Walmart officially cuts iPhone 3GS to $97, potentially clearing out inventory for the iPhone 4?

Well, this is intriguing: Walmart just officially announced that it'll be selling the 16GB iPhone 3GS for $97 starting Tuesday, a full $100 off the regular price. Given the high probability that Steve Jobs will introduce the thoroughly-leaked next-gen iPhone when he gives the WWDC 2010 keynote on June 7th, the price cut seems like either an attempt to clear out remaining inventory or a way to slide the 3GS down the line to replace the $99 8GB iPhone 3G -- a move which would corroborate some whispers we've heard today that the 3G is no longer being shipped to stores. Either way, the 3GS just got a lot cheaper, which is never a bad thing, but we'd still say potential iPhone owners should wait a couple weeks and see what's coming next.

[Thanks, Ryan]

[iPaul Posted May 24th 2010 10:36PM]

looking cool with your iPhone now? $97 from Walmart.

Iphone is now uncool.

[LiQuiDFuSioN Posted May 24th 2010 10:36PM]

@ssgadget Only 98 comments so far.

FAIL!

[annoynimous Posted May 24th 2010 10:37PM]

@ssgadget

I checked Apple Store yesterday still the same price in Australia. These stores should be featured in apocalypse movies where one of the last things you see on earth are sealed 3G S boxes piled up nicely

[cdf74dc9 Posted May 24th 2010 10:39PM]

$97? I know places where it's free with 2yr contract. But I'm not telling :)

[Elton007 Posted May 24th 2010 10:45PM]

Hello grandmother. Iphone 3gs is coming for you :D

[howay13 Posted May 24th 2010 10:54PM]

@Elton007 hahaha good one! As much as I prefer Android over Apple, in still eager for the iPhone 4G to come out... just not as much as the Evo! Love my Incredible on Verizon's network!

[Tony Montana Posted May 24th 2010 11:51PM]

@howay13 iPhone 4G? on a network that has no 4G?? that's like getting a new car, but no where to get the gas.............lol

[sroach23 Posted May 24th 2010 11:36PM]

its been a while since walmart had a good deal on anything.

[etwashoo2 Posted May 25th 2010 12:02AM]

@annoynimous

Hey Engadget! iPhones cost > $2000 with a 24 month ball around your neck or a $300+ termination fee. That $97 number you're throwing out is a disservice to your readers.

[(Unverified) Posted May 25th 2010 12:22AM]

Just want the 4G!

[Narutogrey Posted May 25th 2010 12:26AM]

@etwashoo2 a motorola backflip also cost over 2k over 2 years. So is the "free" droid that Engadget's been advertising. The 2k is for service and not for the phone. The iPhone at walmart really is $97 for the device. The service is something you'll have to pay no matter what smartphone you use.

[ashleythehottiest Posted May 25th 2010 12:40AM]

@World4GClear lol agreed

[m4192 Posted May 25th 2010 3:24AM]

And in Australia, the same 16GB 3GS is $879.

[polarforscher Posted May 25th 2010 3:58AM]

Why does an iPhone 3GS 16GB cost 900 USD in Germany?
And if I buy it for this 900 USD its illigeal imported from Poland.

hmmm.. I will fly to USA and get millions of iPhones and sell it in Germany..

[cooldudie3 Posted May 25th 2010 4:32AM]

@ssgadget and your contributing to it.

[caseyman Posted May 25th 2010 2:34PM]

My local Walmart has completely taken the iPhone 3GS off the shelves. There used to be two stands available for customers to test the iPhones and now the stands have become three, are empty, and have a plastic dome covering them. I'm thinking Walmart wants to protect the new iPhones when they come.

[threetee14 Posted May 25th 2010 3:34PM]

anyone know if the next iPhone will be able to watch YouTube on HQ without wifi?

[fast Posted May 26th 2010 3:25AM]

Cheap crap is cheap. End of story.

[crazy4pie Posted May 29th 2010 10:26PM]

is there any way to get this and use the iphone without a contract/activating?

[zholy Posted May 31st 2010 11:16PM]

@ssgadget
waiting iPhone 4.
Does apple HAVE to release a new iphone every year? why can't they just wait until they are sure they can release the good iphone 4G? I just hope apple doesn't release the bad iphone 4G to blow up everyone's hopes.

With iPhone OS 4.0, iPhone owners will enjoy over 100 new features that make it easier to interact with apps, manage email, read books, and more. New features include the following:
http://www.aneesoft.com/tutorials/iphone/iphone-os-4-new-features.html