Buy a Lumia 950 XL, Get a Lumia 950 For Free

Well, now they’re just giving them away: Microsoft customers in the U.S. and Canada can now purchase a Lumia 950 XL phablet and get the Lumia 950 smart phone for free.

Note: Thanks to the many readers who tipped me off to this deal.

This deal is valid for one week, or through May 1, 2016, or while supplies last. As you might expect, there are a number of gotchas:

You have to actually buy a Lumia 950 XL. And it has to be the unlocked version, available from the Microsoft Store, which costs $649 (CA$849). These are expensive prices. But you can at least choose between a white and black case.

The Lumia 950 is black only. For the freebie 950, you must accept the black case. There’s no option for a white case version.

Microsoft Store only, U.S./Canada only This offer is available in Microsoft retail and online store in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada only, Microsoft notes.

Other limitations. The offer is not valid on prior orders or purchases, it cannot be transferred or otherwise redeemed for cash or coupons, and it may not be combinable with other offers. (You may recall that Microsoft is currently offering trade-ins on the Lumia 920, 925, and 1020; you can’t do both.) And you can only buy 2 per customer.

It’s a Windows phone. The 950 and 950 XL are not exactly beloved by the Windows phone community, though I think they are decent enough smart phones. The issue, as always, is apps: With Microsoft walking away from the smart phone market, these products are orphans and will never see the wide range of support we get on Android and iOS. (That said, the ability to keep upgrading via the Windows Insider program should be of interest to enthusiasts.)

Still interested? Go to town:

• Microsoft Lumia 950 XL – Unlocked (Microsoft Store U.S.)
• Microsoft Lumia 950 XL – Unlocked (Microsoft Store Canada)