Apple stores are now also reportedly selling contract-free iPhone 3G’s. Price is $599 for the 8GB and $699 for the 16GB. Previously only AT&T announced that they will be selling “no contract” iPhones.

The only difference between purchasing from the Apple store and AT&T is that there is no limit on the iPhones you can purchase. But that definitely makes me wonder, who needs more than one of these things?! You also don’t have to be an AT&T customer in order to purchase one.

I see no mention of Apple store iPhones 3G’s being unlocked from the box so I would assume that these would still require AT&T to be used. Of course, you always have the choice to jailbreak your iPhone, should you choose to.

Apple probably decided that they can move remaining stocks of the iPhone 3G faster if they also sell at their own retail stores. This is a good indication that we will be seeing the next generation iPhone soon.

Think about it… Purchase a contract-free iPhone now that will be considered old in a couple of months or wait for a spanking new generation version of the iPhone? You decide. Either way, a whole lot of money is involved.

[via CrunchGear and Apple iPhone apps.com]