Verizon changing smartphone rebate plan -- by getting rid of them

Some interesting news out of Verizon this morning -- there's going to be a significant shift in how rebates are handled. As you can see above, smartphones that have a net price of $150 or higher will have no rebates. Smartphones with a net price of $149.99 and under will have $50 rebates.

Now before anybody freaks out, we're told all that means is that it'll be treated more like an instant rebate. The up-front cost of the phone will still be cheaper, but the overall price of the phone won't really change.

And, yes, we're more than happy to blame the upcoming Verizon iPhone for this, good or bad. Thanks, anon!