Wal-Mart rolls back prices on tech gadgets, iPhone 5 down to $98

With a flurry of new tech devices expected soon, Wal-Mart is rolling back prices on popular gadgets, including the iPhone 5.

The large retailer said Friday that it will now sell the popular Apple smartphone for $98 when customers buy a 16-gigabyte version with a two-year contract with AT&T, Verizon or Sprint. Previously, Wal-Mart sold the device for $129.

Wal-Mart is also cutting down the price of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 for AT&T and Verizon to $138. Prior to the rollback, the retailer sold the AT&T version for $168 and the Verizon version cost $148.

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The Galaxy S 3 and the iPhone 4S, meanwhile, are now both available for less than $1. Customers can buy the devices for just $0.97 with a two-year contract. The GS3 is available for Verizon and AT&T and the iPhone 4S can be bought for AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.

Wal-Mart is also applying its rollback to tablets, including cutting the price of all Apple iPads by $50. The basic iPad with retina is now selling for $449 and the iPad 2 for $349. The retailer is also now selling the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy 2 for $169, down from $199.

The price changes come just weeks before new versions of the iPhone are expected to be unveiled and go on sale. Apple is also expected to release new versions of its iPad devices later this year.

Wal-Mart said phones must be purchased in stores so that they can be activated. Tablets can be purchased in stores or online.

When asked how long Wal-Mart plans to keep the lowered prices, the retailer said “it is technically a rollback which means price could be adjusted at a later date.”

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