The Street Takes a Wild Stab: $150 for the Palm Pre 24
Your guess is as good as ours as to to when the Palm Pre is actually getting released (you can always find our latest rumor-mongering on that very subject by clicking the graphic in the sidebar), but there's another unknown with the Pre: Price. Scott Moritz of TheStreet.com cites the now-standard guess of an iPhone-matching $199 after rebates, but then decided to throw a match into the Pre-speculation powder keg by suggesting that Sprint just might be desperate enough for a hit to price it at $150.
Our take: doubtful. We'd love to see the Pre come out at $150, but the $199 or $249 price point seems much more likely. As with the actual release date itself, we're also confident that the exact pricing will be a last-minute decision. The last time Sprint tried to make a big splash with a phone launch was with the original Samsung Instinct, the price for which wasn't set until literally a couple weeks before launch in a stab at beating out -- you guessed it -- the iPhone.
What do you think? Will Sprint and Palm try to undercut the $199 iPhone price? Price it higher? Will there be an "early adopters fee" price followed by a price drop 6 months later?
Thanks to lugose in our Palm Pre Forums for the tip!
24 Comments
I heavily disagree. Considering that the iPhone has gradually been reduced in price from the insane price they asked for it at first. Let's not forget that the 3G is an older model, as in it didn't come out in 2009, so a direct comparison in price is oranges to radishes in this respect.
And plus, Mr. Colligan already gestured that they don't plan to compete directly with the iPhone. Although everyone seems to disagree with him, I agree. The Pre is a unique product in itself and it's success is closely tied to Palm and Sprint's ability to differentiate it from other smartphones.
I think $249 after a $100 rebate that requires the customer to sign up for a Simply Everything plan that's at least $69/month is sensible, considering the value proposition of the Pre on Sprint's plans, it wouldn't look pretentious or outrageous.
Just my opinion
$199 sounds about right but I have no problem paying $250. I could care less that the iphone is $50 dollars less. $50 dollars more for a better phone makes sense. Some idiots will be tricked because they want to save $50 dollars up front but will cry when they see their monthly bill and know that I have a better phone.