Wal-Mart employees have confirmed the retailer will begin selling the iPhone before the end of December, however talk of a $99 Apple handset remain mostly in the rumor stage.
Although neither the giant discount retail nor the exclusive carrier AT&T have officially disclosed their plans, both Bloomberg and the Mercury News quote retailers confirming the iPhone is set to be sold by Wal-Mart after Christmas.
Citing unnamed employees at five California Wal-Marts, Bloomberg Monday reported workers are being trained to sell the 8GB and 16GB iPhones. Friday, the Mercury News reported other California Wal-Mart managers were being trained to offer the iPhones.
Only a Wal-Mart manager in Milpitas, Calif. said AT&T had told employees they would receive 4GB iPhones.
After reporting surfaced that Wal-Mart would sell iPhones Dec. 28, Web Site Boy Genius Report passed on unconfirmed talk the retailer might offer a $99 model, reviving the 4GB iPhone to attract shoppers hit by the rough economy.
However, those initial reports were being downplayed Monday as Mac Rumors offered a photo of Wal-Mart training material which included an 8GB iPhone for $197.