AT&T BlackBerry Torch 9800 Price Cut in Half; Just $0.01 on Amazon

If you’re eyeing a brand new BlackBerry Torch 9800 this holiday season, AT&T has some good news for you: The Torch 9800, RIM’s first BlackBerry with both a touch-screen and a full QWERTY “physical” keyboard, is now available for just $100, along with a new two-year service agreement.

AT&T also announced last week that it’s offering the Torch in two, new–and rather festive–color options for the upcoming holiday season: white and red. The Torch is also still available in “charcoal.” And the device is for sale via AT&T with no strings attached for $500.

A price tag of $100 is very reasonable for the Torch, in my opinion–especially since no mail-in rebate appears to be required. But penny-pinchers will also be glad to hear that AT&T’s price is not the best deal on the Web. Amazon.com, which has been selling the Torch 9800 for $100 with a new service agreement since its launch last August, is offering the Torch for just one U.S. cent, along with a new two-year contract. Unfortunately, Amazon does not seem to be selling the red or white Torch; only the charcoal version is available for a penny.

I typically prefer to purchase my devices in wireless carriers’ own retail outlets and not online–I want the device as soon as I lay down my cash, and I like to build relationships with my local carrier representatives. But you really don’t get much better than that Amazon.com price.

Read my full review of the BlackBerry Torch 9800 for more details on the device. And then check out my Torch “super guide” for a variety of related resources.

AS

Al Sacco covers Mobile and Wireless for CIO.com. Follow Al on Twitter @ASacco. Follow everything from CIO.com on Twitter @CIOonline. Email Al at ASacco@CIO.com.