iPhone 5 in Australia

The iPhone 5 (name yet to be confirmed) is sure to be released very soon in Australia. Following on from the improvements in the iPhone 4 in Australia the Australian iPhone 5 should be a masterpiece.

As the iPhone continues to evolve it undoubtedly becomes harder and harder for Apple to improve it but Apple seems to be up for the challenge!

What features do you want to see in the Australian iPhone 5? Will you buy it straight away?

Feel free to add a comment. Feel free to speculate.

Happy iPhone-ing!!

http://australian-iphone.blogspot.com

iPhone 4 in Australia

Despite initial reception issues, the iPhone 4 has been received very positively worldwide, Australia certainly not being an exception.

The iPhone 4 in Australia is available from Apple Retail Stores, the Apple Online Store and on both plans and prepaid services from all major telecommunications companies in Australia (including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, etc.). As the iPhone 4 has been released for quite some time there are also opportunities for Australians to purchase it new or used from eBay or other trading websites.

As a price guide – to ensure Australians looking for the wonder phone don't get ripped off – it's available outright on the Apple Online Store in Australia for $859 (16GB) and $999 (32GB) respectively. For those interested, the Australian iPhone 3GS (8GB) is also available directly from Apple in Australia for $719.

My advice for those keen on purchasing the iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 on a budget is to avoid buying it direct from Apple or on any prepaid services and grab a mid-range plan. These mid-range Australian iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 plans offer the best value (even when handset repayments are included).

The main features of the iPhone 4 in Australia include:

• Facetime
• Retina display
• Multitasking
• HD video recording and editing
• 5mp camera with LED flash
• iOS 4
• The addition of iMovie and iBooks

So for those wanting a great phone that live in Australia, the iPhone 4 is certainly a strong option.

Until next post,

Happy iPhone-ing!!

http://australian-iphone.blogspot.com\

When will Apple bring out a NEW iPhone?

The Apple iPhone 3G is getting old, the "new iPhone 3G" factor has well and truly gone away and I (like a lot of other people, I assume) am left constantly wondering when the heck Apple will release a new iPhone.

Although nobody has any idea when a new iPhone will be brought out (as Apple is very very secret), their are a few factors that suggest to me it could be sooner rather than later, perhaps even only a few months.

First of all, Apple knows that the only way to have a modern, refreshing and interesting brand (or in other words, the only way to make money) is to constantly bring out new products. Apple usually without exception brings out a new iPod or computer model every year; and it has been almost a year since the iPhone 3G was released (July 11). Apple certainly hasn't been doing nothing since then, infact I would not be at all surprised if they were in the final stages of producing a new iPhone at the moment (hopefully a perfect iPhone!!).

So, in summary, I've got a feeling that a new iPhone is just around the corner, but knowing Apple, anything is possible...

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If anyone has anything else to say about when they think the next Apple iPhone will be released feel free to comment.

Until next post,

http://australian-iphone.blogspot.com\

iPhone Australia Pricing Guide

This post is an updated version of the Australian iPhone 3G Pricing Details post.


Apart from some significant pricing changes, specifically with increased data allowances, Optus appears to be "phasing out" their prepaid iPhone packages. Customers are being told at stores that only "plan iPhones" are in stock (apparently plan and prepaid iPhones are different) and because of these stock problems the iPhone is "unavailable on prepaid at this time".

What makes me think that Optus is phasing their prepaid service out is that they have completely dropped all iPhone prepaid references from their website (although their prepaid options do have data allowances).

Complete pricing information for iPhone 3G (as of Late September 2008):

• Vodafone
• Telstra
• Optus
• Virgin

iPhone 3G for Business

The iPhone 3G has a number of features that should make it fantastic for business, but in reality the iPhone just doesn't top a blackberry or something similar.

The first reason why the iPhone isn't great for business is because the iPhone 3G's push email isn't nearly as good as what you get with a "proper business phone" (although it is a lot easier to use).

