When Apple officially introduced the iPhone 5 earlier this month, the Cupertino firm also revealed that the iPhone 4 would be assuming the role of the free-on-contract iPhone, kicking the 3GS to the curb. The iPhone 4 has been available on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, but a screenshot from Sprint's internals systems (shown below) sent to 9to5Mac last night said that the handset "will be removed from Planogram on 9/21/12," leading to some speculation that Sprint won't offer the iPhone 4 past that date. However, Sprint told CNET today that it "will certainly still be selling" the iPhone 4, but that it'll only be available online starting September 21.

While the iPhone 4 isn't the first iPhone to have its priced chopped to free with a two-year contract, it will be the first free iPhone on Sprint and Verizon, so it's good to see that the Now Network will be keeping the iPhone 4 around, even if it is only available online. The iPhone 4 is an improvement over the 3GS thanks to its improved camera and Retina display, and at the low price of $0, it could be worth considering for anyone on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon that's looking for a new smartphone on the cheap. The 8GB iPhone 4 will drop to free on September 21. Meanwhile, the 16GB iPhone 4S will be priced at $99 and the iPhone 5 will be available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities for $199, $299 and $399.

Via 9to5Mac, CNET