Radio Shack To Carry iPhone 4

Retailer Radio Shack has been authorized to accept pre-orders for Apple's iPhone 4 during the pre-launch, which kicks off next week, according to reports.

Radio Shack joins Apple, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and AT&T stores as the only retailers that will sell Apple's latest iPhone.

Similar to Apple's iPhone 4 ordering system, Radio Shack and Best Buy are expected to begin taking pre-orders of the iPhone 4 on June 15th. Radio Shack customers pick up their orders on the 24th. Wal-Mart is reportedly not going to be taking pre-orders for the iPhone 4.

In late March, Radio Shack became the second-largest third-party retailer of iPhones in the U.S. when it began selling the iPhone 3GS in 3,000 of its 4,500 locations.

Some Radio Shack locations are expected to open their doors hours early to handle pre-order sign ups. The retailer will also be touting its cell phone Trade-In Program, which will give customers the option of turning in their old phone in return for a Radio Shack gift card that may be used toward the purchase of a new iPhone or other products.

Consumer trade-in service Gazelle said last week that trade-ins of older iPhones have jumped nearly 1,000 percent this year over last year's activity in response to the iPhone 4 announcement.

For example, a previous-generation 16GB iPhone 3G that is determined to be in fairly good condition could net up to a $185 Radio Shack gift card, if it is tied to an expiring or expired two-year contract.

That would significantly defray the cost of a new 16GB iPhone 4 to $14 before taxes and AT&T's standard $36 new phone activation fee. Similarly, a 16GB iPhone 3GS in good condition could pay up to $256.84 while customers could receive as much as $329 for trading in the 32GB model.