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Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Verizon Wireless have sharply discounted their smartphones and tablet computers in time for Black Friday, which kicks off the holiday shopping spree Nov. 25.
Amazon Wireless, Amazon’s mobile subsidiary, is selling Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows Phone and Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) BlackBerry phones from Verizon, AT&T (NYSE:T), Sprint (NYSE:S) and T-Mobile for one penny to customers who accept a new two-year deal from the corresponding carriers.
Upgrades or contract extensions are not included; clearly the value in selling phones carriers would normally sell from $149.99 to $299.99 on contract for a penny lies in luring new wireless subscribers.
This so-called “penny pincher” sale, which runs through Monday, Nov. 28, includes 98 models of pretty much any new smartphone that isn’t an Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone.
Amazon is selling the Motorola Droid Razr and Motorola Droid Bionic 4G smartphones from Verizon; the Samsung Galaxy S II handsets from AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile; the white BlackBerry Torch 4G 9810 from AT&T; the BlackBerry Bold 9930 from Verizon; and the Samsung Focus S 4G Windows phone from AT&T.
Verizon is offering its own deals, many of which start Nov. 24 (today) and run through Nov. 28.
The No. 2 U.S. carrier is offering its HTC Droid Incredible 2 in red online from its Website for free with a new contract. The red Droid Incredible 2 will then appear in Verizon retail stores nationwide for free after a $50 mail-in rebate only on Friday, Nov. 25. Verizon is also selling the Motorola Droid 3 for $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer.
On the 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) front, Verizon is offering the LG Revolution 4G smartphone for $49.99 online on Nov. 24, 25 and 28 with a contract. The LG Revolution will be in Verizon retail stores at that holiday pricing after a $50 mail-in rebate only on Friday, Nov. 25.
Similarly, the 4G LTE Pantech Breakout will be available for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and new two-year customer agreement between Nov. 24 and Nov. 28.
Verizon is also offering a number of handsets for free after a $50 mail-in rebate and new two-year customer agreement. The LG Enlighten, Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, Samsung Intensity II, LG Cosmos 2 and Verizon USB551L USB 4G LTE modem will be available for free from Nov. 24 through Nov 28.
Verizon is also sharply discounting the first two Android tablets it sold.
The carrier is selling Motorola’s Xoom “Honeycomb” tablet online Nov. 24, 25 and 28 for $199.99 with a two-year mobile broadband plan beginning at $30 monthly access for 2GB of data. Verizon will also sell the Xoom nationwide for $199.99 on contract on Friday, Nov. 25, only.
In addition, the carrier is marking down the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab to $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and new two-year customer agreement between Nov. 24 and Nov. 28.
Device rebates will come as a debit card that can be used as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.