A couple of weeks ago, the Microsoft Store in the UK opened pre-orders for the Elite x3, HP"s new flagship-class Windows 10 Mobile handset. Microsoft has now cut its price, but it"s also pushed back the device"s release date slightly.
The Microsoft Store listing originally priced the Elite x3 at £749, making it available only as part of a "Business Pack" that includes the Desk Dock accessory, which will allow owners to use a mouse and keyboard with the device when connected to a larger display.
But Microsoft has since reduced the price of the Elite x3 Business Pack to £706.80, matching the pre-order price from HP.com - that"s £42.20 (5.6%) less than its earlier price.
HP has also revised its listing for the device; it originally said that the Elite x3 would cost £706.80 on its own, with the Desk Dock as an optional extra. But HP now says that the handset will come with the Desk Dock for the same price.
Elsewhere, Clove.co.uk has increased its price for the Elite x3 and Desk Dock; originally listed at £680, it"s since risen to £700, with stock expected to come in tomorrow, August 19.
HP is still being vague about the handset"s release date, saying only that it will be "delivered in 5-10 working days". The Microsoft Store previously said that the Elite x3 would be released on August 18 - today - but that"s been revised to August 22.
Key specs of the Elite x3 include:
- 5.96-inch AMOLED with Quad HD (2560x1440px) resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, and anti-reflective coating
- Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB onboard storage (plus microSD card support)
- 16MP rear camera
- 8MP front-facing camera
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth 4.0
- NFC support
- 4G LTE connectivity
- Optional dual-SIM support
- USB 3.0 port with Type-C connector
- Iris scanner
- Fingerprint scanner
- IP67 rating for dust- and water-resistance
- MIL-STD-810G rating, assuring device protection for drops from up to 1 meter
- Pogo pins
- Qi wireless charging
- 4150mAh battery
- 161.8 x 83.5 x 7.8mm; 194g
Bear in mind that while the Elite x3 includes a fingerprint sensor on the back, HP documentation recently revealed that it won"t be supported at launch. The handset"s spec sheet stated that the sensor "will not be enabled until OTA update in Fall 2016".
You can find out more about the Elite x3 in our feature article from earlier this year, in which we also spoke to a HP executive about the handset"s development.
Source: Microsoft Store