Just when you thought you could buy a totally free iPhone, AT&T raises the subsidized price of the iPhone 3GS to $0.99! What gives?
As spotted by MacRumors, one of the nation’s largest carriers is listing the iPhone 3GS as costing $0.99 on its online store. The carrier activation fee is waved with the purchase and AT&T is offering free overnight shipping. What’s really weird is that Apple still lists the iPhone 3GS as costing $0 on its own website.
The iPhone 3GS has been free on AT&T for nearly a month and a half. When Apple announced the iPhone 4S, the 8GB iPhone 4’s price became $99 and the 3GS was dropped to $0 with a two-year contract.
When MacRumors asked AT&T about the slight price change, the carrier beat around the bush:
iPhone 3GS is still available at an incredibly low price and we’re confident consumers will agree that this remains one of the best deals for a leading smartphone.
Why did AT&T bump the 3GS price up one dollar? We have absolutely no clue. Both AT&T and Apple made a big deal about the fact that the iPhone 3GS is now free with a subsidized contact.