The second reason, is simply battery life. The iPhone 3G barely gets you through a day, as i mentioned in my previous Australian 3G article about iPhone battery life and for business users this just doesn't cut it. Other business phones last two-three times as long using almost the same features.

The third and final reason that i don't think the iPhone is a "proper business phone" is that it just looks too good. Anything dressed up with pretty colours like the iPhone just can't be a decent phone for business.

Sorry for the big delay in posts about the Australian iPhone. I know you are all very keen on getting the latest information, so stay tuned for my next post on the latest iPhone information in Australia!

iPhone 3G Battery Information

In the Short Term:

The battery in the iPhone 3G does not last as long as most would want, but there are some ways to extend the duration of use each charge gives you...

• Turn off push email and use the fetch tool instead, preferably only every hour (this will save heaps of battery).
• Turn off 3G when not needed (Settings>General >Network).
• Cut down your time watching videos (or listening to music).
• Reset iPhone every now and then. This will eliminate applications that have hung or are otherwise using battery.
• Turn down the LCD (Go to-Settings>Brightness)
• Turn Wi-Fi new network scanning off or Wi-Fi itself completely off.
• When playing games turn the vibrate function off (if you can) and avoid playing 3D games altogether.
• Avoid using GPS tracking excessively.
• Set the Autolock to less than 10 minutes (preferably only 1 minute). This will stop things happening when you forget to lock your iPhone and chuck it in your handbag or pocket.
• Turn off Bluetooth.
• Use Airplane Mode in low or no coverage areas.
• Turn off EQ when listening to music.

If you use a few of these tips you should be able to get at least 1-2 days of solid use out of your iPhone 3G.

In the Long Term

To ensure your battery lasts a few years ensure that (as Apple recommends) at least once per month you charge your iPhone to 100% and then completely run it down.

Replacing your iPhone 3G Battery

Your one-year warranty includes replacement for a defective battery. You can extend your coverage to two years from the date of buying your iPhone with the AppleCare Protection Plan. During the plan’s coverage time, Apple will replace the battery if it drops below 50% of its original capacity.

If your iPhone 3G is out of warranty, Apple offers a battery replacement for $79, plus $6.95 shipping, subject to local tax. Apple states on their website that they will "dispose of your battery in an environmentally friendly manner".

iPhone Has Changed The Australian Telecommunication Industry

The launch of the Apple iPhone 3G in Australia has changed our Telecommunication Industry for the better, forever and will only continue to do so in the future.

Who would have thought that one (albeit revolutionary) phone could change a multibillion-dollar industry so much. The iPhone has not only set a very high benchmark for the worldwide production of mobile phones but has dramatically changed the Australian Telecommunication Industry.

Changes Include:

• Immediate Lower Data Costs-The iPhone encourages data use like no other phone ever has before and this dramatic increase in demand for data has caused greater competition between telecommunications companies. This has led to a massive drop in data prices; mainly for specific iPhone plans but often also on plans for other 3G phones as well.
• More Investment in Projects-Due to the sheer demand for the iPhone 3G in Australia, telecommunication companies are starting projects and fast-tracking existing ventures to deliver faster mobile browsing speeds (mostly through 3G networks), to more people and places around the country.
• Lower Data Cost in the Future- Through this increased investment in projects telcos will be able to deliver data at a much cheaper price in the future compared to what the price would be if the iPhone didn't exist.

iPhone on Three Network

The Three Network in Australia does not currently (24/9/08) offer the iPhone 3G; however for some existing Three clients or people who have lots of friends on Three, it is the cheapest option for them. To get the iPhone 3G on the Three network in Australia you need to either wait for your plan to end, pay your way out of your plan or buy an iPhone on prepaid and pay an unlocking fee. The latter two are going to be pretty expensive but for some people who prefer/would benefit from the Australian Three Network it may seem worth it.

