Walmart to sell Apple's 16GB iPhone 3GS for $97
Walmart has revealed that it will begin selling the 16GB iPhone 3GS for $97 this week, more than $100 off of Apple's $199 suggested retail price.
Starting Tuesday, the lower capacity iPhone 3GS will cost roughly the same amount as Apple's 8GB iPhone 3G. Earlier Monday, a new rumor suggested Apple could be discontinuing the iPhone 3G, which was originally released in 2008.
According to CNNMoney, the new deal from Walmart still requires a two-year contract with carrier AT&T. The U.S. price reduction comes in advance of Memorial Day weekend.
"It is our commitment to always lead on price," said Mehrdad Akbar, senior category director for Walmart.
The move comes less than two weeks before Apple is expected to introduce its next-generation handset, when Chief Executive Steve Jobs delivers the opening keynote for the annual Worldwide Developers Conference on June 7.
The price reduction could be permanent. One analyst said Monday they believe Apple will formally reduce the price of the iPhone 3GS to $99 once the new model is released. Last year, after the iPhone 3GS was released, Apple reduced the price of the 8GB iPhone 3G to $99.
The partnership between Apple and Walmart started in 2005 when the retailer began a pilot program selling Apple's short-lived HP-branded 20GB iPod. Over time, the nation's largest retail chain began carrying Apple's full line of iPods, and in 2008 some of its stores began selling the iPhone 3G. Recently, company officials said they hope to sell the iPad by the end of 2010.
Starting Tuesday, the lower capacity iPhone 3GS will cost roughly the same amount as Apple's 8GB iPhone 3G. Earlier Monday, a new rumor suggested Apple could be discontinuing the iPhone 3G, which was originally released in 2008.
According to CNNMoney, the new deal from Walmart still requires a two-year contract with carrier AT&T. The U.S. price reduction comes in advance of Memorial Day weekend.
"It is our commitment to always lead on price," said Mehrdad Akbar, senior category director for Walmart.
The move comes less than two weeks before Apple is expected to introduce its next-generation handset, when Chief Executive Steve Jobs delivers the opening keynote for the annual Worldwide Developers Conference on June 7.
The price reduction could be permanent. One analyst said Monday they believe Apple will formally reduce the price of the iPhone 3GS to $99 once the new model is released. Last year, after the iPhone 3GS was released, Apple reduced the price of the 8GB iPhone 3G to $99.
The partnership between Apple and Walmart started in 2005 when the retailer began a pilot program selling Apple's short-lived HP-branded 20GB iPod. Over time, the nation's largest retail chain began carrying Apple's full line of iPods, and in 2008 some of its stores began selling the iPhone 3G. Recently, company officials said they hope to sell the iPad by the end of 2010.
Comments
so this was to be expected...good for Walmart to get in on the fun...hey what's next 7-Eleven's?
oh well...more the merrier...
It is almost irrelevant how much you pay upfront $200, $100, $0 or -$100 if you take into account 2-year ownership cost.
Not sure how it is news.
It is almost irrelevant how much you pay upfront $200, $100, $0 or -$100 if you take into account 2-year ownership cost.
AI must be getting paid to promote the product.
Any sensible post would be more along the lines of "$97 + $1,920 minimum contract."
almost an antique. Apple most have inventory it wants to clear out.
I would call this event normal.
Well this pretty much confirms that the 3G is now defunct
And, it pretty much confirms that Mr. K's speculation in the previous thread was correct!
AI must be getting paid to promote the product.
Any sensible post would be more along the lines of "$97 + $1,920 minimum contract."
What about smartphone contracts do you have issues with exactly? You can pay for your BB, or your Android pretty much under the same terms give or take a couple of hundred. Geez - whiners, you can't please them, and they simply won't go away and mumble incoherently off in a corner someplace where the music drowns them out.
AI must be getting paid to promote the product.
Any sensible post would be more along the lines of "$97 + $1,920 minimum contract."
Not sure how it is news.
It is almost irrelevant how much you pay upfront $200, $100, $0 or -$100 if you take into account 2-year ownership cost.
Seriously stop. Or I'll call in Cesar Cupertino - the Geek Whisperer:
"but 2 year..*TSSSSST!* ...contract *TSSSSST!* (grumbles under breath)*TSSSST!* (sits quietly at desk waiting for treat)"
Yeah. Geek Whisperer.
What about smartphone contracts do you have issues with exactly?
Maybe the fact that I haven't had a contract with T-Mobile for over 4 years and the plan with unlimited SMS and data is much cheaper than ATT?
AI must be getting paid to promote the product.
Any sensible post would be more along the lines of "$97 + $1,920 minimum contract."
Yeah, but the contract is the contract is the contract. It's the same in all cases because the cell carriers basically collude on prices therefore it's irrelevant to the calculation.
I find that once you've been duped or forced into getting any contract, that the only sensible (and frugal) thing to do is to pay the full cost of any upgrade phones up-front. That way, once the original contract is over you are free. Since all the contracts are essentially the same, there isn't really a reason to move to a different carrier and you are then just paying month-to-month and paying for all your hardware as you need it.
The "deal" you get on the purchase price of the hardware isn't actually a deal at all.
Not sure how it is news.
It is almost irrelevant how much you pay upfront $200, $100, $0 or -$100 if you take into account 2-year ownership cost.
I guess it's news because...
"Walmart has revealed that it will begin selling the 16GB iPhone 3GS for $97 this week, more than $100 off of Apple's $199 suggested retail price."
Yeah, but the contract is the contract is the contract. It's the same in all cases because the cell carriers basically collude on prices therefore it's irrelevant to the calculation.
I find that once you've been duped or forced into getting any contract, that the only sensible (and frugal) thing to do is to pay the full cost of any upgrade phones up-front. That way, once the original contract is over you are free. Since all the contracts are essentially the same, there isn't really a reason to move to a different carrier and you are then just paying month-to-month and paying for all your hardware as you need it.
The "deal" you get on the purchase price of the hardware isn't actually a deal at all.
The problem is, AT&T won?t reduce your monthly cost just because you provide your own phone. You keep paying forever! (So I?m going to get a new subsidized iPhone and get some value back!) Of course, you can avoid a contract by not getting a phone, but your cost is the same with or without the contract: as you say, there?s little reason to change carriers, so a contract isn?t that harmful.
Anyway... this report raises my hopes for a $299 64 GB iPhone! I need SPACE!
So much for getting a few bucks from my 3GS when the 4th gen iPhone ships next week...
Well two things, one being it will not ship next week considering the keynote is two weeks from now. Second, you should still be able to get at least 250 bucks for your 3GS, depending on the condition.