    - You bought the phone when there were no bundles available, and now you're waiting for the dock to become available so you can buy it separately.

    - You somehow broke or lost the dock and need a new one, but don't feel like buying a new phone for that.

    - You want to keep one dock at home, and one at work, so you only need to plug your phone and not the keyboard, mouse, and screen.
    You know what? I'd rather be a "loser" than a retard who just signed up to a forum full of losers only to call the people there "losers", and can't even think straight.
    Reply