iPhone 6 Release Date Nears as Walmart Sells $79 iPhone 5S, Gazelle Pays $350 for Old 5S

Tempting deals that involve the iPhone 5S and older Apple device models now abound, somehow signaling that the iPhone 6 release date is coming very soon.

Cheapest iPhone there is

Over at Walmart, the U.S. retail giant appears to be hinting that the next iPhone will unbox in no time as it started selling the 2013 models at bargain price. The iPhone 5S, for instance, can be had in exchange for a not too damaging cash setback of $79, down from the already discounted $99 sticker price, Engadget said in a report.

The mouthwatering deal specifically involves the 16GB 5S and buyers need to sign up with any of the following network service providers: AT&T, Sprint, U.S. Cellular and Verizon.

But the iPhone 5C is the better attraction for those not wanting to fork out cash upfront as the handset is ready to take home for under a dollar or 97 cents, still at Walmart. Like the 5S, this virtually free iPhone 5C comes with 16GB of built-in memory plus the attached 2-year contract agreement with the telcos mentioned above.

It is understood that the promotional campaign will run until the 5S/5C replacement hits the shelves or while supply last. Walmart's latest move also brings out the sense of an impending commercial rollout for the devices' replacement - the iPhone 6 that is, which analysts said will come out of the box in two screen sizes, a 4.7-inch and a 5.5-inch.

High trade-in value

Obviously though, an affordable iPhone 5S hardly appeals to existing owners, who could be mulling serious thoughts of upgrading to the upcoming version that is touted to be bigger, faster, more powerful and sexier than the earlier builds.

Now is the time to do so, according to Apple Insider, pointing to the trade-in deals currently available at popular gadget swapping site Gazelle.com. The mechanics of selling used iPhones on Gazelle is hassle-free and advantageous at the same time.

No need for sellers to step out. They just need to log on the company's official site and browse through the plethora of deals that appeal to them.

At the moment, Apple Insider identifies the best iPhone 5S deal as the one that pays $350 for a 64GB unit that must be in 'flawless state'. That means the handset is in A1 working condition and the body is free from dents and scruffs.

Once the deal is sealed, seller has reserved for a particular package, Gazelle will send in a box for use of the unit owners in shipping the device.

The best part of the promo is Gazelle's consumer-friendly price-lock deal that gives sellers the option of sending their units at a later, pre-agreed schedule while getting the assurance of a fixed sell value.

In one particular case, swappers can zero in on a price deal now then opt to ship out their iPhone 5S by October 10, which means they can keep using the unit and surrender it only come the upgrade time or right after the iPhone 6 release date in early October 2014.