This is a discussion thread to discuss anything that is related to the Australian launch of the Apple iPhone (pricing, plans, carriers, features, etc) - discussion started over here but comment posting has now closed, due to the creation of this thread so continuing discussion here!
Apple iPhone - Discussion Thread
JeffreyM on 10/06/2008 - 17:39
Comments
Optus and Vodafone have announced that the iphone will be available for prepaid plans.
From the News site
"THE next-generation 3G Apple iPhone will be available in Australia on prepay plans without a contract when it is released here next month.
Both Optus and Vodafone – the first carriers to announce an iPhone offering – today confirmed they would offer the handset on a prepay plan, a key concern among the phone's target demographic."Our prices will be at least 20% higher reflecting $ rate and our 10% GST. So 8GB will not go for less than $240 given the ipod nano =$US199 and the ipod Nano =$A249 then a $299 price for the 8GB iphone is at the top end of the range. So I think its at least worth waiting to see what it comes in at.
I guess the Telstra execs maybe questioning their Microsoft allegiance that makes them so reluctant to embrace anything Apple.
One thing to note is that the price quoted (around US$199, US$299) are the upfront payment of a plan. Therefore one is expected to pay much more if you were to buy it outright.
It probably will be around $300 - $400 on a $79/month x 24months plan or something along those lines. I doubt it will be $300~AUD outright. That will kill the market, you will have people buying it from across the globe. My understanding is that with the US market, when you buy an iPhone..you can only get it with a contract. It doesn't really make sense to release it at that pricepoint with no strings attached. Just my 2 cents :)
um ur wrong.
have u checked the applestore in us?
thats how much they sell the phones outright for.
At the moment u can get 8 gig new for 299 and refurbed for $250
my friends gonna go to usa in a month and i'm gonna buy 2 lol
my guess is they'll prob sell for $400 bucks here 2times the price :P
They were sold at this price for 1st gen iPhone because AT&T shares monthly revenue with Apple as subsidies. Now for 2nd gen iPhone Apple is getting the subsidies upfront from AT&T and other providers (like most other phone+contract package), and I doubt you can break a contract that easily.
So basically it's $199 for a 8G 2nd gen iPhone + $30/month AT&T data plan — works out to be almost $1000 AUD for 24 month "unlimited data" plan.
if thats true then iphone can go kiss my fake desay m888 HAHAHAHA!
The AT&T plan is actually twice that price.
http://www.pdastreet.com/articles/2008/6/2008-6-11-AT-T-Deta…
"So instead of $20 per month for Internet access on AT&T's pokey EDGE data network, you'll need to pay $30 a month with a voice plan of $39.99 or higher to access the carrier's much faster 3G data network."
So that's US$40 + US$30 = $70 p/month + your upfront cost of your 8Gb iPhone $199
I wonder where this myth of iPhones costing just $199 came from?
Apple and Steve Jobs are really good at spinning things… affordable? I don't think so!
Maybe we should all just wait to see. But from the BBC website listed above
"Mr Jobs pledged that the $199 price would be the same across many countries."
From AT&T
With a two-year contract, the price of an 8GB iPhone 3G will be $199; the 16GB model will be priced at $299.
Unlimited iPhone 3G data plans for consumers will be available for $30 a month, in addition to voice plans starting at $39.99 a month.So best guess, as the base $199 price is for a 24 month contract at $40 a month (plus data) which would mean that Voda and Optus will probably have a $A269-$299 base with a 2 year contract on their $39 or $49 capped plans.
And probably $499 or $599 with a prepaid plan
Yeah that makes sense. People don't pay lump sum for phones in Australia. It is likely to be something like $15/month over 24 months to pay for the phone, on top of their $39 or $49 cap plans. Since you buy iPhone to use the Internet, I wonder what's the data plan like with Vodafone and Optus?
Also there are differences in the Aust market and the US market.
The US still relies heavily on CDMA type systems - being developed there!!!. With large distances combined with existing the infastructure by many of the other carriers Apple will have to develop a CDMA version to really crack that market (too expensive to replace that infastructure). Maybe that's why they have moved from the revenue sharing model, so they can now work with other US carriers - which will also require the CDMA phone. AT&T are the biggest GSM provider, and they don't use 3G so again that's why its taken time for Apple to create the 3G phone
Also the US cellphone (mobile) charging system is different. You pay for calls out and calls in. That's what makes prepaid much harder there. Here as you run out of credit, you can prank call a relative etc, and they can call you back. There that doesn't work as the call back also eats your credit.
