Starting September 28, pre-paid phone users will finally get a chance to own and use the new iPhone 5 with their pre-paid phone plan. Cricket Communications announced it would be offering the latest Apple smartphone to select markets in the U.S. a week after it becomes available to AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.
According to Gizmodo, the company has yet to release price details for the iPhone 5 but consumers should expect higher prices than other non-pre-paid companies. The iPhone 5, as well as the iPhone 4S, could retail between $399 and $499, reported Engadget. The higher device costs should even out with the long-term savings of a pre-paid plan.
The iPhone 5 will retail for $199 for 16GB, $299 for 32GB and $399 for 64GB when under contract. The new phone was introduced on Wednesday during Apple's San Francisco iPhone media event. It will include new features such as a larger screen, "ultrafast wireless," and longer battery life, among others.
Cricket Communications is the first pre-paid service to offer the iPhone but may not be the last. The company already offers the iPhone 4 (8GB) and the iPhone 4S (16GB) among its smartphone options. Unlike other consumers, Cricket costumers will not be able to pre-order their iPhone 5 and will have to wait until the September 28 release date.