Get a refurbished 16GB iPhone 3G for $149
If you need proof that new iPhone models are just around the corner, check out the latest refurb deal from AT&T: you can now get a refurbished 16GB iPhone 3G for just $149. Shipped!
That's $50 less than the last time I wrote about iPhone refurbs (when, admittedly, I was more focused on the $99 8GB model, which is still available) and a big fat $150 less than the price of a new unit.
And, hey, if you're gonna get an iPhone, you might as well get as much storage as you can. (Trust me, 8GB doesn't go very far.)
Of course, as I've mentioned before, it's not the price of the phone itself that stalls most people, it's the monthly bill. AT&T's bare-minimum service and data plans will run you $70 per month, plus another few bucks in taxes and fees.
Plus, you have to sign up for a two-year contract, but there are always ways around that if you really need to get out.
My only complaint with this deal is the 90-day warranty, but I believe you can purchase one of Apple's extended warranties at the end of that period--probably a good idea.
So, should you hop on this or wait for whatever next-gen iPhone Apple has waiting in the wings? Given that you'll be able to upgrade this model to OS 3.0 in a couple months, I say hop. I'd be very, very surprised if the hardware price ever gets lower than this.
Once you've received your shiny, new (well, slightly used) precious, be sure to check out my six killer iPhone freebies. Because the last thing you want to do is spend more money, right?
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog. 
@sardonicus: Knock it off with the anti-Apple rants. The iPhone most certainly does switch automatically between EDGE and 3G. And name me any product that has 0% failures. With Apple selling over 10 million of these devices, you're being quite unreasonable to critique a certain number of them needing repair or being returned resulting in these supplies of refurb. units. If you absolutely must slam Apple, at least do so with rational arguments.
- by wendykroy April 21, 2009 6:58 AM PDT
- this sounded like a wonderful deal for me, one whose phone went for an accidental toilet swin and now is semi-functional. The water senors got wet and apple completely divorces itself from any water damaged phones. I got mine 6 months ago and learned you can only get the refurb phone, as an ATT customer, if you are eligible for an upgrade. Otherwise they will not sell it to you. so my choices were to pony up 400 bucks for an 8GB phone or waith the 1.5 years until i am eligible for an upgrade. Sucks.
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