Apple, Orange Wireless Negotiating iPhone Price Cut

If you live across the pond and were planning on picking up an iPhone in the near future, waiting might have proven to be the right tactic. Apple is currently in negotiations with French wireless carrier Orage about lowering the cost of the French iPhone. The handset is currently priced at €399 (or US$635), a price which makes it one of the most expensive handsets in Europe.

Sources close to the story have indicated that Apple is apparently disappointed with sales of the iPhone in France, which only recently crossed the 100,000 unit threshold, as well as its European sales in general. The company may extend its recent spurt of price cuts seen elsewhere which brought the eight gigabyte iPhone to £169 in the UK and just €99 in Germany. Apple may also be looking to clear out its inventory in advance of a 3G iPhone release rumored to take place this summer.

Reports have indicated that Orange is willing to go along with Apple's plan but is currently negotiating for a better revenue-sharing agreement in order to compensate for lower profits on each iPhone sold.

[Via CNNMoney.com]