So what does this all mean. The US "pricing" bundle is from 1 carrier. Here in Australia there are two carriers and there will be some competition, so using the US price can only be a guide. Also as the retail model is different from Apple's traditional dealer network, this will also have some play on the pricing, which probably has been negotiated at the corporate level rather than the country level. This probably means Apple Australia gets no real ability to influence the revenue to it's benefit from the deal.
With the Mac it can "manage' prices to get the maximum revenue - and that gives local executives bonuses. i doubt if there is much benefit to Apple Australia other that being given a revenue allocation for any support required. (thats ignoring the flow on benefit if it generates more mac sales)
If any one look at the Engadget website, there is a comment says:
the 8gb one will cost around $499 US to get.
What they do is buy the iPhone 8gb for $199 USDthen unlock from AT&T for $40USD.
then close the 24month contract with $250 USD penaltysomething. so it is a $499 US to get a 8gb iphone 3g with 2 year warranty. To OZ s… it seems will be $699-799 AUD….awww man
cow dang! guess the iphone and i just wasn't ment to be :(
the say if u really love somthing, let it free, if it doesn't come back, it was never meant to be. But if it comes back, it's yours forever! hahaha :P
not really - if you do use a phone here you will still need a service, so it may just be simpler to get one here with a plan. By buying a US one you are paying out the plan but not getting any call benefit. Now prior to them being available here taht was the only way. Now they are coming here, its probably the best way to buy.
agree, i'm just hoping the plans here will have some that are $30-40 dollars a month (possibly cap ones)… with very cheap phone repayments over 1 or 2 years(ie. $10-20)… if you look at some other site, in the UK, the O2 network there have released their iphone3G plans, and it is what i expected (nothing less, nothing more)… ie they do not rip off customers just because it is a highly demanded phone, yet they aren't cutting prices either (or else everyone including your cat and dog would have an iphone3G).
ozpete, you said you needed a service to use the phone… if you somehow found yourself a bargain on ebay or something on an off-contract iphone3G couldn't you put in a prepaid USIM card? (from 3, vodafone, optus or virgin?) that's what ive always done with my prev. phones, as i couldn't commit myself to cap plans since i only use SMS basically…
@krantz: I think we agree, I meant buying one OS still means you need a service (post or prepay). Sometimes plans are better than prepaid, if the phone cost is calculated in.
So until we know the costs of the iphone with a plan here, we can't work out the best way to buy. Its all speculation.
As previously the ONLY way to get an iphone was to buy it overseas and cancel the contract, but now it's in Oz I would doubt if this would be the best way to buy, Optus and Vodafone would factor in the grey market with their pricing.
All that said, Its only 4 weeks away before we know the true pricing (if it's not leaked beforehand). then we'll know who here guesses correctly.
count me in if the price is good, but seriosly doubt we be getting a fair deal in Aus cant think of many items that are cheaper or at least euqal to prices in the states.
when will they relaise the price ?
Above post: The price will probably be released on the official date ~July 11… if you're lucky you may see it earlier…
I am really surprised Hutchison Three (3) hasn't come into the foray…
I'm sort of glad telstra didn't get it though, or else I would seriously think of moving overseas.. haha i kid!
but yeah, it would be such an awesome thing, if they just make the iPhone3G about the same prices all over the world… but that's wishful thinking… the companies will just make up the difference with higher cap plans… just like everyother cool phone released in australia… so it's nothing too different, except the iPhone is just going to obliterate the competition either way (unless the plans were ridiculously priced).however, let's think of this: if the iphone was sold in US for $199… and the US buyer has to enter a contract… if they purposely break the contract (about a $200 fee).. which essentially pays for the subsidy apple gave… you can have a free (off-contract) iphone can't you? and possibly bring it to OZ put in a prepaid USIM from Hutchison 3, Optus or Vodafone?!
or will the phone be locked do you think to the specific carrier (ie. will have to wait till someone jailbreaks it..again!)and also, i know from personal exp. that hutchison 3 won't allow real internet with prepaid USIM… is it the same story for prepaid in other networks that have 3G USIM capability? it would be a little less useful if i put a Hutchison 3 USIM and can't get internet on iPhone3G.
I think i'm gonna wait it out for a few months… maybe get one by christmas… i still am infatuated with my ipod touch!
Thanks!
Yeah I would like to find out about the data plans of all carriers as well. It would be a waste to have a 480x320 screen + Safari on your palm, yet you can only dial numbers…
any chance it will have bluetooth or a bluetooth add-on ?
the iphone3G will have bluetooth built-in.
