Apple, Walmart to do $99 4GB iPhone?

Look, we know you've been holding out for the iPhone to hit Walmart before you pick it up, sandwiched between the fishing gear and row upon row of exercise videos -- and we don't blame you. You'll ride your shopping cart down the wide aisles like a chariot, and when you get home with the phone you'll dial up all your friends and let them know how much cheaper your iPhone was than theirs. What was that? Yeah, the new word on the street is that Walmart is getting a 4GB iPhone 3G for a mere $99, according to Boy Genius Report, and while BGR was previously reporting a November 15th launch date at Walmart, and can't vouch for the accuracy of this new report, Walmart training materials (pictured above) have been seen in the wild, so there's a grain of truth to this madness somewhere. Plus, a $99 iPhone just sounds so Walmart-ey, doesn't it?

[Via Mac Rumors]

[Chris @ Dec 4th 2008 9:25AM]

That puts it in the range for me to drop VZW after so many years.

[Hunter Hastings @ Dec 4th 2008 9:28AM]

Don't, AT&T's service sucks balls, there's still too many problems with coverage. I just canceled my iPhone to get a G1 and have never made a better decision. I can actually use my phone in my own house now without having to go outside. I think you'll join me in canceling within 12 months of dealing with hell. The phone itself is kinda nice, but the service just ruins it. Either way you go, good luck :)

[zephxiii @ Dec 4th 2008 3:46PM]

Hmm, that is strange, AT&T's service has been working great for me. Just got back from a week of traveling too...

[Nate @ Dec 4th 2008 9:50AM]

Here's an amazing revelation: coverage/service depends on where you are. Locally, ATT coverage is the best of all the carriers.

[slarity @ Dec 4th 2008 9:51AM]

@Hunter
It all depends where you live. T-Mobile is the worst service in my area no contest. I wont say AT&T is the best but it works well enough for me to enjoy my iPhone.

I'm not a huge apple fan but Ive played with a lot of the new phones (Dare, Instinct, G1, Touch, Touch Pro, Delve) and I can say so far none of the above compare to the iPhone yet. I really cant wait till iPhone looses its thrown but as it stands its still the best.

[rock99rock @ Dec 4th 2008 10:00AM]

I left T-Mobile 3 years ago because ATT had 3g in Houston, and T-Mobile wasnt even talking about 3g yet. I had sprint before T, and CS sucked. CS with T-Mobile was ok, but i never factored that into my decision when choosing a carrier. ATT has dropped the ball so many times with my account. I wouldnt mind going back to T since they have the 3g, but its "proprietary" 1700mhz 3g band has nary a selection of decent smartphones. Never had verizon, but ive seen enough evidence to never dip my foot in that pool.

In the end, all CS from every American carrier basically sucks.

If walmart gets this $99 iphone, they will bring it to the masses that thought they could not afford it before. The market will be saturated with iphones. This could invoke innovation from other manufacturers (and hopefully microsoft http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20081126\ACQDJON200811260859DOWJONESDJONLINE000594.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=UPDATE:%20Rumors%20Of%20A%20Microsoft%20Cell%20Phone%20Swirl%20Again ) and i fully welcome it. Think Differently!

BTW: If you have issues getting ahold of a "human" when calling customer service for almost ANY company, not just carriers, check the link.
http://www.gethuman.com/

Example: Belkin Tech Support @ 800‑223‑5546 At prompt press 2263; press 1 at each prompt thereafter.

[Sean @ Dec 4th 2008 10:03AM]

Hunter - That comment is stupid. Because you have bad service, that means everyone else does? Moron. I've had AT&T for the past 6 years, and I love it. I live in Chicago, and I have perfect 3G speeds all the time. Great reception, great speed, good customer service. My girlfriend has TMobile, and while the rates are good, their phones suck and I've had better service with AT&T. The iPhone doesn't have the best reception out of all phones - that could also be your problem. At Thanksgiving dinner at a relative's house, I had between 0-1 bars, while someone next to me had some flip AT&T phone, with 3-4 bars.

[Jason Martin @ Dec 4th 2008 10:11AM]

Honestly, needing to switch from VZN to AT&T was a major reason I delayed in getting the iPhone. I made the leap when the 3G was released and braced myself for the worst. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised. I have had almost no problems at all, and it's actually been better than my experience with VZN! To say that everyone (or even most people) will have bad experiences with AT&T is extreme naval-gazing. Get out of your hole and realize that you may not represent the norm.

[CraigJ @ Dec 4th 2008 10:13AM]

number of bars varies by manufacturer. there is no standard. the important thing is, can you make a call, and can you get data at a decent speed?

[Jack Storm @ Dec 4th 2008 12:49PM]

Hunter just thinks everybody lives in his bubble where his little tmobile 3g map is supreme.

