Latest Announcement by Vodafone
Your wait is about to end! iPhone 3G arrives on Aug 22. 8GB Model is for Rs 31800 and 16GB Model is for Rs 36100. To get your iPhone before others, visit one of the select Vodafone Stores & confirm your booking by paying Rs 10000 on August 20th or 21st. You will get an Appointment to collect the iPhone after paying the balance amount. For a list of the select stores visit www.vodafone.in/iPhone
The much awaited Apple I-Phone 3G is due to be launched in the market by Vodafone and Bharti Airtel from the 22nd of August. There have been many rumors on the price tag that will be attached with the two models – 8 GB and 16 GB. The US prices for the two models are at $199 and $299 respectively. This slash in the price (from $299 and $499) has been effective since July 12th, 2008.
The Apple iPhone in India will cost around Rs 28,000. India is going to get the 8GB version of the iPhone. Based on the user response, Apple may introduce the 16GB version in India by late 2009. Full blown 3G (Third Generation Mobile Telephony) services in India will be available only by 2009 in India making it twice as fast as the existing mobile phones.
The in-built GPS system which would provide navigation and positioning capabilities and the ability to add third party applications would be an added Attraction, especially in India where GPS enabled and Third Party Application supporting Mobile Phones are not so common.
Bharti Airtel CEO Manoj Kohli told TOI that the price of the handset might not be subsidized in India. “US operators are able to subsidies handsets because they can make up for that with their call charges. They charge rates like 25 cents a minute. In India, the charge is 1.5 to 2 cents a minute,” Kohli said.
It will be interesting to wait and see how the iPhone with its expensive price tags will fare in the Indian market.
Vodafone to bring iPhone to India
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo_wgW5BnSo
My guess would be the above mentioned price tag will only lead to more influx of unlocked iPhone from the United States (available at $500, that translates to Rs 21,500 approx; still lower than Rs 28,000). Apple and the distributors will also have to worry about the phone being made available for cheaper rates in the grey market.
I guess I will have to drop my plans of an I-Phone if it’s sold at 28k!
How to Book your Iphone in India?
If you don’t wish to wait until the Official Launch Date i.e. August 22nd, you may visit http://www.iphonenirvana.net/ to pick up an unlocked iphone now which works on any GSM Network in India.
Use the Vodafone iPhone Pre-registration Form to book your Vodafone iPhone. You could also book an Apple iPhone through Vodafone by sending an sms – IPHONE to 56789. They would keep you updated with the latest price, features and availability in due course.
Use the Bharati iPhone Booking URL to book your Airtel iPhone. You could also book an Apple iPhone through Airtel by sending an sms – IPHONE to 54321. They would keep you updated about the phone.
Read more about the Features of iPhone Here
Also check out the Apple iPhone 3G Gallery
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe much awaited Apple I-Phone 3G is due to be launched in the market by Vodafone and Bharti Airtel from the 22nd of August. There have been many rumors on the price tag that will be attached with the two models – 8 GB and 16 GB. … [...]
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe much awaited Apple I-Phone 3G is due to be launched in the market by Vodafone and Bharti Airtel from the 22nd of August. There have been many rumors on the price tag that will be attached with the two models – 8 GB and 16 GB. … [...]
it is good phone but costly in the indian market.i had planned to purchase this handset but price is so high…………..
@Anton: I am sure no one would buy the iPhone in India at least for its price tag is over 30k. Its not worth the price. Its better off to buy an iPhone from US and get it unlocked in India though it is actually not legal and you would not get any kind of apple support for that. Check out the Chinese HiPhones if you don’t mind an iPhone clone for 1/3 the real iPhone Price
http://www.iwebie.com/cect-hiphone-china-iphone-clones
Hi all
There is a myth in the market place on low pricing of the product (reference price point being Rs. 8000 or Rs.12000/- which refers to AT&T pricing of USD 199 or USD 299).
The reports don’t factor the commitment which a customers needs to give for a particular Price Plan for a period of 24 Months in the case of AT&T. For O2 the commitment is for 18 months with selected plans.
But, if we calculate other cost like montly rental for voice, i.e., 69.99 (USD), the total cost of ownership for the period of 24 months for a 8 GB model comes around Rs.81000/-! The total cost of ownership for O2 is around Rs.200000/- over a period of 18 months.
In first look it looks high, but in long term, it is still cheaper in India. So, don’t stop urself from buying this lovely gadget…
Hitesh
Hi all
So, finally comapny understood mindset and problem of common man of not want to spend such a big amount of Rs. 31000/36000 to buy an iphone and made it available through EMI with tying up with few banks. I saw this info on iphone section of airtel site (http://www.airtel.in/iphone3g)
Rajesh
@Rajesh: Thanks Rajesh. Just checked out the EMI Options and the banks they have tied up with i.e. ICICI, HDFC & SBI. All this is good but the final price is still unattractive for most of us.
The Apple rumor mill is once again running overtime on the topic of netbooks. If you believe the reports, Steve Jobs is himself leading the charge. My take: Whatever Apple does, it won?t be a netbook in the usual sense, I also bet that Apple, if it does anything, will itself avoid using the n-word to describe it.
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