Lumia 950 and Lumia 905 XL
Microsoft's Lumia 950 and 950 XL will be available for purchase at reduced prices Microsoft

Microsoft Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL have received surprise price-cuts in the UK, even as the devices are yet to be released in the country. When the Redmond-based technology giant launched the handsets, it had announced that the Lumia 950 would be priced at £500 ($765), while the Lumia 950 XL would cost £550.

However, now the Lumia 950 has been listed on Microsoft's online store in the UK for £450, while the 950 XL has been priced at £530. The latest price reduction was initially spotted by WMPowerUser and it seems like the price-cut is for those who pre-order the device online.

As per the listing, the Lumia 950 has received a £50 reduction and the 950 XL has been subjected to a £20 price-cut. The cut in price is currently applicable only in the UK.

Meanwhile, as per the Kantar World Panel's recent OS market-share survey, Windows Phone gained substantial market share between June and August 2015. In the UK, Windows Phone market share rose to 11.3%, which represents a gain of 0.3% in comparison to the same period last year.

Other countries where Windows Phone made rapid strides -- between June and August 2015 -- include Germany (3.6%), France (3.2%) and Australia (2.3%). With the trend indicating positive growth for Windows Phones, Microsoft may have resorted to the latest price-cuts to increase its market share in the UK as well.

The company would begin shipping the devices to those who pre-order in the UK in November. The handsets could go on to compete with a variety of similar-range smartphones. One such device is the China-branded OnePlus 2. Check out how the Lumia 950 XL and OnePlus 2 compare.