Walmart

Walmart has kicked off a 90 day fire sale for the iPhone 5c giving credence to previous rumors that the handset did not sell as well as Apple had hoped it would. The sale is also a sign that Apple is preparing to announce its next generation iPhone very soon.

The unapologetically plastic handset is now available for only $0.97 at Walmart retail locations. Walmart has also dropped the price of the iPhone 5s from $99 to $79. These prices are for the 16GB models and require a new two-year contract with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint or US Cellular. You can use Walmart's "Find a Store" feature to see if your local store is carrying the device.

A Walmart spokesperson told CNET that starting Friday at 9 a.m. the iPhone 5c will cost only $29. That's $20 off its normal $49 asking price. The iPhone 5c is also being reduced to only $99, down from $149. The deal requires a new two year agreement with AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint, and it in-store only. However, Walmart representatives have misled us about Apple sales before, so make sure you call ahead to clarify your local location is participating in the sale.

Apple fans can also expect other retailers to follow suit as we get closer to the launch of Apple's next-generation handset(s). In previous years, retailers such as Best Buy and Target have slashed iPhone prices weeks before Apple's newest iPhone is announced, but unlike the previous generations, the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s have both been heavily discounted since their release. Walmart has discounted the iPhone 5c at least four times, according to our archives, and the retailer has offered the device for as low as $29 at least once before.

The motto save money takes on new meaning for Walmart customers looking to purchase a brand new iPhone. The company is now offering the iPhone 5s for $119 and the iPhone 5c for just $29. Both deals require a two-year service agreement with AT&T Mobility or Verizon Wireless.

These new prices on 16GB handsets are highly competitive, slashing $26 off the previous iPhone 5s price, and lowering the iPhone 5c cost by $16. Best Buy will get a run for its money, as Walmart now beats its lowest price on the iPhone 5s and 5c by a total of 31 bucks and $21 respectively.

The iPhone 5c price war rages on. Hours after Best Buy announced it would offer the new handset for only $50, RadioShack announced the same deal. Both electronics retailers will give customers a $50 gift card when they buy a $99 iPhone 5c. However not to be outdone, Walmart just announced it would begin selling the 16GB model for only $45 throughout the holiday season.

This is a great opportunity to make a profit by selling your old iPhone while still upgrading to Apple's latest handset. Both Gazelle and Nextworth are accepting trade-ins for all used iPhone models in working condition. You can get up to $115 in cash for a used iPhone 4, and up to $320 for a used iPhone 5. This is much better than Best Buy and RadioShack's $50 gift card deals. It also allows you to have enough money to take advantage of Walmart's $45 sale, and still have enough left over to pay off your carrier's early termination fees if you're still under contract. You can compare trade-in values for all the iPhone models here.

Two major retailers, Target and Walmart, have both announced a $20 discount off the on contract price of the 16GB iPhone 5c model when purchased either online or in person at their in-store mobile centers. The phone, priced at $99, drops to $79 with the mark down. Target is offering an additional 5% off if you purchase the phone with your Target REDcard. All other models remain at their original prices.

As far as the iPhone 5s is concerned, Walmart has dropped the price of that 16GB version down $10, from $199 to $189. Not a significant savings, but it’s still ten extra bucks in your pocket. Target, however, is staying with the original $199 sticker price.