AppleInsider Staff
In an announcement on Thursday, big-box retailer Walmart said it will be slashing prices on Apple's latest iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c models on Friday ahead of an impending refresh cycle expected this fall.
A Walmart spokesperson alerted Engadget to the new pricing tiers, noting Apple's 16GB iPhone 5s will be available in stores for $99 with two-year contract, down from $149, while the 16GB iPhone 5c will be reduced to $29, down from $49.
The price changes are scheduled to take effect at 9 a.m. local time and are only available through brick-and-mortar stores. Further deals for higher capacity models like the 32GB iPhone 5s and 5c are also expected, though specific details have yet to be released.
Walmart has offered similar deals on select iPhone 5s and 5c models through various promotions like the 2013 holiday sale, but tomorrow's price cut is said to be a permanent change.
The reason behind the move is unknown, though it can be assumed that the company is looking to get a leg up on competitors before Apple announces its next-generation lineup later this year.
Industry watchers expect the so-called "iPhone 6" to come in two sizes, a 4.7-inch model and a larger 5.5-inch "phablet" type version. Both are rumored to feature a complete redesign with thinner chassis, rounded edges and a relocated sleep/wake button. Internal enhancements will likely include an advanced "A8" processor and upgraded communications hardware.
Current speculation says Apple will release the iPhone 6 during the company's usual launch window in September, with some reports claiming to have pegged down the date to Sept. 19.
William Gallagher
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54 Comments
Smartphones have hit commodity status. Discounts everywhere!
For this to happen Apple has to have given the go-ahead. Now we have the lower priced iMac, the lower priced iPod Touch, the lower priced iPhone, all within a week or so. Some kind of decision has been made in Cupertino.
Replace the city name with 'Redmond' or 'Seoul' and you'll have the ENTIRE decision-making process of their guest companies.
"What about Mountain View?"
Throw the word 'evil' before 'decision'.
The iPhone 6 is going to be huge. "Huger" than huge!
[quote name="lkrupp" url="/t/180963/walmart-to-permanently-cut-price-of-apples-iphone-5s-to-99-iphone-5c-to-29#post_2556395"]For this to happen Apple has to have given the go-ahead. Now we have the lower priced iMac, the lower priced iPod Touch, the lower priced iPhone, all within a week or so. Some kind of decision has been made in Cupertino. [/quote] The decision was made by a grinning Tim Cook and Luca Maestri, who saw that Apple dominated the high end market in every area, and decided to start their assault on the other sectors. Just like when Apple decided to go after the cheap flash-based MP3 market with the iPod Mini. I only hope a decision is made soon about the Mac Mini, $599 for 2012 hardware is getting ridiculous. At least with the lone 13" non-Retina MBP it has a unique position, having a SuperDrive and being easily upgradeable compared to the rMBPs.