This isn’t a CES 2013 story per se, but the simple fact it’s getting widely reported says a lot about how utterly boring and vapid (4K TV, anyone?) this year’s show is. That said, don’t have the scratch for one of Apple’s shiny new smartphones? Walmart has deal — a real, you’re getting a deal, kind of deal — that puts a new prepaid iPhone 5 (no contract) in your hands for a highly attractive flat monthly price.

Walmart, in cooperation with MVNO Straight Talk Wireless, has announced an attractive prepaid iPhone 5 deal — $25 a month for the Apple smartphone and $45 for no contract unlimited nationwide talk, text, and data.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the remarkable iPhone 5 to customers looking for one of the most advanced smartphones with one of the most affordable No Contract plans ever,” said FJ Pollak, CEO and President, TracFone Wireless. “The advanced iPhone 5 with our unlimited $45 monthly plan and Walmart’s $25 special financing offer is a marriage made in heaven – making it the most affordable premium smartphone offer in America. With this exclusive offer the last reason for not purchasing the No Contract Straight Talk plan is gone.”

This deal rolls Friday, January 11 and neither the press release nor Walmart.com lists the quid pro quos for this in-store only offer, so read carefully. For example, it isn’t known how many $25 payments Walmart wants for a shiny $649 iPhone 5.

Quite naturally, the trap here is the required Walmart credit card, though an easy way around potential pratfalls is to use that piece of plastic just once — get the iPhone 5 — and then put it in a drawer while paying the bill in full every time.

Short of cash, but long discipline? This is the prepaid iPhone 5 deal for your…

What’s your take?