Sprint's BlackBerry Pearl 8130 will run $199

The existence and imminent launch of the Pearl on Sprint is no secret whatsoever; Sprint has announced it and heck, we've even played with it. One thing Sprint had been coy about revealing, though, was pricing. It doesn't take a genius to figure out the rough range Sprint would be looking to hit, of course, but it's nice to know exactly how many pennies we need to save up to make a particular phone materialize in our pockets, isn't it? It turns out that that holiday promotion site -- you know, the one that caused the whole Motorola Q2 confusion -- revealed that little gem, and the going price is $199 after a $100 mail-in rebate, two-year contract, and purchase of a data plan valued at $25 or higher. Sound fair?

[Thanks, Terry S.]

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 12:44PM]

So much for their market share......... Isn't Verizon only charging $149 for the Pearl 2? WTF? I hope Sprint is throwing some serious goodies in there.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 1:05PM]

I got my VzW 8130 for $50 after new every 2 discount + signing up for a data plan + $50 rebate.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 9:31PM]

I got the same deal as Adam. $299 - $100 NE2 - $100 Advanced Device credit (for data plan) - $50 rebate = $49. I switched from a Vzw Motorola Q and now have a cheaper data plan (also decreased my minutes, but lost the PDA SMS2K text feature in the process)

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 1:19PM]

Sprint SAYS $199, but they know everyone will be checking Employee Discount and SERO sites to see what they really get it for.

e.g.; through my VZW employee discount, I got the Pearl for $49 after mail-in rebate and no NE2 to cash in. If I'd had that, it'd been free after rebate.

[Mark Larson Posted Nov 15th 2007 1:47PM]

Most of us aren't employees, and SERO usually gets the same pricing as the regular online store.

Even with the $30 BIS plan, the Pearl2 will be twice as expensive per month than any other phone, including the Mogul, Q and 755p/Centro.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 1:59PM]

Are they saying that in order to get this phone for $200 we would need to add a completely NEW phone line to your current plan?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 10:01PM]

The $30.00 BIS plans also includes Sprint Navigation and unlimited SMS. Better deal than the PowerVision plans.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 2:58PM]

I'm hoping Sprint sells it for $150 with an additional $50 online rebate. My gripe right now is that Verizon offers if for $199 out of pocket with an INSTANT $100 online rebate and then you will get a $50 mail in rebate bringing the total to $150. Sprint's current offering is that you pay them $299 and do a MAIL-IN rebate of $100(and wait 10-14 weeks...) you will get the phone for $199. I've had my current phone with Sprint for 3yrs because they had a terrible phone selection at my 2yr upgrade point and I waited an additional year waiting for the Pearl to finally make it's showing on Sprint. If Sprint thinks I'm going to pay them $300 and wait 10-14 weeks to get $100 back and STILL not have it as cheap as Verizon I will be leaving Sprint after 10yrs. Sprint would be wise to have the same deal as Verizon. They have a good deal on the Centro. I'll be calling a retention specialist as soon as it's released to see if they can get me the phone for $150 out of pocket. If not, byebye Sprint.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 16th 2007 11:13AM]

OMG.. You people crack me up. It's gimme gimme gimme.. must call retentions to get free free free.. Get a life. It's a frigg'n phone.. Vz may be selling it cheaper but you have a trade off. Sucky network and they nickle dime you to death. So, get your cheap phone but pay through the nose for your plan(s). They all suck but at least Sprint is cheaper in the long run.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 17th 2007 7:53AM]

Yeah... Sprint is cheaper in the sense you're paying for a service that is not so great. So you get GPS. Yay... Would be nice if your calls stay connected when talking to people... So yeah. I'm going to nickle and dime for the 8130 with Sprint. Having stayed with them for 10 years and seen how they "were" compared how they currently "are", they owe it to me.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 20th 2007 6:59PM]

any news on the Sprint getting the Curve?