Apple iPhone 5 to launch on regional U.S. carriers on Friday, some offering discounts

One week after the iPhone 5 released on Sept. 21, regional wireless operators in the U.S. will begin selling Apple's latest smartphone, with some carriers offering special incentives like $50 price cuts to lure customers.

Regional carriers regional Cellcom, nTelos, Appalachian Wireless, C Spire, GCI and Cricket Communications will be starting sales of the iPhone 5 after the nation's largest providers launched the device last week, reports PC Mag.

A number of the smaller cellular companies, including Cellcom, nTelos, and Appalachian, will be cutting $50 off the normal retail price, bringing on-contract buys to $149 for the 16GB version, $249 for the 32GB unit and $349 for the largest 64GB model. Cricket will be offering the iPhone 5 without a contract for $499.99 and up. C Spire and GCI have yet to release their prices.

"We've seen the anticipation for iPhone 5 grow and are excited to soon offer our customers this fantastic phone on our network," said Cellcom CEO Pat Riordan.

With the introduction of the new handset, last year's iPhone 4S and the legacy iPhone 4 will each get sizable discounts, and some regional carriers are extending the $50 price cut to these handsets as well. The small operators will also be offering the iPhone 4 for free, using the same business model as the nation's top three carriers.

9 Comments

tylerk36 1035 comments · 15 Years

About 12 years ago

Remember the days of Xingular (AT&T) exclusivity? It is good to know that Apple no longer puts monopoly requirement on their customers to sign with AT&T just to have an iPhone.

tallest skil 43086 comments · 14 Years

Originally Posted by tylerk36
It is good to know that Apple no longer puts monopoly requirement on their customers to sign with AT&T just to have an iPhone.

Just a locked device requirement…

sessamoid 182 comments · 23 Years

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

The Verizon iPhone5 is GSM unlocked when shipped. I can stick an AT&T SIM in it and use it just fine (though it doesn't have the AT&T LTE frequencies).

Originally Posted by sessamoid
The Verizon iPhone5 is GSM unlocked when shipped. I can stick an AT&T SIM in it and use it just fine (though it doesn't have the AT&T LTE frequencies).

Yeah, but you're still paying for that Verizon contract… And good luck doing the same with an AT&T iPhone, or going to Sprint or Verizon from any carrier from whom you buy one.

tbell 3145 comments · 17 Years

There is no such requirement. Apple offers unlocked iPhones. Sure, you have to pay full price, but that is the trade off if you don't want to be subsidized. Further, Verizon's current iPhone 5 is sold unlocked for GSM networks. You still have to pay the contract price, but there is nothing preventing you from using it on T-Mobile or AT&T now or in the future. Moreover, AT&T will now unlock iPhones per request if they are off contract.