Amazon says it is getting rid of the lock screen ads and offers that support its Prime smartphone program, but the discounted prices will remain mostly intact.
Amazon said prices for each phone will go up $20 over what they cost today through the Prime Exclusive Phones program. The lock screen ads will disappear via an update to the phones scheduled to roll out this week.
Amazon said mobile technology is evolving, and it doesn’t want to take away customers’ ability to personalize their lock screens and use identification technology such as facial and fingerprint recognition.
Amazon first announced plans to offer unlocked phones at discount prices in 2016. It has since added numerous phones to the program, including some high-end devices. The phones use a single sign-on based on the Prime member’s existing Amazon account, with quick access to Amazon apps pre-installed on the phone and a selection of personalized daily deals via a new Android widget.
The Prime Exclusive Phones program includes devices from LG, Motorola, Nokia and Alcatel. The biggest discount comes with the LG G6+, which will cost $519.99 through the Prime program when the new prices kick in, $280 off the retail price.
