Just got an email from Vodafone India mentioning the official price of iPhone 3G in India.
“We are delighted to announce that the iPhone 3G will be available in India from August 22, 2008. It will be available in 8GB & 16GB models, priced at Rs 31,000 ($710) and Rs 36,100 ($820) respectively. ”
And this is just the cost of Apple hardware - you will have to pay extra for data and voice plans. Airtel will also introduce iPhone on the same date but I don’t think if an iPhone 3G is worth that kind of money.
Here’s the full text of the email in case you are interested in buying the iPhone from Vodafone:
Be the first to get the iPhone - We have received a large number of registrations. As there are limited stocks, make sure that you get yours first, by paying an advance of Rs 10,000 to confirm your booking.
Where can you make this advance payment? - The iPhone 3G will be available at select Vodafone Stores. All you need to do is drop in at any select Vodafone Store between August 20 and 21 and make the advance payment by cash or credit card.
Don’t forget to show the iPhone booking SMS, which you would have received from us, when you visit the Vodafone Store to pay the advance. To find a Vodafone Store near you, click here.
Get an appointment now. No queues for you. - Once you pay the advance, we will immediately give you an appointment date and time, starting August 22 when you can come and experience a full demonstration and collect your iPhone, all ready to use with your contacts and settings, by paying the balance amount.
Hurry! Limited stocks. - Remember, the sooner you confirm your booking, the earlier you´ll get your iPhone. We have limited stocks and it will be on first come, first serve basis.
Buy a Vodafone connection now! - As you are not a Vodafone customer, you will need a Vodafone connection for your iPhone 3G.
We recommend that when you come to confirm your booking, please do get yourself a Vodafone connection too. Remember to carry a passport sized picture, photo ID proof and address proof as these are required for activating your Vodafone SIM card.
Happy to help - If you have any queries, log on to vodafone.in/iphone or call us on 9719097190 and we´ll be happy to help.
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/gadgets/vodafone-india-iphone-3g-price/4267/
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Greate news.But I had heard about issues with iPhone 3G signal and reception(dropped calls and choppy Web connections).Is it correct?
Written by Ceflog on 08.19.08
$199 in US…..and $710 in India …..
Written by sumit on 08.19.08
It is too costly. I can buy decent laptop at the same cost. Also cost of HTC touch is almost half the price of the iPhone which is good choice for smart phone.
Lets see how it goes. Am not too optimistic about its success in India now.
Written by Ketan Khairnar on 08.19.08
I would say BAD Strategic Planning from Vodafone management. To trap the mass market like India they have to be strategically wise before making the price public.
Written by About Online Tips on 08.19.08
Yes,I’am also noticed the price difference.What happens if we buy it from us for $199.
Written by Ceflog on 08.19.08
That’s a steep price I’d say.
There goes Steve Jobs promise of ’same price everywhere in the world’.
What would be interesting to see now is the adoption rate, especially knowing that 3G isn’t even available in India as of now.
Written by Sasidhar on 08.19.08
Price is too high, I don’t think so that iPhone will get a huge success in India, I hope for the best for these 2 Gaint players…
Written by Sachin Gupta on 08.19.08
This is nonsense. Sure the people with no work and lots of cash would indulge in this, but for the smart professional Nokia’s product release and the cheaper HTC Phones are going to trump this market.
Apple, I had so much hope on you :-/.
Written by Karthick on 08.19.08
ust got a mail from Vodafone that 8gb costs 31,000 and 16gb costs 36,100 and available on 22nd august..Vodafone asks the customers to book iphone by paying an advance of 10,000 in vodafone store and take an appontment..the remaining amount should be paid on the appointment date..Whom the hell is they are thinking apple and vodafone..???? the same mdel and piece is released with 199US $ and now came to india it was 750 US$ .what they are thinking indians as foolS??
