[null and void]

But here's the weird thing: they de-batteried the phones.

I've been thinking about that. Maybe, just maybe they don't want a block of 1000 or so live phones moving from cell to cell to cell at the same time? It might make them stand out more?

Probably not that, it's a bit subtle for them.

[HiTech RedNeck]

When shipped the phones are completely shut off, so they would have no way of tattling on themselves until turned back on.