Get the iPhone 4S for $150

NEW YORK (MainStreet) – Apple has been very consistent in its pricing on the iPhone: The latest model always starts at $200 with a new two-year contract, and we don’t see any kind of price drop until the new model is about to launch. So that’s why we were surprised to discover today that you can now get the iPhone 4S for $150.

There is, of course, a catch: To get that price, you’ll need to sign up for a two-year contract not with AT&T, Sprint or Verizon, but with a small regional carrier called C-Spire. The carrier, which operates in the southeastern U.S., made headlines back when the 4S first launched in fall 2011, as it was the first regional carrier to get the iPhone. Though some people might understandably balk at signing on with a regional carrier, C-Spire does have access to nationwide 3G networks, so you’re able to get voice and data coverage across the country. (Such data roaming arrangements were officially mandated by the FCC last year.)

In addition to getting the baseline 16 GB iPhone for $150, the carrier also offers $50 off all the other models as well, which means you can get the 32 GB model for $250 and the 64 GB model for $350. The offer appears to be a permanent price cut rather than a limited-time offer.

Don't want to spend too much? Check out our Deals & Steals hot topic for more bargains. Don't want to spend anything at all? There's plenty of Free Stuff to be had as well.

Matt Brownell is a staff reporter for MainStreet. You can reach him by email at matthew.brownell@thestreet.com, or follow him on Twitter @Brownellorama.