Indian carrier Aircel has started selling the three year old iPhone 3GS for approximately $180 (₹9,999) along with an advance rental of $55 (₹3,000). Previously, the device was being sold at a price of approximately $360 (₹19,990).
Although the purchase would require subscribing to a mandatory data plan, the device would still be unlocked and available without a contract.
The upfront $55 rental for 12 months gives subscribers unlimited 3G data (throttled to 2G speeds after 2GB usage) for a year, or unlimited 2G data with 1,000 free voice minutes and 2,500 free messages monthly, for 6 months.
The combined cost of the device and the mandatory data plan totals up to $235, which is still a pretty good deal for a device that would be getting the iOS 6 upgrade, and be compatible with most apps on the App Store.
Its highly unlikely that Apple is behind this huge price drop, but this is a route that the company is very likely to take after the new iPhone is announced.
Bringing the iPhone 3GS to a lower price bracket enables Apple to better compete with Android handsets that are being sold around the $200 mark in various countries. This is one of the primary reasons why Android dominates hugely in markets like India.
