It looks like AT&T is the only place to get a $99 Apple iPhone 3G. For now, anyway. In the post-holiday crunch, AT&T has launched the sale of refurbished iPhones to unload some inventory and offer cost-conscious shoppers a discount. In AT&T Wireless' online store, a refurbished 8 GB iPhone runs $99 with a two-year contract, while a refurbished 16 GB iPhone is $199. Both are $100 more when purchased new, but carry the same contract terms.
AT&T's move to sell off refurbished iPhone comes roughly a week after it was rumored that national discount superstore Wal-Mart would offer its own exclusive 4 GB model of the Apple ciPhone 3G for $99. Those rumors were officially debunked this week, when Wal-Mart on Sunday started offering the standard 8 GB and 16 GB models of the now-iconic smart phone for fairly close to their original retail prices -- a $2 discount. The addition of the iPhone makes Wal-Mart only the second retailer outside of Apple and AT&T stores to be authorized to sell the iPhone. In September, Best Buy started selling the device in its Best Buy Mobile stores.
According to AT&T, the refurbished devices will be for sale until Dec. 31 or until supplies run out. The previously owned devices have been unused or lightly used and were returned during the initial 30-day trial period, AT&T said, though some may have minor scratches. Each device has been quality tested and updated with the latest software.
The refurbished devices offer a 90 day warranty.