(as did the original iphone, but something that was severely lacking in the ipod touch…)
although in all reality, it wouldn't have been useful in the ipod…
but hey… going off a tangent… who seriously thought that the ipod touch could sync wirelessly..ie. transfer music across (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) with your network?!? i thought that was a given… like the Zune was able to do! i dunno why apple did do that!one thing to note though, the Bluetooth in the iPhone3G will be most likely like its predecessor, without the AD2P support (for bluetooth streaming of high quality stereo output through wireless headphones..like the sony bluetooth mp3 players)
Yes I think Bluetooth in iPhone will be severely crippled. I NEED Bluetooth keyboard support as I sometimes need to work on my phone/PDA. Tried to edit a text file in vi over ssh on a PDA phone without a keyboard? Ouch.
For instance, the first 8 GB iPhone cost $399, with the cheapest $59.99 per month service adding up to $1439.76 over a 24 month period, bringing the total cost of ownership to $1838.76.
The new 8 GB iPhone 3G costs $199. AT&T's entry-level voice plan at $39.99, $5 SMS upgrade and $30 unlimited 3G data plan bring the monthly service to at least $74.99, or $1799.76 over the course of the contract. That elevates the iPhone 3G's TCO to $1998.76. Over the two years period you'll pay $160 more, even with the 50% price cut.
HAHAHA Sooooooo many people r gonna be sooooooooo peed of at apple!
i'd say average users still think the phone wil cost only $199 :P
So in reality here, the trend in predictions follow this…..
Anti Apple - You will be unpleasantly surprised
Pro Apple - You will be pleasantly surprised
My guess - some will be upset, some not and the iphone will grab market share, but there will still be Blackberry's Nokia's Sony's etc out there, Optus and Vodafone are smart players, they want to sell phones and services, but if it suited everyone, they have priced it too low…..
So we had just better wait until July 11th :)
This is from today paper (second page inside):
"This year's hottest gadget Apple iPhone is likely to retail for less than $250"
and
"It is likely contract based iphone plans, beginning with a $49 cap and additional data plans of between $5 - $15"
so it is confirmed now.
From here:
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23863994…Nothing is confirmed. The fare quoted is highly speculative and not officially stated by Optus and Vodafone. So guys, we just have to wait.
As Zack has said, nothing is confirmed. However if it is true (and allow $250 phone cost to be spread across the contract like $20/month), then I'll see it taking a big chunk of Nokia/SE/HTC/Blackberry's marketshare.
Telstra - yes Telstra - the late runner in the iphone stakes has announced prices for the iphone
The new 8GB iPhone will be available with Telstra for $279 upfront on a two-year contract at $30 per month, or for free on the carrier's $80 per month plan.
The 16GB model will be available for $399 on a $30 per month contract or included for free with a $100 per month contract.
Neosin - I hope this hasn't disappointed you too much!! LOL
Not bad. Not bad at all! $30 also includes $5 of data — which will give you whooping 2.5MB of download on Telstra's NextG network! By the way, is there a link to the pricing?
Now Telstra has let the cat out of cage, let's see whether other carriers can beat the price.
The deal is actually quite good, but Telstra has made no mention if the iPhones they sell will be locked to Telstra. I don't really know what Telstra's policy is at unlocking post-paid phones, but I know you'd have to go through hoops to get them to unlock a pre-paid phone.
Remember we still do not know what is included in the Telstra iPhone plan. I suspect the $30 plan does not include data plan, just like AT&T in the US. The $30 is credits for calls/text. I believe we may be paying as much as $30 more for data usage (as what AT&T will be charging in US).
So $30+30=$60 which is still not bad, but I hope the plan is a cap plan, not a regular plan. A big plus is the free Telstra Wifi.
According to Telstra.com, their $30 plan (which is not capped) includes:
- $25 included voice/SMS
- $5 included data (GPRS/3G)
- 46c/30 sec voice call rate
- 27c flag fall
Not exactly cheap (as expected from Telstra). Data is also charged at $2/MB so $5 included data will be consumed in no time.
So far I am hoping Three can get the rights to sell iPhone as its data plan makes much more sense to me.
$2 per MB is ridiculous! Scotty, can you link where in Telstra website the breakdown of the $30 is? Thank you.
Sorry it is a bit difficult to link to. Basically you go to Telstra's website and click on "Search Plans", then select
- Personal Purchase
- New Service
- Next G/3G
- Plan Plan
- Mobile Plan
- $30
It then shows the break down. I can't seem to find the data charge cost but last time I checked it was $2/MB for the Mobile Plan.
Optus has just released the pricing. I reckon the $59 caps with $7 monthly phone installment is quite good.
http://optusevents2008.optin.com.au/a?2d6718821-19408403.00g…
As per http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/23890 AT&T said, no-contract (means unlocked),
AT&T also says that a "no-commitment" (read: no contract) iPhone 3G will be available soon, at $599 for the 8GB version and or $699 for the 16GB handset. Pricey, but hey-no two-year contract.So price here must be higher then this.
