iPhone Launched in India, via Vodafone, airtel.

[Star Scream]

Hi Guys I am new member to Team BHP. I have some one working for Airtel very close to me . Iphone will come at cost of Approx 27k as the company has to take care of the service part also. even the ones which are going to be imported or bought by you from the grey market is gonna come at a cost because the I Phone can be bought along with the plan and there are plans which range upto 650$. So its not gonna come cheap. Its gonna be for a Niche market. Basically both Voda and Airtel dont want everyone to hold an Iphone and rather used by top level customers only

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by Star Scream

Iphone will come at cost of Approx 27k as the company has to take care of the service part also.

So its not gonna come cheap. Its gonna be for a Niche market. Basically both Voda and Airtel dont want everyone to hold an Iphone and rather used by top level customers only

I also have the same feeling, and yes the legal purchase of phones abroad are close to 40-50 grand. ie unlocked and without any contract. So it would be cheaper to buy in India, provided you are ready to take the tab of higher monthly bills/plans.

At the end of the day, 199$ for iPhone is one of the best oxymoron of recent times!

[srijit]

Jaggu, the countries that give the 8Gb phone at around $199 all have higher monthly rates and higher call cost per minute than India. India is among the cheapest for mobile phone minutes.
So it makes sense that the phone will be about 20-30K, which brings in a little exclusivity.
8K for a phone is affordable by all, but not 20K

Are you getting your Apple unlocked phone from the US?

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by srijit

So it makes sense that the phone will be about 20-30K, which brings in a little exclusivity.

You are expecting exclusivity by owning an iPhone? Soon, every tom, dick and harry and their relatives will have it.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by srijit

Are you getting your Apple unlocked phone from the US?

Nope, US there are no provision to purchase a legally unlocked iPhone. Mine would be from Europe ie if everything works out fine on stock front. As i mentioned i should come to know if my expensive wish will work out in a week or so :P

Originally Posted by Samurai

You are expecting exclusivity by owning an iPhone? Soon, every tom, dick and harry and their relatives will have it.

Yes if its launched close to 20k, if above 25-30 i dont think Indian public will go grab it that fast.

[srijit]

Originally Posted by Samurai

You are expecting exclusivity by owning an iPhone?

No I dont expect exclusivity. These things will most probably become like iPods in the US. Everyone will have one. I like mine and I am not bothered that I am not unique

[normally_crazy]

The 3G iPhone with Vodafone is being launched on August 18 - according to tech2.com

Is this correct ?

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

The 3G iPhone with Vodafone is being launched on August 18 - according to tech2.com

Is this correct ?

Highly unlikely since the earliest launch that iPhone will see internationally (read as any new country) will be Aug 21, according to more reliable apple rumor's

[icar]

Airtel to launch 3G iPhone on Aug 22

Apple's iPhone, the touch screen handset that acquired a cult status in the US and other western countries, will be available to Indian mobile users through Bharti Airtel at the stroke of midnight on August 21, giving competitors like Nokia, Samsung and others a run for their money.

Millions of Airtel subscribers will be able to purchase the iPhone at Airtel's Relationship Centres from August 22, a company statement said in New Delhi.

"iPhone has been an iconic technological revelation of this year and Airtel has been at the forefront of innovation and customer delight in the Indian telecom sector," Sanjay Kapoor, President, Bharti Airtel mobile services, said.

iPhone is embedded with all 3G features and is twice as fast as the existing mobile phones. The phone also has in-built GPS system, that facilitates as a navigation and positioning tool.

US-based Apple has tied up with Airtel and Vodafone to bring iPhone in the country.

Asked at what price it will be available, Bharti Airtel officials declined to give details.

"Introducing iPhone in India further underscores Bharti's commitment to enrich the communication experience of Airtel users," Kapoor said.

Leading cell phone makers like Nokia, Motorola and Samsung have stepped up their R&D efforts to bring feature rich phones in India to compete iPhones.

Vodafone is also slated to bring Apples's iPhone this year.

Airtel to launch 3G iPhone on Aug 22 - The Financial Express

[maxj2005]

After reading all this I feel that it was good that I bought the version 1 Iphone and cracked it.I have the 16 gb iphone which I had bought in Feburary for about 425$ .

I have the crack for version 2 also if someone needs it .

Buying the data plan for 29.99$ is worthless.No point paying 480$ extra for a year.
I believe airtel will do something similar by selling the 3G data plan for like 1000 bucks per month.I am still not clear how the GPS will turn out to be in India.
Here it works perfect.
There are rumours of Iphone shuffle and Iphone Nano being launched in December which should be super cool.

Here are some pics

[diabloo]

Airtel, Vodafone to launch iPhone on Aug 22

[iraghava]

Baaahhhh....too late! I already have a 3G iPhone with me! Brother got it, all black!

[khanak]

Originally Posted by iraghava

Baaahhhh....too late! I already have a 3G iPhone with me! Brother got it, all black!

Did you manage to get it unlocked?

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by maxj2005

There are rumours of Iphone shuffle and Iphone Nano being launched in December which should be super cool.

Is there any copyright or royalty in these names? Nano, suffle? iPod, and now iPhone!!! Wondering how Tata got this name - TATA NANO

[muralisk]

In fact, both Airtel & Vodafone are launching iPhone on August 22, 08. Check this ... Business-Standard :: Airtel, Vodafone to launch iPhone in India on Aug 22.