Want an iPhone dirt cheap? Just stop at your local AT&T store. Beginning Friday, the carrier will sell Apple’s iPhone 3GS at half its current price, or $49, for new and existing customers who sign up for a two-year contract and data plan.
Slower, Less Dazzling
On the plus side, the iPhone 3GS runs the latest Apple mobile-device software, iOS 4, and has access to Apple’s App Store and 23,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots. But the 3GS, released in June 2009, has 256 megabytes of memory compared with 512MB in last year’s iPhone 4. It also has a lower screen resolution, 480 by 320, compared to 960 by 640 with Retina display on the iPhone 4.
Among other differences, the 3GS also has one three-megapixel camera, compared to a three-megapixel front camera and five-megapixel rear-facing camera on the fourth-generation model. That means no FaceTime video chat on the iPhone 3GS.
The iPhone 4 sells for $199 for the 16GB model or $299 for the 32GB. When it was released last year, Apple started selling the 3GS with 8GB of storage only, for $99.
The $49 price is available at AT&T stores, online and through authorized partners, but as of Thursday afternoon Apple was still listing the device on its web site at $99. Apple didn’t respond in time for publication to our inquiry about whether it would drop its price for the 3GS.
AT&T said it wants to make Apple’s innovative and fast-selling smartphone more accessible.
“We want to deliver the best, most complete package for our customers — from price to speed to worldwide access and more,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer for AT&T Mobility. “Combined with our new, lower monthly data plans beginning at just $15 a month, this new price brings even more value to one of the most popular devices…