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.

microsoft band 2
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.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

matt3526 Avatar
108 months ago
That's a pitiful amount of money for a trade in. I bet the conversation went something like this:
exec: How can we make money off the band 2.
employee: By doing a trade in and then selling the apple watch on Ebay
exec: Consider it done!
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vmistery Avatar
108 months ago
Yes Microsoft please take my Porsche in exchange for a Ford...
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sp1281 Avatar
108 months ago
Im totally going to do this.
I have a time machine and I'm about to go back to 2000. So I need a more appropriate watch for that time period.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dappadandy Avatar
108 months ago
('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/15/microsoft-apple-watch-trade-in/')


A new program ('https://microsoftwearablestrade.cexchange.com/online/home/index.rails') 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 ('http://www.cultofmac.com/407077/microsoft-wants-you-to-trade-in-your-apple-watch-for-a-band-2/')). 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 ('http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Microsoft-Band-2/productID.324438600'), 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:
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 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/10/06/microsoft-new-product-lineup-fall-2015/') 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 ('http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/29/9631634/new-microsoft-band-2-review-fitness-tracker') positive ('http://www.cnet.com/products/microsoft-band-2/'), 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 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/12/31/what-to-expect-from-apple-in-2016/') in April.

Article Link: Microsoft Offering Up to $250 Off Band 2 With Apple Watch Trade-In ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/15/microsoft-apple-watch-trade-in/')
Is there something I'm missing here? Why would an individual "give away" their Apple Watch at such a low price to then spend $100 more to get this Microsoft watch?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pacalis Avatar
108 months ago
Seems like an advertising stunt to close the perceived value gap between the two devices. MS is not necessarily anticipating a lot of trade-ins, but rather this is meant to put people on the fence thinking that MS is the new new thing and in the same ballpark as the apple offering.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spazzcat Avatar
108 months ago
The Band and Apple Watch are two different devices. One focus on fitness with smart watch features the other is a smart watch with fitness features....
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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