The Three network offers fairly competitive plans for those with iPhones because Three knows that they need to start grabbing some of the Australian iPhone market before it becomes too used to being restricted with Optus, Virgin, Telstra and Vodafone.

For those who used to be on Three but are now on another network because they wanted an iPhone or who are considering moving away from the Three Network to get an iPhone, it may be worth mentioning that Three may indeed in the future actually end up offering the iPhone; instead of just plans for existing iPhone owners.

Virgin iPhone 3G Australia

Virgin is offering the iPhone 3G on the following plans (as taken from website on 24/9/08). They no longer have the stock problems they used to have and you can order an iPhone online through the Virgin Australia website.



8GB iPhone 3G:

• Free to V Cap $70 Exclusive to iPhone 3G (No Handset Repayments)
  

Get $520 monthly credit with our FREE TO V 70 CAP plan, which includes national and international calls and text.

• Free to V Cap $100 Exclusive to iPhone 3G (No Handset Repayments)
  

Get $520 monthly credit with our FREE TO V 100 CAP plan, which includes national and international calls and text.

16GB iPhone 3G:

• Free to V Cap $70 Exclusive to iPhone 3G ($4 Monthly Handset Repayment)

Get $520 monthly credit with our FREE TO V 70 CAP plan, which includes national and international calls and text.

• Free to V Cap $100 Exclusive to iPhone 3G (No Handset Repayments)
  

Get $520 monthly credit with our FREE TO V 100 CAP plan, which includes national and international calls and text.

Optus iPhone 3G Pricing Options

1. 'yes' Timeless Plans (29/9/08)

Optus has recently released a new type of pricing option for the iPhone 3G; "Timeless Plans". The idea being that they offer unlimited standard voice calls to any network within Australia (local, national and GSM mobiles) and unlimited standard national text to any network. There are currently three Timeless Plans, the main difference between them being the included data value. I am unsure why Optus made the first plan cheaper than the second, because the first actually offers more data (weird, huh?).

The third plan is probably the best value because for $10-15 more, you get around 2GB of extra data, and if you read the fine print of the plans you get free voicemail retrieval (which unfairly costs extra in the first and second plans).

I am personally very happy that Optus has finally brought out a pricing option that offers real value; compared to some of it's other plans. Obviously to make a plan that offers timeless calls and free text Optus can't make it exactly cheap, so for those who simply can't spend enough each month to go on a Timeless Plan (even though they are great value) then Optus still offers lot's of other pricing options (below).


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2. 'yes' Cap Plans (29/9/08)


The 'yes' Cap Plans give quite a lot of included call/text value but beware of really high, unfair call rates for all of the plans. The included data is generally enough for those who email/surf the web for a few hours a day.

(Click Image to Enlarge)





















3. 'yes' Plans (29/9/08)

The 'yes' Plans are similarly structured to the 'yes' Cap Plans (above) except you get a wider range of plans for more budgets and generally more data but less included call value (although the actual call rate per 30 seconds is cheaper which may make up for less call value).

The handset repayments are almost identical to the 'yes' Cap Plans so don't worry about comparing that too much.


(Click Image to Enlarge)

Telstra iPhone 3G Australia

Telstra is offering a number of set "packaging options" for the iPhone 8GB and 16GB but also allows customers to "build their own plan" (to some extent); which although sounds different to what the other carriers are offering, isn't really that unique as most carriers offer a range of options/choices for each of their plans.

