Ever since the iPhone 3GS became reality, the older iPhone 3G 8GB started to retail for a throw away price of $99. However, we sure know that a $99 iPhone 3G (8GB) isn’t worth the price, given that a $100 extra can get you the much better 3GS (16GB). Now some old rumors of a $99 iPhone 3GS 8GB have resurfaced with BGR reporting that this might well become reality to encash the rich holiday season.
With the global economy (specially US) recovering, Apple can hope for much better traction in sales with a $99 3GS, going against the Motorola Droid and the cheaper Palm Pixi. The Motorola Droid is all set to retail at a price point of $199, and before the next iPhone refresh happens around June / July 2010, many more powerful Android devices like the Sony Ericsson X10 would also go on sale. Add to that the pressure being put by low cost Nokia touchscreens and some excellent Windows Mobile phones like the HTC HD2, Apple sure would love to offer a better deal with the 3GS and reach the masses.
This rumors look even more realistic now with Apple announcing in its last quarter results that they are eying for better reach by lowering rates (thus taking a hit on profitability). The question to ask is, with the 3GS demand already touching sky high resulting in delays in global rollout, is there enough bandwidths for a 8GB 3GS to be rolled out?