While the new $97 may not bother people who've had theirs for a while, it may sting others who recently purchased one. Nathan Simpson got his Sunday. Fortunately, it was on his bosses' dime. "I think that's a pretty good price. I think maybe we should have held off for a couple of more days for me to get that one instead," said Simpson.
The steep discount available at Wal-Mart comes as Apple prepares for the company's Worldwide Developer's Conference on June 7th. That's when Apple is expected to unveil its newest version of the iPhone.
Still, Fresno's David Ruiz called the $97 iPhone a bargain. Ruiz recently started "iPhone Medics," a business that fixes broken iPhones. Ruiz said says everyone can benefit from iPhones becoming more affordable. "That causes a ripple effect that more developers are able to start creating applications, games, and business suites. And when you have a large market like that, you're going to have the best of the best creating the best products," said Ruiz.
Ruiz's 3GS cost him about $250 just over a year ago. It's the same one now offered at Wal-Mart for $97. But for early adopters like him, the price doesn't really matter. "If I could do it again, I'd spend it. Apple develops some of the greatest products. I stand behind them I think they know what they're doing," said Ruiz.
The $97 iPhone still requires a two year service commitment from AT&T, the exclusive carrier for iPhones. But there's also speculation on the internet that a new iPhone for Verizon could soon be announced.