Caps (19/9/08)-

8GB iPhone 3G:

• iPhone 3G 8GB $90 Package $0 Upfront
  

Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots, $80 Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack
$80 Phone Plan for iPhone for 24 months gives you $70 to spend on eligible voice, messaging and text every month
$10 worth of eligible data from your Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack gives you a total of 170 MB of data every month
Choose the My Hour Bonus Option on your Phone Plan for iPhone & get up to 1860 minutes of bonus talk time to eligible numbers during your chosen hour

• iPhone 3G 8GB $70 Package $59 Upfront

Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots, $60 Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack
$60 Phone Plan for iPhone for 24 months gives you $50 to spend on eligible voice, messaging and text every month
$10 worth of eligible data from your Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack gives you a total of 170 MB of data every month
Choose the My Hour Bonus Option on your Phone Plan for iPhone & get up to 1860 minutes of bonus talk time to eligible numbers during your chosen hour

• iPhone 3G 8GB $40 Package $279 Upfront

Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots, $30 Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack
$30 Phone Plan for iPhone for 24 months gives you $25 to spend on eligible voice, messaging and text every month
$5 worth of eligible data from your Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack gives you a total of 160 MB of data every month
Choose the My Hour Bonus Option on your Phone Plan for iPhone & get up to 1860 minutes of bonus talk time to eligible numbers during your chosen hour

16GB iPhone 3G:

• iPhone 3G 16GB $110 Package $0 Upfront

Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots, $100 Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack
$100 Phone Plan for iPhone for 24 months gives you $90 to spend on eligible voice, messaging and text every month
$10 worth of eligible data from your Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack gives you a total of 170 MB of data every month
Choose the My Hour Bonus Option on your Phone Plan for iPhone & get up to 1860 minutes of bonus talk time to eligible numbers during your chosen hour

• iPhone 3G 16GB $90 Package $69 Upfront

Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots, $80Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack
$80 Phone Plan for iPhone for 24 months gives you $70 to spend on eligible voice, messaging and text every month
$10 worth of eligible data from your Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack gives you a total of 170 MB of data every month
Choose the My Hour Bonus Option on your Phone Plan for iPhone & get up to 1860 minutes of bonus talk time to eligible numbers during your chosen hour

• iPhone 3G 16GB $70 Package $179 Upfront

Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots, $60 Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack
$60 Phone Plan for iPhone for 24 months gives you $50 to spend on eligible voice, messaging and text every month
$10 worth of eligible data from your Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack gives you a total of 170 MB of data every month
Choose the My Hour Bonus Option on your Phone Plan for iPhone & get up to 1860 minutes of bonus talk time to eligible numbers during your chosen hour

• iPhone 3G 16GB $40 Package $399 Upfront

Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots, $30 Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack
$30 Phone Plan for iPhone for 24 months gives you $25 to spend on eligible voice, messaging and text every month
$5 worth of eligible data from your Phone Plan for iPhone & a $10 Browsing Pack gives you a total of 160 MB of data every month
Choose the My Hour Bonus Option on your Phone Plan for iPhone & get up to 1860 minutes of bonus talk time to eligible numbers during your chosen hour

Build Your Own Plan:

Choose an iPhone 3G Plan for 24 months and you can receive monthly included value that includes some voice, text, and browsing; choose a fantastic Bonus Option to maximise the value of your plan and receive free Wi-Fi access at Telstra Hot Spots. The main advantage of Telstra's "Build your own plan" compared to all the other networks options (that they just give you without making a fuss) is that you can change the ratio of upfront payment/monthly payment to suit your needs and have more control over just how much data you want included in your plan. See the iPhone 3G page on the Telstra website for more information on how you can "build your own plan".

Note:

I feel that it is worth mentioning that for business users i would probably recommend Telstra more than the other carriers. Firstly because their network is the fastest (although their customer service isn't the best) and most widely available in Australia; and secondly because Telstra offers the best business plans for the iPhone (different to the ones mentioned above-see Telstra website for more information).

