One of Australia"s largest mobile operators is hoping to encourage buyers to purchase Microsoft"s Windows 10 Mobile flagships by bundling an Xbox One console with either device.
Optus is offering the Xbox One for $0 upfront to those who buy the Lumia 950 or 950 XL on a two-year plan costing $80 AUD or more.
The Xbox One is effectively "free" as long as you stay on the plan for the full two-year term. On its site, it points out that "if you leave your plan early you will need to pay out the full remaining cost of the Xbox One 500GB", in addition to any other costs associated with the contract and the price of the handset itself.
With demand for Windows phones continuing to fall around the world, those offering the devices face the challenge of actually selling them to indifferent buyers. In the US, Microsoft gave a free Lumia 950 with its Lumia 950 XL flagship last month, and is currently offering $150 off either device when trading in an older high-end Lumia.
In the UK, it recently offered a £40 discount on the Lumia 950 when purchased with a Surface device. Both Microsoft and its retail partners have also been reducing the price of the 950 and 950 XL in the UK since before the two handsets officially launched there.