Thanks to refurbishing, 3G iPhones get even cheaper

When the iPhone 3G S debuted in June, Apple simultaneously announced that the iPhone 3G, the new device's year-old, 8 GB predecessor would be dropping to a scant $99. What the Cupertino computer maker didn't announce was that the price for refurbished iPhones (i.e., phones that were previously owned, but returned within 30 days) would also be dropping to a price less than 15% of the 3G device's original cost.

AT&T is now offering refurbished 8 GB iPhone 3G for only $79 with a two-year contract, a considerable drop from the $150 price tag from six months ago.

While it is the lowest priced 3G iPhone thus far, the $20 "Refurb discount" is by far the smallest offered by AT&T. A refurbished Samsung Blackjack II, a BlackBerry-style 3G device which was also replaced this spring, has $90 taken off its price. And the HTC Fuze, yet another year old touchscreen 3G device has $100 knocked off its price.