Vodafone iPhone 3G Australia

Vodafone is offering the following range of caps (23/9/08):

• $69 Vodafone Cap Contract for Apple® iPhone™ 3G
  iPhone 8GB for $2.86 per month on MPP* (or $69 upfront) or iPhone 16GB for $7.92 per month on MPP* (or $190 upfront)
  $69 plan includes $310 of talk, TXT & more plus 250MB of data per month

• $99 Vodafone Cap Contract for Apple® iPhone™ 3G
  iPhone 8GB for FREE or iPhone 16GB for $5.05 per month on MPP* (or $121 upfront)
  $99 plan includes $600 of talk, TXT & more plus 500MB of data per month

• $119 Vodafone Cap Contract for Apple® iPhone™ 3G
  iPhone 8GB for FREE or iPhone 16GB for $5.05 per month on MPP* (or $121 upfront)
  $119 plan includes $800 of talk, TXT & more plus 500MB of data per month

• $169 Vodafone Cap Contract for Apple® iPhone™ 3G
  iPhone 8GB for FREE or iPhone 16GB for $3.71 per month on MPP* (or $89 upfront)
  $169 plan includes $1200 of talk, TXT & more plus 1GB of data per month

• $49 Maxi Cap Contract
  iPhone 8GB for $10.08 per month on MPP* (or $242 upfront) or iPhone 16GB for $15.13 per month on MPP* (or $363 upfront)
  $49 plan includes $310 of talk, TXT & more per month
  Plus, add Internet on your mobile for just $11.95 a month and get an additional 100MB of data to play with per month

• $79 Super Cap Contract
  iPhone 8GB for $7.04 per month on MPP* (or $169 upfront) or iPhone 16GB for $12.08 per month on MPP* (or $290 upfront)
  $79 plan includes $600 of talk, TXT & more per month
  Plus, add Internet on your mobile for just $11.95 a month and get an additional 100MB of data to play with per month

Australian iPhone Unlocking

So many people keep on asking, "how do i unlock my iPhone 3G?", "can i import an iPhone from America and use it in Australia?", "can i get an iPhone for free?" and "when will the price of Australian iPhone come down?".

The Australian iPhone 3G is a rip-off and there is no doubt about it. For a basic phone that just works well (like all other phones should) this phone should be $300 in Australia but because of Apple and Australian Telecommunication companies the price is more than double that, and as for the data prices well that is a rip-off too!

I understand why people want the iPhone cheaper and keep asking these questions to try and get it cheaper; but unfortunately they are pretty much wasting their time. Apple has spent a lot of money making sure the iPhone 3G programming cannot be completely manipulated by hackers (although hacking can still do some stuff to the iPhone 3G) and so unlocking is almost impossible.

Apple has also set up sales of the iPhone to work in their favour, by making all iPhone 3G's in America (the cheapest place in the world to get the iPhone) locked to one network, which prevents people just shipping from America to Australia, for example.

There is no way to get a "cheap" or "free" iPhone-unfortunately at the moment you have to put up with the current plan/prepaid iPhone pricing which is just way too expensive for most people.

I must also warn people not to even bother clicking on ads/sites for "free iPhone 3G's" because i guarantee it is either a scam or it makes you pay for the iPhone in some way (e.g. through buying hundreds of products and earning "points" towards an iPhone, like i saw a site for earlier today).

Sorry for all of this bad news but i feel that i must tell people the truth about the iPhone situation.

To finish on a positive note:

I expect (as of 22/9/08) that the iPhone 3G should be 20% cheaper in Australia by christmas and around half the price (if not less) by the end of next year when the new iPhone model (iPhone 4G??!) should be available.

Should you wait to buy the iPhone 3G? Yes!

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Till next Australian iPhone 3G post, Lachlan.

Australian iPhone Accessories

Those of you contemplating buying some iPhone accessories for your PERFECT Australian iPhone 3G perhaps you should stop with the thinking and start getting full use of your iPhone; starting now! Here are some of the best iPhone 3G accessories in terms of cost and benefit.

1. CASE- I think that this is definitely the best thing you can buy for your iPhone. Even if you "never drop your phone" or "don't mind if it gets scratched" i would still say that you are quite silly if you don't buy a case. It is a small price to pay for keeping your iPhone in good condition; do you want a scratched, chipped and partly broken iPhone (after it cost you so much money)? I didn't think so! You have three choices with cases for your iPhone 3G; a plastic hard case, leather case or metal case. In my opinion, plastic cases look pretty cheap and the metal cases just don't "look right" so personally i would go for a leather case, but it is up to you!

