macnn/electronista
09/05/2007, 2:25pm, EDT
Wednesday, September 5thApple cuts iPhone price to $399, drops 4GB model
Apple today surprised the audience at its "The Beat Goes On" event with a dramatic reduction in price for the iPhone. Effective today, the 8GB model that was previously on sale for $599 will now sell for $399; no word has yet been received about the 4GB model, which is now expected to be phased out in favor of the 8GB version alone. The company did not explain how the company could justify the drop but noted that the cut was intended to be a companion to the iPod touch, which includes most of the same features at $399.
"We want to be even more aggressive than [what we've launched today]," said Apple chief Steve Jobs at the event. "We want to make the iPhone even more affordable. [And] customers buy the 8GB iPhone overwhelmingly, so we're focusing on that."
The price drop may in part have been spurred by high sales of the touchscreen phone, which went on sale in late June but is already said to have claimed the top spot in the US cellphone business, claiming 1.8 percent of all phones in a recent study.
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As much as I enjoy Apple-ware this potential 'Big Brother' scenario really has my concern...
Are you enjoying your iPhone? Were you happy with it this morning? Then you should STILL be happy with it. Geez, stop whining! $399 puts it in reach of even more people - which means you'll get even more support, more incentive for Apple to create cool iPhone apps, and for AT&T to beef up and speed up their data network.
Can't hack the price? Then hang back and wait till they're cheaper - but don't be an early adopter and then whine about it when you see a price cut. :p
Apple doesn't owe anyone anything. You knew price cuts were coming (maybe this sooner than expected) but you still got a great phone!