Two weeks ago, Microsoft opened pre-orders for HP"s Elite x3 in the United States, indicating that the new Windows 10 Mobile flagship would be released on September 12. But as in the UK, the Microsoft Store has now pushed back that release date.
UK pre-orders were originally due to begin shipping on August 18, but that date slipped to August 22, and again to September 6. Microsoft may have been erring on the side of the caution there, as the Elite x3 actually began shipping on August 31 - somewhat later than originally planned, but not quite as late as had been feared.
In the US, the Microsoft Store now says that the device won"t be released until September 26, two weeks later than previously stated. Those who pre-ordered the handset there will no doubt be hoping that Microsoft is being similarly cautious with the new US release date, and that shipments will begin sooner than that.
HP told Neowin last month that it would begin selling the Elite x3 on its US site today, September 5. At time of publishing, HP hadn"t begun accepting orders for the handset on its site. It"s not yet clear if the delay affecting pre-orders from the Microsoft Store will also impact upon deliveries direct from HP.com.
The Elite x3 is priced at $799, which includes the Desk Dock accessory that allows owners to use a mouse and keyboard with the handset, when connected to a larger display.
The Elite x3"s key specs 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
The Elite x3 comes with an earlier version of Windows 10 Mobile installed, but the Anniversary Update should be available for the device by the time it begins shipping in the US. HP has already delivered its first over-the-air firmware update for the handset in the UK.