[Ryan @ Sep 26th 2009 2:54AM]

If you read Sean's comment aloud dramatically it's so very awesome.

[OneLove @ Dec 4th 2008 2:45PM]

I don't want to be trampled to death. :)

[Google @ Dec 4th 2008 4:08PM]

The G1 isn't ready for primetime. I love Google, and the G1 (check the name), but I miss my iPod Touch.... my next phone will be an iPhone.

[cody @ Dec 4th 2008 6:41PM]

Don't not for the damn iPhone, AT&T is the worst. I had it and used it all over California and nothing compares esp. at home when it comes to Verizon it works great and in alot more places than ATT and plus its a hell of a lot more reliable I don't get call failed every call anymore.

[james @ Dec 4th 2008 10:31PM]

i have no problem with at&t service - you should firest get the iphone and see how your service is - much morelikely to be fine - the iphone is the best phone out their hands down - it is predicted to overtake the cell phone market in a few years like ipod took over mp3 market

[helenam @ Dec 17th 2008 3:36PM]

I would love to get a iphone or touch. my kids really want to play dizzy bee. this will put it in my reach. and att has worked well for my family for over 5 years.

Merry Christmas

H

[MKIV 20 Jetta @ Dec 28th 2008 11:36PM]

@Sean

Hasn't ATT been down in Chicago like all day?

[Kris120890 @ Dec 4th 2008 9:27AM]

Although cheap the only way I'd buy this is if it had expandable memory.

[Kris120890 @ Dec 4th 2008 9:34AM]

Actually this would be okay on PAYG. The 8GB is a little too expensive off contract.

[KarlW @ Dec 4th 2008 10:02AM]

IPhones go up to 16Gb. I've found that to be plenty. Never been left wanting for space, or that SD card I forgotto bring with me.

[Hunter @ Dec 4th 2008 9:27AM]

Are you kidding? WalMart is just taking over the goddamn world. The sad thing is that people are actually going to go for the 4GB one, half of them just because their brainwashed to buy anything WalMart tells them to.

[Ryback @ Dec 4th 2008 9:40AM]

@Hunter
Replace Walmart with Apple.

[kjb434 @ Dec 4th 2008 10:15AM]

I don't know why Wal-Mart is derided so much.

Wal-Mart makes so much available to the masses that otherwise wouldn't have access to or couldn't afford it.

Wal-Mart's electronics offerings are challenging Best Buy, Circuit City, and other major electronics retailers. It's called competition and it's great for the consumer.

In the end, if you don't like Wal-Mart, just don't go to it.

[Respect @ Dec 4th 2008 10:28AM]

I have to agree with kjb. Why would anyone get mad at a company for selling things at discount prices? I mean I loathe every moment I have to go to Wal-mart, however, I still go because I'm on a strict budget. As a gadget geek on a budget I welcome any retailer that's willing to cut me a deal. Even if it's only an imaginary one!

Either way, unless you own stock in a big box retailer, you have no reason to hate Wal-Mart. Unless you don't like long lines and 100's of fat sweaty people fingering your veggies, in which case you're completely justified!

[Skeezle @ Dec 4th 2008 11:14AM]

Do a little research on Wal Mart, their underhanded business practices, and look at just how many jobs have been outsourced due to them, how many independently owned businesses were killed, and what they ultimately end up doing to a community. There are many documentaries out there, but the best I've seen was on FrontLine,
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/
check it out sometime & you will be shocked. People don't hate them because they offer bargains, they hate them for what they are doing / have done to the U.S.
Those 'bargains' come at a price.
Wal Mart sucks...

[Brent @ Dec 4th 2008 4:17PM]

I don't work for corporate Walmart, and I agree Walmart has used some practices that have shut down local shops. But don't you think all those local shops would have done the same thing if they were in Walmart's shoes? Competition is competition. People put Walmart down because their companies can't compete with them. Cry me a river. Walmart also started off small, and they built themselves up to the point that they are at today. Its a success story, and it makes me sick that people put them down for being successful. It's called jealousy.

Also, on the living wage and job issue, you are a socialist if you complain about that. Walmart pays them above the minimum wage by law, that is all they have to do. Local shops probably pay just minimum wage, but you don't hear people complaining about them. Walmart is not evil, they are a corporation. They care more about money than their employees. People call that harsh, but guess what, they wouldn't be around if it way any other way and then millions of people would lose their jobs.

[kevincahoon @ Dec 4th 2008 5:30PM]

Very good points Brett. If WalMart had a union it would effect the pockets of everyone that shops at WalMart.

