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Best Buy Offering $50 Off of All iPhone 5 Models [Update: Now With $100 Gift Card for Rewards Zone Members]

Sunday December 9, 2012 4:39 pm PST by Husain Sumra
Just two days after offering a $25 gift card when purchasing an iPhone 5 on a two-year contract, Best Buy has improved their deal on Apple's latest smartphone. They're now offering $50 off all iPhone 5 models from Verizon, Sprint and AT&T.


16 GB iPhone 5s are now $149.99 with a two-year contract while 32 GB models are $249.99 on their online store. There were a round of discounts on iPhone 5 from various retailers, including Best Buy, just a couple days ago but this looks to be the largest discount the product has seen so far.

It doesn't appear to be possible to take advantage of the $50 discount while also receiving a $25 gift card and there's no indication how long this deal will last.

Update: Dealnews notes that Best Buy is now offering the $50 discount with 5,000 Reward Zone points (equivalent to a $100 Best Buy gift card) on the 16, 32, and 64GB iPhone 5 models. Free shipping, online orders only.
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drummingcraig
Posted: 24 weeks ago

Great deal. Going through RewardsZone now. Is AT&T's $36 "Activation Fee," the normal/correct amount? Tx


Yes that is the standard fee regardless of where you buy.[COLOR="#808080"]

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My local Apple store just told me that the Best Buy phones are "refurbs".

Are they?


You were misinformed. These are brand new phones.

Anyone know if I can use this deal on an upgrade for an existing line? I've been waiting to upgrade, and I'd take the deal with a new 2 year agreement if I could do it.

Yes. They walk you thru the process just like Apple's website does.
Rating: 2 Positives
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smkmn13
Posted: 24 weeks ago
Buy it here -- https://rewardzonemobile.com// -- and get another $100 in Reward Zone certificates (free to join Reward Zone, I think...?):D You do have to buy in through that specific site tho.
Rating: 2 Positives
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iMikeT
Posted: 24 weeks ago
I used to work at a Best Buy and vowed to never shop there unless I actually have to. $50 off is tempting but I'd rather get everything I buy with an  on it directly from Apple.

Also, as an Apple fan, I like how Apple has an Apple station within Best Buy stores for exposure. However, it is saddening that these stations aren't manned by anyone who knows Apple products. Instead, they're manned by the same incompetent Best Buy employees who know little to nothing about the products and told simply to sell more accessories. Perhaps one or two Apple geniuses at these stations?
Rating: 2 Positives
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Duckit
Posted: 24 weeks ago
This is making the iPhone 5 even more enticing....
Rating: 2 Positives
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drummingcraig
Posted: 23 weeks ago

In order to buy the phone at subsudized pricing, you must at least temporarily activate the iphone on the account using an upgrade. Her current phone will be deactivated when you do that if you use an upgrade from her line. Bby can put her old device back on but she will need a new sim if she currently has a 4G phone or will need to call *228 if 3G on verizons network. Which provider are you? Do you have any other eligible lines for upgrade other than hers?


I've purchased iPhones for my wife on 2 separate Christmases, and have never been able to find a way around this. The best I could do was wait 'till Christmas Eve, but even then, her old phone stopped working and she figured it out.


Update on this...

I called my local BB this morning and inquired about the activation, and if there would be anyway to get the subsidized phone and activate it later. Spoke with a knowledgable rep who informed me that if you buy online for in-store pick up there is no way to do it. However if you walk in and purchase it in-store they can setup the phone for a future activation when they're inputing the upgrade into the computer system.

I went there this evening and walked out with a 32GB black AT&T phone still wrapped and they never messed with my wife's current phone or SIM. We'll be able to activate it when she opens it on Christmas morning and she should be none to the wiser. :)
Rating: 1 Positives
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unplugme71
Posted: 24 weeks ago

Just checked in at reward zone, and the price is back up to $199.

I went through the check out process, and was kinda shocked when the taxes came in at $67. I know taxes are high here in Cali, but anyone have any idea what the high tax is for?


Cali residents pay the sales tax on the original price of the phone, not the subsidized or discounted price. 'Perk' of living in Cali ... jk
Rating: 1 Positives
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Joelcarter86
Posted: 24 weeks ago

Horse Crap!!!!!

BB says I cannot upgrade now, but AT&T says I can right now :mad:


Eligible for early upgrade? They can do it no problem is att says you are eligible. You probably have a past due balance. I work in bby mobile. Do an upgrade check on bestbuy.com. if it says you're good there then I bet its a billing issue.

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My local Apple store just told me that the Best Buy phones are "refurbs".

Are they?


Not sure what apple store employees are thinking or being told, but this is not the first ive heard of this claim. No, best biy mobile sells brand new phones unless you so choose to buy an opened item iphone for an even more discounted price. Only refurbs you will ever typically get is thru Geek Squad Protection, in which case they are refurbs bought by best buy from apple to replace your broken phone. Hope this clears things up.
Rating: 1 Positives
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Errk!
Posted: 24 weeks ago
Best Buy gets a lot of crap from people, but I went in there this evening after seeing the email from Best Buy about $50 off having bought an iPhone 5 last week, and they refunded me the $50, no questions asked.
Rating: 1 Positives
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Afbar1114
Posted: 24 weeks ago
I got my IP5 over a month ago at BBY and because i had the silver reward zone i called into night and they priced matched for me...FYI if you bought your phone in the past month i think its covered under their holiday return policy
Rating: 1 Positives
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Lancetx
Posted: 24 weeks ago
Of note, they also have the iPhone 4S currently for $50 off ($49.99) as well.
Rating: 1 Positives

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