Here’s a deal not to be missed - although we wonder why Wal-Mart didn't get this into the pipeline earlier on and in time to get a lot of iPhone 5s nestled under the Christmas tree. No matter; it's still a great deal, and we can expect a lot of people to take advantage of it.

What are we talking about here exactly?

Straight Talk Wireless, a key no-contract mobile phone services provider and Wal-Mart are partnering to deliver an outstanding mobile deal, which will become available the morning of January 11, 2013 across more than 2,000 Wal-Mart stores, as well as online at WalMart.com. 

Here's the deal:

• Customers will be able to purchase the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4.
• Though the prices will be unsubsidized prices, Wal-Mart will make each of them available to customers through special monthly financing that will bring total cost in at roughly the same as it will cost a user for monthly wireless access at T-Mobile (which launched a similar service on January 9, 2013), and very likely soon at Sprint. The huge difference is that at T-Mobile and Sprint you won't be able to get an iPhone 5 (or an iPhone 4 for that matter).
• Customers will gain access to Straight Talk’s $45 no contract unlimited talk, text and data plan.
  • StraightTalk will also make available a $60 plan that includes unlimited international calling to more than 1,000 destinations in Mexico, Canada, India and in other countries.
• Wal-Mart will offer its customers who purchase either the iPhone 5 or the iPhone 4 in the store a no-interest, fixed-monthly payments special financing offer, for only $25 a month with a Wal-Mart Credit Card.
  • The iPhone 5 will be available in black and white with 16 GB for $649, and the iPhone 4S will be available in black and white with 8 GB for $449.

So for a total of $70 - or $85 with unlimited international calling - per month (until the iPhone is paid for in full), customers will have a no contract, unlimited text, talk and data plan and an iPhone 5 or 4S. $70 at T-Mobile (and likely soon at Sprint) will only get you the no contract, unlimited data plan.

At T-Mobile you can buy an LG phone, and Sprint is anticipated to sell only Sprint-branded phones of decidedly low quality (in our opinion at least).

Go to it!