Apple has announced that Sprint will finally get the iPhone, making it the third U.S. wireless carrier to offer Apple's flagship device.
Starting Oct. 14, Sprint will begin carrying the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S. We expect the new iPhone to sell for $200 with a two-year contract, in line with the prices AT&T and Verizon Wireless charge. For that price, Sprint's line of iPhones will come with unlimited data plans, a key difference from its competitors.
On Monday, we learned that Sprint was making a $20 billion bet on the iPhone. It has agreed to purchase at least 30.5 million iPhones in the next four years -- more than its current postpaid subscriber base of 27+ million. It's a risky move that will make a big dent on the bottom line until at least 2014.
However, Sprint now has the iPhone, a weapon it needed to stay competitive. Now it must find a way to poach customers from other carriers and sell 30+ million iPhones in the new few years. Otherwise, it could collapse under the financial pressure of its deal with Apple. Sprint is getting the iPhone, but it paid a hefty price to do so.
What Apple Announced Oct. 4:
iPhone 4S: When, Where and How Much
Free iPhone: Apple Cuts 3GS Price to $0
Apple Unveils Siri, the iPhone 4S Voice Assistant
New iPod Nano Is Clock and Fitness Watch in One
iOS 5 Available for Download Oct. 12
Cards: Apple’s One-Stop-Shop for iPhone Greeting Cards