November 11, 2009 -- AT&T this morning announced the availability of refurbished 3GS iPhones at a substantial discount. Both 16GB and 32GB reconditioned models are now available for $50 cheaper than their shiny-new counterparts.

Prior to this announcement, common knowledge throughout the Apple online community recognized that previous-generation 3G models were available for an amazingly cheap $49 -- the 16GB 3G model being only $99.

With today's announcement, however, iPhone-seeking fanatics are no longer required to settle for yesteryear's technology. They can enjoy all the enhancements of the 3GS model, while saving pennies for the upcoming Christmas shopping season.

Currently, the refurbished vs. new iPhone breakdown is as follows:



A prior-generation, new 8GB iPhone G3 is currently available for $99. However, the refurbished version of the same nets a whopping 50% discount -- available for only $49. Now that's a cheap iPhone, no question.

A reconditioned 16GB iPhone 3G is also available for $100.

New 16GB and 32GB 3GS models remain at their current AT&T-subsidized price of $199 and $299 respectively. Refurbished versions are substantially cheaper as well, and can be had for $149 for the 16GB version and $249 for the 32GB model.

Refurbished iPhones are only available from AT&T and, incidentally, are not available from the refurbished section of The Apple Store.

AT&T requires a two-year contract and new activation in order to purchase these iPhones at these cheap prices.

For more information, please visit the iPhone page at the AT&T Wireless website.