Want a Droid? Get cash for your old iPhone

If you’re hankering for the Droid, the hot, new smartphone from Verizon, listen up: Flipswap, a mobile device recycling site, is offering Apple iPhone users up to $450 for their devices. Even the original iPhone, now two years old, will get you $100.

That’s enough to help offset, or even cover, the cost of breaking your contract with AT&T, exclusive U.S. distributor of the iPhone, and buying a Droid. The device costs $99-$199 with a two-year contract.

“Instead of sticking your iPhone in a drawer or throwing it in the trash, you can turn it in and get cash,” says a spokewoman Kathleen Stuart.

Stuart says Flipswap is not working with Verizon, which is going after iPhone users with gusto. Verizon confirms that, but says it welcomes the recycling help. “We’re glad they’re helping to keep iPhones out of landfills,” says Verizon spokesman Jim Gerace.

For Verizon and AT&T, the fight for smart phone customers is heating up. Verizon recently unveiled an ad campaign that features side-by-side 3G coverage maps. The maps show, clearly, that AT&T’s 3G coverage – a source of constant complaints by iPhone users – is paltry in comparison to Verizon. Verizon, in the ad, asserts that it has five times more 3G coverage. AT&T doesn’t disagree, but it is suing Verizon anyways, claiming the ad is misleading to consumers.

As for Flipswap, it is offering iPhone owners a $25 bonus on top of the trade in fee to people who turn in their devices by Nov. 30. (Offer code: “getdroid.”) Flipswap pays for postage; shipping labels can be downloaded directly off the site.

Flipswap also buys other devices, including damaged ones. If your phone is so old it’s worthless, Flipswap will dispose of it for you for free. For more information, go to www.flipswap.com/DROID