If you've been anxiously tapping your feet for the iPhone 5, the wait is almost over. Apple is expected to reveal a new line of Apple products on September 12 that will include the iPhone 5. If the rumors are true, the iPhone 5 could be available for purchase as soon as September 21. So now that the release date is pretty much set in stone, what about the next step: will you be able to purchase it?
The only real rumor about the iPhone 5 price hit Twitter and caused a storm of angry responses. Supposedly, the rumor stated that the iPhone 5 will cost $800, prompting one user to tweet that "Me & God better be able to FaceTime" for that price. Don't worry though, you won't pay $800 for the iPhone 5...that is if you get it with a standard two-year contract.
The iPhone 4S debuted at $199 for the 16GB model with a contract. The iPhone's current top-dog competitor is the Samsung Galaxy S3, which also begins at $199 with a contract. There is no reason to believe that Apple will raise the bottom line on its iPhone prices, especially after the dent that Samsung made into its smartphone sales this year.
iPhone prices have grown over the years, and if you plan on buying an unlocked phone, then the $800 price tag might be something realistic. The first iPhone started at $499 for a 4GB model. An unlocked iPhone 4S, however, costs $649 for the 16GB version, $749 for the 32GB version, and $849 if you want 64GB. So if you plan on buying an unlocked iPhone 5, then chances are that one of the models will fall within the $800 price range.
The iPhone 5 will certainly be carried by AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint at its launch. The iPhone does not currently work on T-Mobile's network (unless you buy it unlocked) so don't expect an iPhone 5 launch through T-Mobile. Smaller carrier subscribers will most likely have to wait until initial demands on the national carriers are met.
If everything goes as planned, and other handsets like the Galaxy Note 2 and upcoming Nokia Windows 8 phones don't steal a lot of attention, the iPhone 5 launch looks to be the biggest handset launch in history, and the most impactful consumer electronics device of 2012.