Microsoft will sell the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus inside its retail store. The handsets, however, will be slightly different to the versions you can buy in other retail stores and from networks.

These Galaxy S8 phones will be Microsoft Edition phones, meaning they will carry Microsoft applications – applications like Office, OneDrive, Cortana and Outlook.

Why is Microsoft doing this? Simple: it wants to use the Galaxy S8/Galaxy S8 Plus as a means of driving adoption of its Android applications.

Microsoft knows Samsung will sell A LOT of Galaxy S8 phones, so it’s obviously figured it might as well try and get in on the action. If you can’t beat them, you might as well join them, right?

“A Microsoft customisation is applied to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus Microsoft Edition when the devices are unboxed and connected to Wi-Fi.

“This customisation ensures customers a best-in-class productivity experience with Microsoft applications such as Office, OneDrive, Cortana, Outlook and more,” said Microsoft.

The handsets are now available for pre-order. In order to secure your’s, you need to head to your local Microsoft store and apply.

It is unclear whether this deal will also be available online inside the Microsoft Store as well. I just checked and couldn’t find anything. We’ll update you with more information as soon as it’s available.