[trenton @ Dec 5th 2008 4:51PM]

Do a little research on Wal Mart, their [dynamic and novel business practices], and look at just how many jobs have been [created] due to them, how many [poorly run] businesses were killed, and what they ultimately end up doing to a community [in other parts of the world].

People don't [like] them because they offer bargains, they [like] them for what they are doing / have done to [developing countries].

Those 'bargains' come at a price.

Wal Mart [rules]...

[Iam9376 @ Dec 5th 2008 11:58PM]

You [fail] at emphasis.

[dexaler @ Dec 4th 2008 9:28AM]

Without contract I hope? (Wishful thinking)

[Patriks7 @ Dec 4th 2008 9:57AM]

You kidding? An unlocked 8 GB officially costs around 700$-800$, so really wishful thinking..

[Sukhminder @ Dec 4th 2008 10:02AM]

Nope: "there will be a 4GB model priced at $99 with a 2-year agreement" (from BGR)

I was wondering the same thing, sounded too good to be true.

[dexaler @ Dec 4th 2008 10:11AM]

Hey, it was 'madness' and it wasn't clear for me. Although further examination of the picture shows the at&t logo...

[GenBanks @ Dec 4th 2008 9:30AM]

If this happens, together with a pay as you go payment model, the iphone would come perilously close to becoming as common as ipods...

[Vineet Madan @ Dec 4th 2008 9:46AM]

or the dreaded RAZR. Good thing that model worked out well for Motorola. What's that? It didn't work out? Oops.

[Joe @ Dec 4th 2008 10:00AM]

Really, it didnt work out?

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/22/xin_3405042208088512768263.jpg

[TexRob @ Dec 4th 2008 10:05AM]

Vineet, are you joking? I am pretty sure the RAZR is the top selling cell phone of all time? If not the top, it's up there.

[GenBanks @ Dec 4th 2008 10:09AM]

Not sure what you're on about either, Vineet... Razr only just got overtaken (by the iphone) as the best selling handset in the US.

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/11/10/iphone-3g-overtakes-the-razr-as-best-selling-domestic-handset/

And that's WITHOUT a $99 iphone on the market...

[Kspraydad @ Dec 4th 2008 9:31AM]

How about a $99 4GB Touch instead?

[dj moon @ Dec 4th 2008 9:53AM]

Exactly!
It's what my son wants for Xmas ("and nothing else!" he said:)!

Although, there is the danger of a repeat of the Black Friday Rampage(s) over this. :@\

[Jason Martin @ Dec 4th 2008 10:15AM]

And how exactly would the $99 Touch be subsidized? The only way they can do it with the iPhone is because AT&T is subsidizing the cost on the promise of a 2-year contract for each phone. The Touch has nothing like that to make it that inexpensive, so there's no way it can happen.

[Kspraydad @ Dec 4th 2008 11:04AM]

@Jason....

You can get 4GB MP3 players for $50....so I'm offering $100 for the touch tech. Seems a reasonable offer on my part.

[sleeplessone @ Dec 4th 2008 4:40PM]

@Kspraydad

And how much for the WiFi? And the Email and Web browser.

How much for the large screen that isn't on $50 MP3 players.

I could go on, but I'm sure most will get the point

[ethan @ Dec 4th 2008 6:53PM]

First: 4 gig ipod touch doesn't need subsidized, but I bet it'd cost about $70-$80 to make.

Where would Apple get money back? Oh, I duno. Something tells me the almost 10,000 apps and iTunes store would HELP the price drop. Trust me, Apple is pretty well off right now. They could possibly even give Touches away and make money back on them. They wouldn't, but the way I've bought apps and games, I think Apple's made plenty of money back on my subsidized 8 gig iPhone.

[Andre @ Dec 5th 2008 3:23AM]

Sadly, not gonna happen anytime soon. 4G 4GB iPod Nanos (the ones that don't technically exist) sell for $139.

[AMiSH PiRATE @ Dec 4th 2008 9:33AM]

I'm pretty sure I saw smiley mcgee slash the price to $98.87.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Dec 4th 2008 2:04PM]

Hah, yeah, I came here to say $99 doesn't sound like a walmart price, $98.26 sounds like a walmart price. Still won't shop there though.

[Benji @ Dec 4th 2008 9:39AM]

I work for Sam's Club and our reps should be coming in the next week or so for training. We're getting the iPhone December 28th, not sure about a $99 model though.

[Squid7085 @ Dec 4th 2008 12:36PM]

Wha? Dec 28th? After the Holidays? I thought the whole point would be to get it out before Christmas rolls around. Or would that just be Sams? As I can see how they might get it after Wal*Mart.

[ShyGuy91284 @ Dec 4th 2008 4:27PM]

I was about to say "Do you want to get fired?" for sharing information like that that seems like it would be hush hush, but then again, working there, it's possible you do.