X

iPhone 4 on preorder at Sprint 'while supplies last'

The carrier says it will do its best to get the smartphone to customers on October 14 or October 15.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
See full bio
Don Reisinger
2 min read
An 8GB version of the iPhone 4 is available for pre-order right now.
An 8GB version of the iPhone 4 is available for pre-order right now. Apple

Although iPhone 4S preorders are just around the corner, Sprint is letting customers who don't want Apple's latest and greatest smartphone choose its predecessor.

Customers who surf to Sprint's Web site now can preorder the iPhone 4. The handset, which is available with 8GB of storage and the customer's choice of black or white, is on sale on Sprint's site for $99.99. According to the company's description, the preorder will be offered "while supplies last," and will do its best to get the smartphone to customers on October 14 or 15.

Apple announced the new iPhone 4S at a special event earlier this week. That device looks like the iPhone 4, but comes with a host of improvements, including a better camera and a dual-core processor. The iPhone 4S starts at $199, and will be made available for preorder tomorrow. The handset is slated to launch on October 14.

In addition to the iPhone 4S, Apple also announced reduced prices on the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 at its event earlier this week. The company's iPhone 3GS is available for free with a two-year contract, and the iPhone 4 will go on sale at the aforementioned $99 price point.

Related stories
• Apple's next iPhone makes its debut
• How Apple co-opted the Internet
• Apple iPhone 4S personal assistant: Siri
• ZDNet: iPhone 4S is swell, but pricing is the killer app
• Apple iPhone 4S unveiled (roundup)

Although it might seem odd that Sprint is offering preorders on a smartphone that is already on store shelves, there's a good explanation for it: the option that Sprint and other carriers will be selling has just 8GB of storage. The iPhone 4 previously had 16GB and 32GB options only. So none of the carriers have available stock of the new model right now.

Aside from Sprint, Verizon promises to ship the 8GB iPhone 4 on October 13. AT&T isn't providing availability time on the iPhone 4, but like its competitors, is offering preorders to customers.