HP"s new Windows 10 Mobile flagship is available to pre-order in the UK, priced at £706.80 including 20% value-added tax (VAT), or £589 excluding VAT. Many UK businesses - at which the Elite x3 is primarily aimed - will be eligible for the VAT-free price. The pre-order package includes the Desk Dock accessory, which supports the PC-like Continuum feature, allowing owners to use a mouse and keyboard with the device when it"s connected to a larger display.
But you"ll also be able to purchase the Elite x3 without a Desk Dock, or purchase the Dock separately, and there"s also a range of official accessories for the high-end handset.
HP has priced the Elite x3 on its own at £683 in the UK (£569 exc. VAT), while the standalone Desk Dock will cost £131 (£109 exc. VAT). That makes the combined handset/dock bundle much more attractive - buying these two items separately would cost around £814 (£678 exc. VAT).
HP has also revealed the prices of several other official accessories for the Elite x3:
- Passive Stylus | £8.40 | £7.00 exc. VAT
"Maximize your HP Elite x3"s productivity with the HP Elite x3 Passive Stylus, which allows you to write naturally on the screen and navigate touchscreen activities." - Wireless Charger | £46.80 | £39.00 exc. VAT
"Reduce your cable clutter and save time spent searching for the right adapter with the always-ready, always-on, HP Elite x3 Wireless Charger, which uses Qi inductive charging technology to wirelessly charge your HP Elite x3." - Anti-Shatter Glass Screen Protector | £8.40 | £7.00 exc. VAT
"Help protect your HP Elite x3 screen during the most rough-and-tumble of days with the HP Elite x3 Anti-Shatter Glass Screen Protector, which delivers maximum screen protection up to 9H hardness while retaining all of your touchscreen interactivity." - Privacy Screen | £10.80 | £9.00 exc. VAT
"Keep the visual eavesdroppers at bay, whether you’re working with your HP Elite x3 on the go or in a fixed location, with the HP Elite x3 Privacy Screen, which also retains your touchscreen interactivity." - Leather Wallet Case | £16.80 | £14.00 exc. VAT
"Help protect your HP Elite x3 from drops and dings with the flexible and functional HP Elite x3 Wallet Folio Leather Case[1], which has a built-in stand for use on a desk or table and convenient slots for your ID, credit cards, and business cards." - Rugged Case | £10.80 | £9.00 exc. VAT
"Shield your HP Elite x3 from whatever the day may bring with the anti-slip grip, shock-absorbing HP Elite x3 Rugged Case, which is designed to pass MIL-STD drop testing up to 6 feet (1.8 m)... Using the HP Elite x3 Rugged Case with the Desk Dock requires the use of the HP Elite x3 Rugged/Silicone Case Top Cover, also sold separately." - Silicone Case | £10.80 | £9.00 exc. VAT
"Comfortably carry your HP Elite x3 with the HP Elite x3 Silicone Case, which has an anti-slip finish and puts a layer of protection between your device and the real world."
However, perhaps the most intriguing accessory for the Elite x3 isn"t yet listed on HP"s UK store. The Lap Dock is a notebook-style device that offers Continuum support on the go, allowing users to connect the phone to the device to use it like a laptop. But while there are numerous references to it on listings for the Elite x3 as an "optional" accessory, HP hasn"t yet published any detailed information about it, nor has it revealed its price.
We also don"t know exactly when the Elite x3 will begin shipping in the UK. HP.com"s listing for the device/handset bundle still says it will be "delivered in 5-10 working days", but it"s said that since August 11.
The Microsoft Store listing for the same bundle initially promised delivery by August 18, before that was pushed back to August 22. Now, pre-orders have been suspended there, and the device is listed as "out of stock".