INDIANS CAN BUY ANYONE OF THE FOLLOWING LAPTOP,2 WHEELER, LCD TV…WITH THAT PRICE…
Written by srinu on 08.19.08
I still don’t believe the prices.. That’s ridiculously sky rocketing… I haven’t seen anything about the prices on vodafone/aritel websites… Time is the only answer…
Written by TheOnlyOne! on 08.19.08
why so for indians $199 in US & Rs. 31000. is it so hard for us to take it
Written by zameer on 08.20.08
see the vodafone website now.. its already official now…
Written by srinu on 08.20.08
The iPhone is such a high priced in India because it is not going to be network locked. In Europe and US iPhone is locked to a particular network and Apple can afford cheap prices as monthly rate plans for call and data are highly priced. iPhone 3G is coming as unlocked near Christmas and it is expected to be in range of £350 - £400.
Written by Vivek on 08.20.08
hello vivek who said it is not locked… its already given in vodafone site..did u dnt see that..if u r nt a vodafone customer u have to take vodafone num also..since it willnt work for other sim cards..see it sir… It is locked to vodafone and airtel…..
Written by srinu on 08.20.08
Just got mail from the Airtel also. Exactly same price from their side also. Damn its too costly. Though i am already having original Iphone 8GB. Phone is good but does not deserve that much high price. All the best to Iphone.
Written by Amit on 08.20.08
Yes one more thing Airtel is asking Rs 5000 in advance and Vodafone is asking for Rs 10000. But dose not matter ultimately its gonna cost at least 31000, it seems to me Airtel or Vodafone will not force for any plan as its already very costly. if it would be like 15000 or 20000 then they would tie any plan lets see picture will be clear on 22 August. not much time left
Written by Amit on 08.20.08
i guess vodafone has gone bonkers
india is the largest market for cellular phones………..
n this is wat they do…………..
iphone doesnt have sms forwarding n 3rd part bluetooth interface……..no auto focus …..n to top it all vodafone’s ‘excellent’ price……
lets see how many buy the phone ????????
i would rather buy an HTC diamond……………
vodafone has dissapointed us…………..:-(
Written by sahil on 08.20.08
this is sick just wait for a couple of months it will be available in 13k on palika bazar and gafar market or at nehru place
Written by shivam on 08.20.08
Actually, iPhones without a contract or PayAsYouGo (which is what it seems Vodafone is offering in India) are availabe in some countries for $599. This is the price that AT&T and other service networks pay Apple for each iPhone. The networks then amortize the difference ($599 - $199 = 400) over the life of the contract (2 years in the US or 3 years here in Canada).
Written by Ashok Mansukhani on 08.20.08
just to follow up…these iphones are locked but avaiable without a contract, which is what I believe is the standard in India, ie PayAsYouGo plans or PrePaid Plans
Written by Ashok Mansukhani on 08.20.08
There is no concept of locking phone in India like Germany where t mobile is selling unlocked phones.
Written by vivek on 08.20.08
the iphone have some disadvantage also, and also the price in india is more. but the touch feature is cool. Surfing is also fine, its a stylish phone.
Written by sanjay suryavanshi on 08.20.08
This is ridiculous price. Apple should look into the vodafone policy. Nokia and Sony Ericcson can take deep berth now. iphone will not make much impact with this kind of price. As it is Apple is not popular in India. This was a chance for them. Think about 1 billion consumer market.
Written by Rajat on 08.20.08
That price puts the Iphone in the same price bracket as the N96…..LOL N96 has wayyyy better features than the Iphone. Only the Iphones Touch Interface is a Plus point over the N96…guess Nokia domination over the Indian market will continue……….
Written by Anku on 08.21.08
What about the app store? Does it work with Indian iPhones, has it been customized with app rates in INR?
I don’t have an idea, somebody enlighten me.
Written by Shankar Ganesh on 08.21.08
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…
Rajesh
Written by Rajesh Gupta on 08.29.08
iphone pricing is a typical Reliance telecom strategy.Reliance initially launched their CDMA version at Rs.12000/- (including the handset).All who could afford , bought it.When the sale slowed down, they slashed their prices too.Thus, Reliance CDMA handsets were available at 12000,10000,8000,5000…and the same handset was sold for Rs.501 at one point in time.
All i would say is.. get off the “iphone booking” queue and leave way for the rich..
Chill out with your existing mobile for 4 or 5 months and the same iphone will come to you for Rs.15000 (for example)
Written by vinod on 09.05.08