2. SCREEN PROTECTOR- OK, so now you probably think i am going too far with protecting your iPhone from damage; but as i said with the case, do you really want a damaged iPhone? Screen protectors do as their name suggests and are easily applied over the screen. When applied properly (without any air bubbles) they will work well for at least six months.

3. CRADLE/DOCK- There is a lot of variation between the features (and price) of different cradles and docks so it is really up to what you want. Some docks just charge your iPhone while others also play music from your iPhone through speakers. Expect to pay 50-800 dollars for a cradle or dock.

4. iPhone travel pack- These packs vary in what they have but most offer a car charger, car holder kit, extra cords and other stuff useful for travel with your iPhone.

5. FM Transmitter- An FM transmitter is sometimes included in an upmarket iPhone travel pack but is usually just bought outright. It allows you to transmit music from your iPhone to your car stereo.

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Other accessories include bluetooth headsets, extra batteries, extra cables and armbands.

iPhone accessories may be expensive but isn't it worth getting the most (spending a little bit extra) out of what has already cost you quite a lot of money? I certainly think so!

Cheers, Lachlan.

How Apple could have made the perfect phone

The iPhone 3G is the best phone ever; right? In terms of having excellent Wi-Fi, GPS, Safari browsing, emailing and iPod the iPhone is first class but these outright features haven't kept everyone happy. The iPhone 3G is really well made but it could have been made a lot better than it is. Keep reading this post to hear my problems with the iPhone that when fixed would lead to what i would call the perfect phone.

1. Lacks certain features:

One of my greatest problems with the iPhone is not what it has but simply what it lacks. The iPhone doesn't have MMS, a copy and paste function, GPS, a camera that takes video (or great pictures) and quite a few other things that we have grown to expect standard in every mobile phone.


2. Camera hardware and software needs work:

The camera on the iPhone is below average 2MP phone standard. Although i agree Apple can't make every feature on the iPhone exceptional i believe to make the perfect phone all aspects of the phone need to be above average. If the iPhone had a slighly better camera and actually came with decent software it would lift the overall standard of the iPhone a lot. The iPhone has no flash, auto-focus, digital zoom, photo correction application or adjustment options in size.


3. Battery life needs to be improved:

Apple went to a lot of trouble with the iPhone 3G to improve battery life (3G uses a lot more than 2G) but the iPhone still doesn't have very good battery life if you use it as the "everything" device it is marketed to be used as. Most users say that it needs to be charged daily if you make a dozen calls, send a few texts, listen to a few hours of music and access the 3G network for email and Safari use. Although a lot of people are happy to charge the iPhone every day one wonders if like the iPod battery after a few months use it would last hardly as long as at the start.

4. Finger prints are a real pain:

Fingerprints on the iPhone are a real problem; most people will find it really hard not to get fingerprints on it and it needs cleaning often not to become a uPhone (Ugly Phone?).

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Apple is new to the mobile phone business and the iPhone 3G is a good phone but with a little extra effort and perhaps some customer feedback the next iPhone model could be the best mobile phone ever made-as the iPhone 3G was hyped up to be.

Although the iPhone 3G does lack certain things and needs some improvement, i do not want to give the impression that the hardware or software has any sort of widespread faults on the iPhone 3G.

For those wanting the latest Australian iPhone information; including the latest pricing and sale figures... stay tuned for my next post!

Cheers, Lachlan.

Should you wait to buy the iPhone 3G?

Sales of the iPhone 3G in Australia and in a lot of other countries are picking up again after a slowdown due to worldwide stock problems and i can only imagine how many people out there are debating whether or not to buy the iPhone now or wait a few months.

