Airbus A321:
The checklist says IF SMOKE EXISTS
...neither crew member recalled smelling smoke or fumes during the flight.
I know nothing about the line of Airbus types. But, every airplane type I flew (including two with RATs) had an electrical fire/smoke checklist that did not shut off power to all busses at the same time. Thus, if followed properly the RAT would not deploy.
And, as you say if no smoke exists at any time, seems like they should have had normal electrical for approach and landing unless there were some kind of major buss fault. (?)