iPhone 5 dials up discount for regional carrier debut

iPhone 5 dials up discount for regional carrier debut
A week after the iPhone 5 made its debut with the major carriers, Apple's new smartphone is going on sale tomorrow at regional wireless carriers -- with some offering a $50 discount.Regional carriers Cellcom, nTelos, Appalachian Wireless, C Spire, GCI, and Leap Wireless' Cricket Communications will join AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint tomorrow in selling Apple's new smartphone, PC Magazine reports. But in a bid to attract the undecided, Cellcom, nTelos, and Appalachian plan to cut $50 off the normal retail price, bringing carrier-subsidized purchase prices down to $149 for the 16GB version, $249 for the 32GB model, and $349 for the flagship 64GB model. "We've seen the anticipation for iPhone 5 grow and are excited to soon offer our customers this fantastic phone on our network," Cellcom CEO Pat Riordan said in a statement.For users more interested in an off-contract purchase, Cricket will offer the iPhone 5 at$499.99 -- a full $150 off the price AT&T charges.The iPhone 5 recorded 5 million units sold in its opening weekend, but it has since logged a handful of consumer complaints, including purple halos on photos, light leaks, static lines on the keyboard, and scuffs along the edge of the phone.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play

iPhone 5 comes to Walmart's no-contract Straight Talk plan

iPhone 5 comes to Walmart's no-contract Straight Talk plan
Forget contracts, users can now snap up Apple's iPhone 5 at Walmart with Straight Talk Wireless. The major retailer announced today that it will be offering users a contract-free iPhone 5 or iPhone 4 for $45 a month starting on Friday."We believe customers shouldn't have to choose between saving money and having the latest technology," senior vice president of Entertainment for Walmart U.S. Seong Ohm said in a statement. "Now customers can have the coveted iPhone with unlimited talk, text and data without a contract." The iPhone 5 has been available at Walmart since the launch of the device in September, but it only came with a two-year contract.According to Walmart, the iPhone 5 and 4 will be available in more than 2,000 stores and at Walmart.com. The iPhone 5 will be 16GB and sold for $649 and the iPhone 4 will be 8GB and cost $449. Straight Talk is offering a $45 per month no contract unlimited talk, text, and data plan. Additionally, users can buy the smartphone over time with a financing offer of $25 per month.Besides Apple and major mobile carriers, other retail stores -- like Best Buy and Radio Shack -- also sell the smartphone. Apple began offering the unlocked iPhone 5 device in November, which lets users go the prepaid route rather than be tethered to certain plans or contracts.

iPhone 5 'already in production,' says Japan-based blog

iPhone 5 'already in production,' says Japan-based blog
Production of the next iPhone has already begun, a Japanese-language Apple blog claims.And to back up its claim, the Macotakara blog citeslistings for iPhone 5 cases on China's Alibaba.com. The blog goes on to say that the back of the new iPhone has both glass and aluminum."In the area where aluminum is not used, there is glass." (see image below). This contrasts with previous reports that claim the next iPhone will have an all-aluminum back like the iPad.Macotakara image showing back of iPhone 5.MacotakaraBy comparison, the iPhone 4S sports glass coverings on the front and back. The iPhone 5's most anticipated feature -- which has been widely reported -- is a larger 4-inch class Retina display with a 16:9 aspect ratio.Previous iPhones have had a 3.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio.Oh, if you're interested in preordering an iPhone 5, Chinese resellers on Taobao (a unit of Alibaba) are already accepting orders, according to Reuters. Good luck with that.Via [AppleInsider] Related storiesiPhone 5 rumor roundup