A new program from Microsoft is encouraging Apple Watch users to switch over to the Microsoft Band 2 with a few tiers of trade-in initiatives (via Cult of Mac). The company is offering "as much as" $150 for the aluminum Apple Watch Sport, $200 for the stainless steel Apple Watch with a Sport band, and $250 for the Apple Watch with Milanese Loop.
The Microsoft Band 2 itself costs $250, so the Milanese Loop trade-in offer is the only one available that would fully pay off the price of the wearable band. Microsoft is also accepting other wearables for users to trade for a new Band 2, including a FitBit Flex ($10), Sony SmartWatch 3 ($25), and Pebble Time Steel ($25). For any successful trade-in, a device must abide by a few stipulations listed by Microsoft:
• Device's housing and band are completely intact without cracks or missing parts.
• Device is completely functional, including:
-All keys work.
-Device powers on.
-Device screen is not cracked or broken.
-Device screen responds to touch
-No security codes or PIN codes are required to operate the device.
The program runs for a few more weeks, ending on February 7, and is available only to users on the Microsoft Online Store in the United States and Canada. Microsoft unveiled the Band 2 at an event back in October, and launched it the same month, introducing a new curved screen with durable Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and an improved touch display on the wearable smartwatch.
Response to the new generation of the Microsoft Band wasn't entirely positive, so the company's new trade-in program could be an attempt to generate some sales for the device in the months leading up to the Apple Watch 2's rumored launch in April.
