Is Apple trying to reduce its iPhone inventory?
Apple has been making a lot of moves over the past few weeks which seem to indicate that it is trying to speed up the consumption of iPhone 3Gs.Â
Here are some of the indications that Apple has been offloading iPhone 3Gs:
1. AT&T is selling refurbs for $99 (again) with activation and plan
2. O2 is giving away free iPhones with their low cost plans (not their expensive plans)
3. AT&T and Apple are now selling iPhones without contract (or second line) knowing that more will go Jailbroken this way. (If you have $600-$700 to spend)
4. France is now selling them unlocked at department stores.
5. China Unicom might get offloaded a few million on May 17th, ahead of new model.
6. AT&T executives have the new models for testing and are so excited they can't keep their mouths shut.
7. UK retailers are selling unlocked 3G iPhones.
8. WWDC, the traditional launching pad for new iPhones was announced yesterday. It will be June 8-12th.
9. Remember all of those extra iPhone part numbers found in the 3.0 build? Yeah, those can't all be tablets.
10. AT&T stores are now offering early upgrade pricing on iPhone 3G.
So why the offloading? Is Apple a little behind in getting rid of their iPhone 3G supplies? Or, maybe Apple's next model is a little ahead of schedule? Most people forcast the new iPhones coming out in June or July like in the previous two years (near WWDC).Â
No one buys a product when they know a new, better one is right around the corner. Maybe Apple is preempting this by releasing the next iPhone ahead of schedule. May?
Whatever the case, Apple is stepping up the discounts and ways to get your hands on a 3G iPhone. Now might be a good time to get your hands on one if you are in the market, or perhaps it is best to wait and see what Apple does next?
(image from MacRumors)
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