AT&T promos bring free BlackBerry, no iPhone deals
updated 02:45 pm EST, Wed November 25, 2009
AT&T Thanksgiving weekend focus on BBerries
AT&T dipped into Black Friday deals with word today of its Thanksgiving promo. The cell carrier promises unspecified deals on Friday itself starting from midnight but plans a major promo for each day of the weekend as well as Monday. Saturday will focus exclusively on BlackBerries and will give away the Curve 8310 or Pearl 8110 for free on a smartphone contract. Price drops are also due for the Curve 8320, which will cost $50, and the Curve 8900 at $100.
On Sunday, the company plans to offer several of its traditional messaging phones for free on a contract, including Samsung's Solstice, Magnet and Propel, the Motorola Karma and the LG Neon. Monday's deal will focus on one-cent pricing for some of its higher-end smartphones and media devices, such as the Nokia E71x, Sony Ericsson C905, Curve 8900, Pantech Reveal and Samsung Jack.
Conspicuously absent are any iPhone discounts, including refurbished models. Historically, Apple's pricing model has prevented most discounts, but AT&T also isn't selling any refurbished iPhones as it has in the past. Promos such as the BlackBerry giveaway and Verizon's Buy One Get One deal are credited with helping the BlackBerry keep its lead in US cellphone sales.
