Although Apple likely won’t officially drop prices on their phones until they’ve announced the iPhone 5, you apparently Apple will now price-match iPhone 4S discounts from carriers trying to unload their stock. According to MacRumors, Apple store employees have been authorized to lower pricing on their phones to $349.99, $249.99, and $149.99 for various models of the iPhone 4S on contract as well as $49.99 for the iPhone 4 on request. The maximum discount appears to be $49.01, in line with prices offered at Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target, Sprint, and other carriers.

According to what appears to be an internal Apple Store memo.

According to MacRumors’ screenshot, this only applies to Market Support-approved competitive offers, likely so this policy can’t be abused by opportunistic store owners. There’s also no way of getting this discount from the Apple Store. If you want the deal, you have to speak to a blue-shirt, preferably with the lower price clipping in hand. It also may not be valid in Apple Stores outside the United States.

If you like the current generation iPhones and aren’t a part of the sea of American consumers eagerly awaiting Apple’s next model, this might seem like a good deal. On the other hand, the price should fall through the floor after Apple’s next product launch. Wait with the rest of us and you could save a tidy sum of money.(And think of the ridiculous deals carriers will be offering on their data plans!)

Price clipping from BestBuy. 8GB iPhone 4 for $49.99 with a two-year contract.

Unless you have a really good reason to upgrade your phone, hold off until Apple announces a new phone. Now when was that again? September? October? Before the holiday season? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.