Verizon Drops the BlackBerry Storm to $50, Cuts Prices on Other RIM Models, Too

Verizon has cut the purchase price of the BlackBerry Storm in half. It has also cut the prices of a pair of other recently-released RIM models, the BlackBerry Tour and BlackBerry Pearl Flip.

In addition, Verizon is offering to give anyone who buys a BlackBerry a second BlackBerry of equal or lesser value for free.

This carrier didn't reveal why it is being so agressive with its pricing.

About the Phones
The Storm is the first BlackBerry with a touchscreen, and it debuted last fall at $200. Since then the price was dropped to $100, and now it has been further reduced to $50.

The Pearl Flip is also a somewhat unique device, being the first BlackBerry with a clamshell design. It launched from Verizon in June at $80, and this carrier is now asking $40.

The Tour is Verizon's latest BlackBerry -- hitting the market just last month. It has the typical RIM design, a tablet shape with a forward-facing keyboard. It debuted at $200, but is already dropped by $50.

In addition, this carrier offers the BlackBerry Curve 8330 and the BlackBerry 8830 for $50.

Note: Getting any of these prices requires signing a two-year service contract, and in some cases agreeing to a smartphone data plan.

Source: Verizon