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THE new version of the iPhone unveiled by Apple boss Steve Jobs on Monday will be on sale here this year and probably at around half the price of the original.
This will please Singapore buyers who have not been able to buy the original iPhone from an official dealer here since its launch a year ago.
As fancy mobile phones go, the Apple device proved an instant hit despite its US$600 (S$820) price tag last year because of its sleek design, revolutionary touch screen and nifty Internet and e-mail access.
Aside from being considerably cheaper, the new 3G model will enable users to download data twice as fast as the original.
SingTel announced yesterday that it will be the first to launch the new version here.
But when? The telco would only say: 'Later this year.'
StarHub spokesman Michael Sim said the telco expects to sell the phone eventually while MobileOne is in talks with Apple.
This means Singapore buyers are nowhere near the front of the queue as the new phone will be available in 22 markets, including the United States, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico, from July 11.
Analyst Nathan Burley of consulting firm Ovum expects it here not long after, and said the delay is probably because of Singapore's small size.
SingTel did not say anything about the price, but Mr Burley believes it will go for near its US price of US$199 - $270 - after operator discounts.
Mobile phones are usually sold at a discount, but subscribers must sign two-year contracts to get the subsidy.
The original iPhone never had an official seller here, but an estimated 60,000 iPhones still arrived. Some people imported them, others bought them on the grey market for up to S$800 apiece.
They were not brought in by mobile operators reportedly because Apple demanded a cut of revenues in exchange for the right to sell.
But it has scrapped this demand for the new version, opening the way for more than one seller here.
The new phone's price, half that of the original, reflects Apple's desire to increase its mass market appeal, said Mr Burley.
It may be harder to sell, not least because there are many more similar-looking devices with similar features today than when the original iPhone burst on the scene last year.
'Since the new one doesn't look very different, those who want it to make a fashion statement might not be interested in upgrading,' said Mr Burley.
Even the iPhone 3G's sharply discounted price could work against it, especially as a large part of its appeal was that it was an expensive, hard-to-get premium product.
A wait-and-see approach might be best. As StarHub's Mr Sim put it: 'Smart consumers will know that the best deals will arrive when all three operators are marketing the iPhone.'
chuahh@sph.com.sg
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