Price Watch: Refurbished iPhone 3G now $99

The mythical $99 iPhone is finally here.

(Credit: Apple)

Hey, remember the refurbished iPhones I wrote about a couple weeks back? Many of you commented that $149 wasn't a good enough deal when $199 would buy you a brand-spankin'-new unit.

Well, what about $99? That's the new price point for an 8GB refurbished iPhone 3G from AT&T. Want the 16GB model? It'll run you $199, down from the previous price of $249. (Find all the current refurbished-iPhone deals at AT&T's site.)

Everything else is the same: You have to sign up for a two-year contract, and you get a 90-day warranty instead of one year. (I haven't been able to determine if you can purchase an extended warranty like you can with new models. Anybody know for sure?)

So, how about it? Is a $100 savings enough to get you to pull the trigger? (If so, act fast: This offer expires December 31.) Or is the $70-minimum monthly subscription just too steep? Hit the Comments and let fly.

In the meantime, I know where you can get some great freebie e-books to go with a new iPhone...

[mdjordan]

After seeing your first post about the refurb iPhones I called my parents, who were planning on getting them for Christmas for each other. I personally spoke to the AT&T rep on the phone to answer some questions and he unequivocally said they may ONLY be purchased by NEW AT&T subscribers. Not current subscribers wanting to upgrade their phones and willingly extend their contracts another 2 years...just FYI. (I didn't see that in either of your posts. Your first post stated that a contract had to be signed, but not that it had to be NEW.)

Love your submissions, I RSS so I usually read it right when it posts.

Michelle

[GrampaG]

Yes, the $70 monthly is WAY too steep just for the prestige offered by the iFONE. The production costs are probably comparable to any other phone and it is just the rave right now. That is $840 for a year!!
I may be silly but I work darn hard for my bucks and that price is for the rich and famous! Like the ink jet printer business.... they could give away the printers and do well just selling the ink! Actually this is probably what AT&T does.... (kickbacks $ to Apple..) If we wait a while longer Obama may give us all iPhones anyway.... along with everything else he is promising.

[hanketron]

I couldn't agree more.

[soneman28]

I second Michelle's post...after 90 minutes of wrangling with AT&T I hit the stonewall and they won't extend this offer to existing customers. New activations or adding a new line only. Seems kind of restrictive and stupid, but then again, it's AT&T. Keep up the great blog!

[julianstaniewski]

if you hink 840 a year is steep.
listen to this, in canada at rogers, you are obligated to sign a 3 year contract, and my cost is 100 a month. Think about it, one year costs 1200 $, and three years adds up to 3600$.
And for someone like me, (high schooler, part time job only) its a pretty steep bill.

[Noneyabeeswax]

You could try Square Trade Warranties, you can buy warranties on used and refurbished items, even on items bought on online auction sites. I believe they have cell phone warranties, and they have an accidental damage warranty for those occasions when you wash your cell phone in your jeans pocket, or similar circumstances. They're much cheaper than warranties from the retail stores too.

[rickbroida]

Alas, this deal is over. The price for refurbs is back up to $149. :(

[manemane94]

I love the iPhone! I got mine for free though and it wasn't refurbished. And since I unlocked it I can pay lower prices with T-Mobile! :) I got my iPhone from a freebie website called <a href="http://www.gifts.freebiejeebies.co.uk/43182"> FreebieJeebies</a>

[manemane94]

lol sorry you cant just click the link but you can copy and paste it

[uglymoon799]

Just an FYI, I just bought a refurb iphone for $99. I called apple to find out about the apple care, and I was told that even refurbished iphones have a 1 year warranty through Apple.