As quoted on apple.com, "iPhone 3G had a stunning opening weekend," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. Perhaps conceding that the original was handicapped by the omission of a UMTS (aka 3G) modem, the new model is a complete re-launch of the iPhone. (3G allows internet access over the mobile phone network at much higher speeds than before). Distribution is carefully controlled through specific carrier agreements so buying one cheaply depends on the customer's location. Of course, getting one at all in the current buying frenzy depends also on availability and luck.
As with the original iPhone, the 3G version has been launched in 6 key territories - USA, UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Austria. However, Apple have extended their deals with airtime providers to add a further 16 countries including Japan, India, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Pricing has drawn some criticism, largely from early adopters who paid more for the old 2G version less than a year ago.
Airtime Deals - The Mobile Phone Lottery
The basic price for the new model is quoted by Apple US as USD$199. The actual price you pay depends on the airtime deal with your mobile network and, of course, where you live. Mobile marketing and pricing varies dramatically between countries - this is very much a feature of mobile communications and predates the Apple iPhone debut in 2007.
A quick scan of typical deals for an 8GB iPhone 3G in the main territories - converted to their equivalent rates in Euros - demonstrates the range :
Country Carrier Purchase + Free Monthly Contract
Connection Fee Monthly Fee Minutes / SMS Commitment
Australia Optus € 276.75 € 11.53 15 / 0 24 months
Austria T-Mobile € 99.00 € 45.00 1000 / 1000 24 months
France Orange € 149.00 € 49.00 240 / 50 24 months
Ireland O2 € 99.00 € 65.00 350 / 150 18 months
Japan Softbank € 137.18 € 5.72 unl / 0 24 months
Switzerland Swisscom € 153.16 € 15.38 0 / 0 24 months
UK O2 Free € 57.15 1200 / 500 18 months
USA AT&T € 153.64 € 25.63 450 / 0 24 months
Deals for key markets such as India - which has no 3G capability for the iPhone - and other Far Eastern territories should be announced in the coming weeks. The figures show a considerable spread but this reflects more the maturity of the cellular market in the individual countries than the effect of the iPhone 3G launch per se.
Given the iPhone network, browser and email technology brings an enhanced online capability then package deals often contain an element of mobile data. This can range from free-and-included browsing such as in the UK with Telefonica's O2 brand to € 35 per month for unlimited data from Japan's Softbank network. Of course, the phones are normally locked to the original network from which they were purchased. This will spawn the inevitable back-room unlocking services so users can then insert their existing network SIMs into the new phone.
iPhone's popularity cannot be disputed and a brief trawl of the internet will yield thousands of results on the device, its features and even its detractors. Opinions are wide but even Apple's most ardent enemies would concede that it represents a leap in mobile usability. As a catalyst for competition on function, form and price, the iPhone is immensely influential.
