Cellular South kicked off a new promotion that offers AT&T customers up to $100 for their iPhone when they buy another smartphone from the regional carrier. In the ultimate affront to Apple fanboys, AT&T customers switching over to Cellular South must physically give up their iPhone and select another handset which may include the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy S or the HTC Desire. Up to $100 will be applied towards your new handset and you must sign up for a new, two-year customer agreement.
As part of the promotion, AT&T customers switching over to the regional carrier may also be eligible for a credit that reimburses you for your early termination fee. The credit goes up at $200 and will be applied towards your Cellular South bill. If you max out both credits, you could get up to $300 for switching allegiance from the Apple camp to the Android army.
If you have an older iPhone, this promotion may be beneficial but folks with a newer model iPhone may fare better if they eBay their handset. The average selling price of a new model iPhone could easily pay the ETF and buy a new Android handset from Cellular South.
Nonetheless, the regional carrier deserves a pat on the back for this promotion. It is headline-grabbing and stirs up the heated battle between Apple and Android. If I were a judge and this was a contest, I would give it a 2/5 for value and a 5/5 for its clever marketing. Does anyone agree?
[Via Cellular South and Phandroid]