Wal-Mart May Get $197 iPhone

A few days ago, I reported a rumor about Wal-Mart selling a new 4GB iPhone 3G for $99, and I questioned the reasoning behind the rumored product. While Apple might decide to offer a lower-priced iPhone, it makes little sense to limit such a device to Wal-Mart. In addition to damaging relationships with iPhone partners, including AT&T and Best Buy, it would put Apple in the position of kow-towing to Wal-Mart, something that’s more than a little difficult to envision.

Courtesy of Apple

The latest news in this saga is that Wal-Mart will become an authorized iPhone retailer. As for model and price, it appears Wal-Mart will carry the standard 8 GB and 16 GB iPhones. As far as we can tell, Apple won’t offer any special pricing to Wal-Mart, although the retailer may discount the iPhone a dollar or two on its own, as it has with iPods.

Of course, until we actually see an iPhone at Wal-Mart, this is still just speculation. I wouldn’t hold off on purchasing an iPhone based on these rumors.