China Mobile has yet to convince Apple to partner on an iPhone that supports its proprietary TD-SCDMA 3G network, but that hasn’t stopped the carrier from attracting customers to the device. In fact, China Mobile added 5 million new iPhone users in just four months, and it now serves a total of 9.5 million iPhone users, Bloomberg said. Each of those customers can use text, voice and 2G data, and all of the iPhone models it sells are unsubsidized. That may sound like a turnoff, but China Mobile has increased its iPhone user base by building out a nationwide Wi-Fi network to make up for its 3G shortcomings, and the carrier is also offering rebates worth as much as $440. The carrier plans to add an additional 1 million hotspots throughout China during the next three years, too. China Unicom has been an exclusive iPhone partner in China since 2005 and while it has less 3G subscribers than China Mobile, it is able to offer a 3G-capable iPhone because it operates a WCDMA 3G network. 

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It was fun while it lasted. BGR exclusively reported back in May that Sprint was doing away with mail-in rebates for an unspecified period of time. According to a purported leaked document obtained by Sprint news site SprintFeed, the limited-time promotion will come to an end later this month. “Duuude, where’s my rebate?” the dealer memo asks. The answer — riddled with errors, though it may be — is July 24th. As we’ve learned long ago, typos and grammar mistakes hardly mean a carrier-made document is fake, and Sprint customers who prefer to buy their devices directly from the carrier should consider doing so before the 24th. A Sprint spokeswoman declined to comment. Hit the break to take a look at the purported letter to Sprint dealers.

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If you’ve been waiting for HP’s highly anticipated TouchPad tablet, the company just sweetened the deal a bit more for you. HP recently announced that anyone who purchases the 32GB TouchPad before July 31st will get a $50 mail-in rebate off of the purchase price. The catch? You’ll have to prove that you already own a Palm Pre, Pre Plus, Pixi, or Pixi Plus smartphone. The TouchPad offers a 9.7-inch display, NFC capabilities for unique interactions with HP webOS phones, and a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It’s available in two capacities, 16GB ($499.99) and 32GB ($599.99). AT&T will offer a 3G version of the device later this summer, but pricing and an exact launch date have not been detailed.

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BGR has learned that Sprint will be getting rid of mail-in rebates on its phones and other devices beginning March 27th, and we have confirmed with Sprint that mail-in rebates will be a thing of the past — at least for a limited time. A Sprint spokesperson confirmed to BGR that “Sprint will temporarily replace mail-in rebates in most channels, including our company-owned retail stores, with instant savings.” It all goes down on Sunday, March 27th, and it will continue for “an unspecified period of time,” the Sprint spokesperson told us. Sprint just seems to be rocking and rolling these days, huh?

Thanks, Mike!

We reported on Friday that Verizon Wireless would be doing away with mail-in rebates on its high-end devices. Instead the carrier will begin applying instant rebates to all smartphones priced at $150 and above. This means a customer will pay the final subsidized price when purchasing a high-end smartphone instead of paying an extra $50 and waiting to be reimbursed by mail. Today, the policy change is reaffirmed by a new Verizon Wireless rebate sheet provided to BGR by a tipster. As can be seen on the new sheet, which goes into effect on January 31st, nearly all smartphones priced $150 and higher have been removed. Examples include the BlackBerry Storm2 and Motorola’s DROID x and DROID Pro. A few pricey phones still remain, such as the DROID R2-D2, but we’re guessing a price drop to $149.99 or better will take effect tomorrow or Monday. Hit the break to view the full rebate sheet.

Thanks, hiphophead83

According to a new report from Android enthusiast blog Android Central, Verizon Wireless will eliminate rebates on all smartphones priced $150 and higher. Smartphones priced at $149.99 and lower will still have associated rebates, which are typically $50 and require proof of purchase to be mailed into a processing center. Rebates will now be applied instantly on Verizon’s high-end devices, so customers will no longer have to wait for reimbursement by mail. A screen shot of what is presumed to be an internal Verizon Wireless document states that the policy change will go into effect at the end of this month. The new move, which comes just ahead of Verizon Wireless’ iPhone 4 launch, is likely a result of the imminent release of Apple’s smartphone as the carrier will not require a rebate with iPhone purchases.

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It looks like Verizon Wireless will be sharpening up their entire phone lineup in time for the holidays. Engadget has just published an excerpt from Verizon’s latest cell phone rebate sheet, and the discount-document has quite a story to tell. The document details several Motorola devices; including the DROID Pro, Citrus, and two SKUs for the DROID 2 Global. The two-SKU listing for the DROID 2 could indicate one model with a camera and one model without, or that the handset will come in two different colors. Although not listed above, the blog also notes that the Palm Pre 2, LG Cosmos Touch, Samsung Zeal, and Samsung Continuum make the list. Just in time for the holidays.

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The crew over at modmyi.com got their hands on some AT&T collateral that explains just how Ma’ Bell plans on handling those who purchased an iPhone 3GS days and weeks before Monday’s announcement. AT&T plans on offering those who purchased a 3GS, from a local AT&T dealer, from May 7th to June 7th two options. Option #1: a $50 rebate for the 16 GB 3GS or a $100 rebate for the 32 GB 3GS; credited to your next bill. Option #2: an exchange of your 3GS towards the new iPhone 4. There are a couple caveats, for the $50 and $100 credits:

Customers who purchased iPhone 3GS May 7th through May 14th will have until June 14th to visit the original location of purchase and receive this one-time bill credit

Customers who purchased after May 14th will have 30 days to complete their price protection transaction by returning to the original location of purchase

For the 3GS to 4 exchange customers will be responsible for the price difference (if any). Let us know your thoughts.

