When I first applied with Cingular (which soon after became ATT) they required a $100 deposit which was refundable after a year if no payment problems.
I did and after a year, it was promptly refunded. I got one of their basic Samsung free phones. About a year later, I got the iPhone with no problem and no deposit.
However, there was a friend of mine with bad credit who applied for an iPhone and they required a $500 deposit for a year. Had he opted for a lesser phone it would have only been $100.
I seriously doubt that any company would let an iPhone go out the door with no credit record or a hefty deposit to back it up. They would be risking toomuch.
But if you were to get a more basic phone and establish a good track record with them for about a year or so, you’d likely get an iPhone without difficulty.
They really don’t have much choice regarding the iPhone since the market value is $500–600 and they are already taking a bath from subsidising it so heavily for regular customers. A new iPhone with a two year contract only costs each customer $200. Thats quite a difference.