This morning, DigiTimes reported that Apple made an arrangement with Best Buy and Amazon to cut the price of the iPad mini. Upon further research, it appears that Amazon has dropped the price of the first generation model, as well as the iPad mini with Retina, by $50. Best Buy is offering $100 off of the first-generation iPad mini and the iPad mini with Retinal Display, WiFi + Cellular model.
According to DigitTimes, unnamed sources noted that Apple sold 16.4 million and 13.28 million tablets in the first and second quarter respectively. The sources believe that, in order to maintain tablet shipment status, Apple is encouraging a sale that might improve the numbers in the third quarter.
Apple is selling the iPad mini with Retina Display Wi-Fi only model starting at $399 for the 16GB model. Amazon is selling the same model for only $340. Best Buy does not have a sale on the WI-Fi only model.
Apple sells the 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular for $529. Best Buy currently offers it for $429. Amazon has a slight price reduction of $514.
The less-expensive first –generation iPad mini is available at 16GB from Apple for only $299, while Amazon offers the same model for around $250. Best Buy is selling the 16GB first-generation iPad mini Wi-Fi only for only $199.
DigiTime’s report is not confirmed with Apple and conveniently comes at a time when retailers are already dropping the price of iPad devices in order to make room for new stock Even though Apple isn’t expected to announce a new iPad model at the Sept. 9 event, it is likely that retailers are trying to move old products out of the storeroom to make room for what is predicted to launch in late October.
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