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Following news that Amazon chopped pricing on the Palm Pre to an attractive $99.99, Walmart has swooped in to undercut the massive online retailer — albeit just for the long weekend. Truth be told however, we’re not sure what an extra $20 is going to do if the jump from $200 to $100 wasn’t enough incentive for those debating whether or not to take the leap. What’s more, the deal involves a $100 mail-in rebate whereas Amazon’s $100 price is out the door. Whatever the case, if you’re okay with a smartphone that will cost you $80-$100+ per month, that extra $20 entry fee should hardly be keeping you from snagging a Pre. Walmart’s deal is good through tomorrow so if the hassle of a rebate is worth saving $20 to you, better act fast.

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Yesterday we exclusively pinned the launch of Verizon’s HTC Touch Pro2 as September 11th with an extremely competitive price tag of $199.99. Following those juicy little tidbits, a tipster hit us with the new VZW rebate sheet hot off the presses. You know the disclaimer — a handset’s presence on a rebate sheet doesn’t necessarily mean it will launch during the sheet’s period of validity. At the same time, it certainly suggests a general time frame and supports our reported date. Beyond an appearance by the Touch Pro2 at the very end of the handset list, we also see the Nokia 7705 Twist, which is reportedly launching online on September 13th for $149.99, and then through additional channels the following week. The Samsung Rogue and Intensity are also present and accounted for, both set to launch on the 8th for $99.99 and $29.99 respectively. Hit the jump for a larger version of the rebate sheet.

Thanks, E!

What? You thought Sprint was done now that it announced the HTC Hero? Apparently things are just getting started, Sprint fans, as two new handsets have popped up on Sprint rebate sheets valid through October 31st, and you know what that means — well, sort of. Rebate sheets have a tendency to be tricky territory because the handsets found within don’t always launch when you might expect. They do however, give a good general time frame nonetheless. On to the details… The first handset, dubbed the Samsung Intrepid, is the Ace sequel many of you have been waiting for. Details are a bit limited for the time being but we know it’ll run Windows Mobile 6.5 so the soonest we could possibly see it is October 6th (though we think it may come a bit later). Rumored specs include a 528MHz processor, QWERTY keypad, 3 megapixel camera, CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A and GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity, Wi-Fi, aGPS, microSDHC support and a QVGA display. Most importantly perhaps, at least as far as current Samsung Ace owners are concerned, it’s said to sport 256 MB RAM and 512 MB ROM. As for the other unannounced handset — the Samsung Moment — we’ve got nothing for the time being but details will surely find their way to light now that we know this bad boy is out there. Hit the jump for a bigger version of the image above along with one more shot.

Thanks, schnurgun!

U.S. Cellular subscribers have plenty to be excited about this morning as we’re pointed to a brand new rebate sheet about to take affect. In short, your current hit or miss selection of handsets is about to get a whole lot more hit and a whole lot less miss. Highlights:

• HTC Touch Pro2
• Blackberry Tour
• HTC Snap
• Motorola W845
• Motorola Crush
• LG UX310 (replaces the UX300)
• LG UX700

We already scooped the UX700 back in June but the highlights here have to be the always-sexy HTC Touch Pro2 and the ever-popular BlackBerry Tour 9630. As for when all these new phones might drop, we all know that a rebate sheet is hardly a solid time line — especially considering the validity period of this particular rebate sheet is 07/17/2009 – 11/12/2009. Unfortunately the only safe bet is to say all these handsets will be on store shelves at some point before the holidays. Hit the jump to check out the sheet in its entirety.

Thanks, TW!

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Another month and another rebate sheet from Verizon Wireless. This latest version spans only the month of June but it does contain a few yet-to-be announced phones. We have the Casio Exilim and the Motorola Rival, both of which are slated for launch on June 10th. We also have the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 whose launch is right around the corner. Sorry folks, no tuh, tuh, Tour or Storm 2 yet. The next rebate sheet will land at the end of June so keep your fingers crossed. Hit the jump for the full rebate sheet.

Thanks, anonymous and Ezmo!

Good news for those of you who are in dire need of a new smartphone but would prefer to stick to models that have been given the “all clear” in consumer reviews instead of grabbing the hottest new toys. Just like we told you in our scoop back in early May, AT&T has just slashed the 2-year contract price of the BlackBerry Bold to $199.99. What’s more, the Curve 8900 has been cut to $149.99 — the price it was originally going to launch at according to our sources. Previously $299.99 and $199.99 respectively, the Bold shed off a third of its price tag while the newest-kid-on-the-block (to AT&T, anyway) is now ripe for the picking. So what’s it gonna be, people? The brawny Bold or the svelte Curve 8900?

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Verizon Wireless customers in the market for a new phone may want to wait a bit before bringing home the latest and greatest Verizon has to offer. We have it on good authority that Verizon will be discounting a handful of handsets and a few broadband access modems, possibly as soon as January 22nd. This would be an unusual out of cycle discount as the current rebate sheet continues until January 31st. Select hardware from Verizon Wireless, LG, Casio, Motorola, Samsung and RIM will supposedly see their mail-in rebates increased from $50 to $70. Sure the out of pocket expense is the same but a $20 discount is a $20 discount even if it comes in the form of a rebate check. With the current state of the economy, we’ll take any discount we can get. Hit the jump for a full list of discounted hardware according to our ninja.

• Casio G’zOne Boulder
• LG VX5500
• Verizon Wireless Cdm8950
• Verizon Wireless Blitz
• Motorola  W755
• Motorola Vu204
• Motorola Vu30 Rapture
• Motorola Krave zn4
• Motorola Adventure V750
• Motorola Z6c and Z6cx
• BlackBerry Storm
• BlackBerry 8830 world edition
• Samsung U810 Renown
• Verizon Wireless Pc5750 EV-DO Rev.A PC Card
• Verizon Wireless Um175 EV-DO Rev.A USB Modem