The blog PreCentral.net is now reporting the Palm Pre smartphone will receive a $50 price cut that will temporarily drop the price to $149.99.
It's likely the deal could run from now until Oct. 31, but it's unknown if the $50 price cut will become permanent. The deal will be available with Sprint "indirect retail channels" only, meaning official Sprint stores, Sprint.com, and the Sprint telesales line will not offer the price.
The news comes courtesy of a "generous tipster working at a Sprint 'indirect partner retail dealer,'" who possibly works at a non-corporate Sprint store.
Since the smartphone market is becoming increasingly cluttered, especially as Sprint prepares for the HTC Hero smartphone on Oct. 11, a Pre price cut may not be a bad idea at the moment. The Google Android-powered phone will be available for $180 and is expected to be one of the best Android phones available.
The Palm Centro will be available for $29.99, Treo 800w for $49.99, Treo 755p for $99.99, and Treo Pro for $199.99 -- all with a two-year contract with the Everything Data or Simply Everything plan.
Although the Pre smartphone hasn't been as popular as expected, it's good to see Sprint moving forward with other smartphones. The Hero looks like a very good phone, but it remains to be seen if that's enough to attract wireless subscribers away from AT&T, Verizon Wireless, or T-Mobile.
