Sprint to stop selling iPhone 4 in stores, but not online

Sprint will continue selling Apple's iPhone 4, but only through it's online store beginning later this week.

Josh Lowensohn Former Senior Writer

Josh Lowensohn joined CNET in 2006 and now covers Apple. Before that, Josh wrote about everything from new Web start-ups, to remote-controlled robots that watch your house. Prior to joining CNET, Josh covered breaking video game news, as well as reviewing game software. His current console favorite is the Xbox 360.

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Josh Lowensohn

Sept. 18, 2012 10:11 a.m. PT

Reports of the iPhone 4's demise on Sprint appear to be exaggerated, but not entirely untrue.

A company spokesperson confirmed with CNET that the phone will no longer be sold at Sprint's stores this Friday, but that customers will still be able to purchase it online.

"iPhone 4 will become a Web only device effective on September 21. We will certainly still be selling it," a company spokeswoman told CNET.

An image posted on 9to5Mac last night showed that the iPhone 4 would "removed from Planogram on 9/21/12" suggesting the device would no longer be available for sale.

Sprint became a carrier of Apple's iPhone last year with the release of the iPhone 4S. At the time the company also began selling the iPhone 4 alongside Apple's newer, flagship device.

With the release of the iPhone 5, which goes on sale this Friday, the iPhone 4 becomes a free device on most carriers, with a two-year contract.