Edit: Just noticed, optus prepaid phones from 729$ for 8gb and 849$ for 16gb (add 80$ unlocking).
If you want no contract with Optus, its $729 for 8GB or $849 for 16GB. Just add 80 dollars for the unlocking fee. So there you go, almost the same as the US price.
Zack you are pretty well right $599 = 644 at a realistic exchange rate of .93 (after bank commission fees etc) with 10% for GST thats $A709 vs $729. (Bear in mind US purchasers have State and local tax to pay depending on their residential status.
But really a plan is the way to go
I wont think of iphone for now (2M camera, no MMS, no usable software for GPS) when similar spec N95 8GB (750$ unlocked) is superior in all this and more matured.
@mawinmawin: I guess those who want iPhone does not really bother with the lack of features that usually come with mobile phones. After all, iPhone is really an iPod with mobile internet and phone functionality. Other stuff that iPhone can do in contrast to regular mobile phones are what makes it really worth it.
Anyone have an understanding of what Voda are offering??
ok slacko's I found it myself lol
try here
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/07/vodafone_puts_iphone_prici…
Well has anyone got their iPhone yet & if so - how is it?
yes I managed to get a hold of the 16gb white iPhone with Optus. So far really loving it! As predicted, the applications in the apps store are really amazing esp. the games. The only gripe is getting use to the touch screen keyboard, which can be quite frustrated when you're really used to the normal phone buttons. Overall it was worth my wait.
so now that you can ozbargain on the train, we expect more postings …..
well dont over spend on browsing the internet.
Some comments from earlier thread, about the iPhone pricing & the Optus iPhone website:
alexwangsa: I am a bit worry about this site (www.optusiphone.com.au). Is it legit ? The site says that it is a secure site, but my browser padlock tells me it is NOT a secure site.
jong: It’s legit, I was brought to the page off a link on the Optus site.
I’d like more details before I put up $100 though.
scotty: That domain is also not registered by Optus but by a private company. Optus could be using an external contractor to do the campaigns for them but it does sound “fishy” in my book…
jong: If you go to the Apple link that
Binaryactions posted …it links off to the Optus iPhone site. So if it’s fake, they’ve fooled Apple as well.
John: The domain is published on the news.com.au -
see…
elcheapo: This is what puzzled me.
US$ is now very similar with AUS$ and from what I heard, the US$199 8GB and US$299 16GB will be about 20-30% more expensive here than US Stores.
Plus, you also locked in into contracts with many many hidden fees which push the prices unbearable.
scotty: Exactly. If it is $210-$220 AUD for a 8GB iPhone 3G with GPS, HSPA and Wifi, I’ll grab one in a heart beat even with 24 month contract with Optus or Vodafone. However I highly doubt so…
As of the “deal” itself, it is only asking you for $50 or $100 deposit (depending on whether you are an existing Optus user), but it DOES NOT say how much it is going to cost, as it expects Apple fanboys to buy them anyway regardless what the price tag will be. What happen if you turn up on the day, and is greeted with “iPhone 3G 8GB? $500 with a $70/month contract for 24 months!”
It’s just a waste of time IMHO. Please give us the actual price tag!
PhoenixXx: Couldn’t be bothered atm. Wait till they release the ‘terms & conditions’.
jong: What an awesome marketing ploy - commit yourself psychologically to buying the thing with a $100 deposit, even though you don’t know the price, and then they can charge you what they like when the time comes. It’s like how electrical stores sell you the extended warranty after you’ve agreed to buy the item; once you made that commitment, it’s harder to say no.
ozpete: If you are an Optus customer you only put down $50 and via the website, whereas if you are not an Optus customer you put down $100 via the yesiphone.com.au website
But even though personally I am interested (Applefanboy) and I thank binaryactions for the post, it is really an info piece not a “Bargain” as we define here.
The only negative I see here is that if they say get 20,000 pre-sign up, then the marketing boys can set a price higher than if they have no idea of what the demand is. So apart from having to get one when they come out, as a bargain hunter I guess I’ll wait until the rush dies down and we see what competitive pressures come to bear.
If these units are not going to be locked as inferred by Stevie in his announcements (No residual income off the service providers), then you maybe able to buy the phone elsewhere and use it here on any network, or at least on O and V without a contract.
foxpro: According to BBC News today Apple announced new Iphone prices from 11/07/2008 on. 8GB for US$199, 16GB for US$299.
BBC News Article
Stix: Although our dollar is about even with the Yanks at the moment, don’t expect similar prices here.