Best Buy, Radio Shack to sell iPhone 4 at launch, allow pre-orders (Updated)

Update: Engadget, among other sources, is reporting that both Best Best and Radio Shack may be changing their pre-order methods. Your best bet is to call your local store to learn how you can pre-order an iPhone 4. Original story below.
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With Wal-Mart set to carry iPhone 4 at its June 24 launch, today both Best Buy and Radio Shack officially announced that they will be doing the same, Gearlog reports. Unlike Wal-Mart, both retailers will also have pre-order options of their own starting on June 15.

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Consumers will be able to pre-order an iPhone 4 from any Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile location, as well as from any Radio Shack (with a $50 deposit). Radio Shack is also offering trade-in deals for older electronics, including older phones, game consoles, and cameras, eWeek reports.

iPhone 4 will go up for pre-order on Apple’s website tomorrow as well, but the addition of Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Radio Shack will offer even more choices to consumers. Apple seems to be planning for the biggest iPhone launch ever by roping in so many other retailers for the device’s launch, but it could also just be trying to limit the insanity Apple and AT&T stores usually see when a new iPhone comes out.

It will be interesting to see if spreading out the iPhone launch actually helps to thin out crowds. There’s also no telling what this means for the free launch-day delivery Apple usually offers for customers who pre-order an iPhone online. That convenience for customers comes at great expense to Apple, and it’s something it may begin charging for, especially when eager customers now have other retailers to choose from.

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