iPhone 3G starting at $700 in India, lines to be nonexistent
Though we can't definitively say this will end up being the priciest iPhone 3G this side of eBay, there's a good chance it will be. Word has it that Vodafone will be offering up Apple's latest 8GB handset for a mind-boggling Rs 31,000 ($712), or Rs 36,100 ($830) for the 16 gigger. Why so [Via Cellpassion]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Roger Alford @ Aug 20th 2008 1:46AM
I knew that Voda loved to alienate its customer base- look at Verizon and its high price for what.... But THIS - THIS is INSANE...
I hope this comes WITHOUT a contract, AND is UNLOCKED, for this price!
Preshit @ Aug 20th 2008 2:06AM
Although Vodafone executives do *recommend* that you purchase a plan along with the purchase of the iPhone, it is not necessary that you do. You can choose to continue using your existing plan along with the iPhone, even if you're on a Prepaid connection.
But it is required that you are using their services, this is NOT unlocked, but definitely without a contract.
macfanboy @ Aug 23rd 2008 10:00AM
uhhh...but the monthly fee is dirt cheap..or so I've heard.
Naren Hazareesingh @ Aug 20th 2008 1:47AM
Let's put a smile on that face...
of the carriers, that is.
Shak @ Aug 20th 2008 2:01AM
Guess I'll be taking an iPhone with me to India next summer ;)
maverick @ Aug 20th 2008 5:16AM
this is gross!!
already the services or vodafone are crap and now with this price they want to increase their market share. Give us a break from your steal-from-your-pocket plans.
Kumar @ Aug 20th 2008 9:02AM
People (as in upper-middle class) normally pay about 25,000 INR for a phone, so another 10,000 won't hurt.
Nestor C. @ Aug 20th 2008 9:43AM
Here in Chile, Movistar (one of the two carriers that will sell it) just announced how much is it going to cost: starting at app. USD 320, only the 16 GB version will be sold, with the cheapest plan being USD 72 a month in a 18-month contract. If you pay for the cheapest plan you'll have to pay more for the phone though.
SK @ Aug 20th 2008 10:46AM
I had pre-booked an iPhone with Airtel and this news came as a big disappointment. Guess I'll look elsewhere now. Having to pay so much & still being locked to the carrier is just too much.
And, India is yet to get 3G (it's supposed to be launched this year-end or early next year I believe).
xxtntxx @ Aug 20th 2008 12:39PM
"Why so serious? " LOL!!
xxtntxx @ Aug 20th 2008 12:39PM
"Why so serious?" LOL!!
Salil @ Aug 20th 2008 1:05PM
The pricing is quite similar to the pricing here in Italy offered from Vodafone and Telecom Italia who are selling the phones here without a contract at 499 Euros($740) for the 8gb and 569 Euros($840) for the 16gb version.
Cellular phones here in Italy are always considerably more expensive than anywhere else in Europe, or the rest of the world, but this price for a market like India, which still doesn't have a 3G network is just insane.
PEZ @ Aug 21st 2008 8:07AM
On another note - that 2.0.2 upgrade sucks worse than the 2.0.1.. what the hell apple?
Back to tmobile for me.
relton @ Aug 21st 2008 9:16AM
Indian 3G won;t be coming until 2010, if the GSm carriers continue like this. They want to build their GSM customer base to the max and then think of 3g. The 3g bandwidth or frequency is just starting this year let alone building of new 3G towers. This might take 2+ years to be implemented. Wake up Airtel, Vodafone.
Lancelot @ Aug 23rd 2008 7:07PM
With the world economy being on a general downturn I hope people exhibit some common sense & refuse to pay such high prices for this phone. After having 3G reception problems, minor case cracks & application lags that drove me crazy I took
my iphone back. After my experience I feel sorry for anyone who pays the prices I've seen reported here. Plus, you've still got a phone that doesn't support copy/paste functions or MMS..
Niksta @ Aug 24th 2008 12:50AM
Completely agree... I had the original iPhone, and then upgraded to the iPhone 3g - sold my original iPhone for $500, and my 3g for $850 and I'm now back to BlackBerry... God bless the curve... iPhone: form, Blackberry: function.
user6300 @ Aug 24th 2008 4:01AM
The fact is that, iPhone is the FIRST and ONLY "New Generation" phone without a MMS or a CopyPaste or Video Calling.
The irony is in India, poor guys, they don't even have 3G Network on ANY of the carriers. Yet Apple is marketting it's 3G features.
Apple iPhone cant even be used as a phone-modem or bluetooth modem.
It's such a hyped device.
Apple, should market this phone in India as "twice the speed half the price" hahahaha or should it be "4 times the price 1/4 in functionality" lol LMAO.....