Best Buy to Offer Apple iPhone 3G

Best Buy has struck a deal to become the first independent retailer of Apple's iPhone 3G, with sales starting on September 7.

Mega-retailer Best Buy has struck a deal to become the first independent retailer to offer Apple’s iPhone 3G. iPhones will go on sale at Best Buy on September 7; of course, they will also remain available through Apple and AT&T.

“The iPhone has changed the way people think about their mobile phones, and we are delighted to help more customers get their hands on this revolutionary product,” said Best Buy president and CEO Brian J. Dunn,in a statement. “Our Best Buy Mobile employees have the training and expertise to deliver the best experience possible for our customers—from the initial purchase through the life of their iPhones.”

iPhone 3G pricing at Best Buy will match prices from AT&T and Apple: $199 for the 8 GB model, $299 for the 16 GB edition. Customers will also be required to sign up for a two-year service agreement with AT&T.

Best Buy has also carried Apple’s Macintosh computers and iPod media players; industry watchers generally credit the retailer’s previous relationship with Apple with enabling Best Buy to be the first retailer to independently offer the iPhone.

Best Buy has recently completed a two-year conversion of almost 1,000 Best Buy locations to include mobile phone products under the Best Buy Mobile, a joint venture with CarPhone Warehouse (Europe’s leading mobile phone retailer), which resells phone service under carrier’s brands. Best Buy estimates Best Buy Mobile currently accounts for about 3.6 percent of the U.S. mobile market, up from 2 percent last year.