Wednesday, February 09, 2011, 10:10 am

Walmart will also sell Apple's Verizon iPhone 4 at 600 stores

By Katie Marsal

In addition to Apple, Verizon and Best Buy retail locations, the new Verizon iPhone 4 will also be on sale Thursday at 600 select Walmart stores across the U.S.

The Verizon iPhone 4 will go on sale at "nearly 600" select Walmart stores on Thursday, which is the same launch date for Apple's retail stores, and more than 2,000 Verizon stores across the U.S. In addition, Best Buy will also sell the device at launch.

"We're excited to bring iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network, one the most anticipated mobile phone launches in recent history, to Walmart customers," said Gary Severson, senior vice president of home entertainment for Walmart. "As customers continue to embrace smart phone technology, we've added nearly 20 smart phone models to our assortment, including the new Verizon Wireless iPhone 4."

The Verizon iPhone will be sold at Walmart's in-store wireless areas, and will carry the same $199 starting price for the 16GB model. In addition, the retailer will also offer a variety of accessories for the handset, including cases and car chargers from a variety of manufacturers.

Walmart did not indicate at what time it would begin selling the Verizon iPhone on Thursday, as its stores are typically open 24 hours. Apple's retail stores will open at 7 a.m. local time to begin sales to the general public.

That Walmart would get the Verizon iPhone 4 at launch should be no surprise, as Apple has long partnered with the retailer and recently expanded to sell the iPad at its stores last October.

Walmart also carries the AT&T iPhone 4 in select stores nationwide, and has done so sine the device first launched last June. The largest retail chain the U.S. first began selling the iPhone 3G in some stores in 2008.