5 Reasons to buy the iPhone 3G now:

1. It's probably the best mobile phone ever made.
2. You get to use it NOW.
3. You don't have to WAIT.
4. Stock could run out later on.
5. It could be the best iPhone ever made. Some people prefer the original iPod's to the newer ones.

5 reasons to wait and buy the 3G iPhone later:

1. You have longer to think about whether you actually want it.
2. Prices will drop both on the actual iPhone cost and service costs for using it as time goes on.
3. It may become available on more networks.
4. Apple may bring out a new iPhone (32GB model perhaps) or fix some problems with the current one.
5. Although hard to believe, a better phone could be made by another company.

I hope these reasons have helped you with making a decision on whether or not to buy the iPhone 3G now or later.

Cheers, Lachlan.

Latest iPhone information: Australian iPhone 3G available from Virgin

Australian iPhone sales are booming and customers are very happy with the actual phone but still perhaps disappointed with the phone bills? Those who have received massive bills on their first months statement should consider upgrading their data pack as this is almost definitely what is giving you the extra expense.

Unfortunately for those who have already bought the iPhone and signed a plan contract all of the first three companies (Optus, Telstra and Vodafone) that have had the iPhone from the start have now dropped some of their plan prices by around 10% (as i predicted they would on my earlier posts).

However for those who haven't yet got the iPhone unless you want to wait till Christmas (expect a further drop of pricing by around 30%) now is the BEST TIME TO BUY THE AUSTRALIAN IPHONE 3G!!

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In other iPhone 3G in Australia news...

Virgin has now joined the initial three companies selling the amazing phone and is offering the Australian iPhone 3G on plans that are actually very competitive in terms of pricing and plan flexibility. Virgin is targeting it's sales at the young (the 15-25 age group) by offering decent data plans unlike Telstra and Vodafone.

Here are the main plans for both the 8GB/16GB iPhone 3G models as taken from the Australian iPhone 3G Virgin website page on 10/8/08.

8GB iPhone plan involves: $70 package per month over 24 months which includes:

-8GB iPhone

-$520 monthly included credit

-1GB Data each month

16GB iPhone plan involves: $74 package per month over 24 months which includes:

-16GB iPhone

-$520 monthly included credit

-1GB Data each month

Virgins plans are similar to Optus' in terms of offering a 'fairer' amount of data. If you would like to compare the Virgin plans with the other three check out my post on Australian iPhone pricing (some plans may have changed slightly-see company websites for updated information).

The only downside with Virgin at the moment is a delay on iPhone stock. According to their website:

"The iPhone is so hot, it'll take a little longer to get to you. Order now & we'll email you as soon as yours is on its way. 8GB black/16GB white are arriving weekly, 16GB black is due late August."

But for existing Virgin customers looking for an upgrade or for those who like the look of their caps the addition of Virgin to the list of companies selling the iPhone 3G in Australia can only be a good thing!

Happy iPhone-ing!

Cheers, Lachlan.

Australian iPhone 3G FAQ

It has become clear that Australians and other people from around the world who are interested in the iPhone are unsure about and have a lot of questions about the new Australian iPhone 3G. Due to the amount of questions being asked on forums and social sites i have decided to do a post on FAQ concerning the iPhone in Australia.

How long has the iPhone 3G been around for in Australia?

The iPhone 3G was initially released in Australia on July 11 2008 at various times in the morning (6am in some places). The iPhone 3G is the first version of the iPhone to be 'officially' sold in Australia.


How can you buy the iPhone 3G in Australia?

The iPhone 3G is available on plans from Optus, Telstra and Vodafone and can be bought outright (still locked to the network) from Optus and Vodafone (with Vodafone only at a few stores) on their prepaid services. I recently posted on the full iPhone 3G pricing details which compares all the ways of buying the iPhone 3G in Australia.

Can you buy the iPhone 3G outright fully-unlocked and what does fully unlocked mean?

A fully unlocked iPhone is an iPhone that will work on any network not just the network you bought it from (because there is no locking, restricting the phones use).

You cannot buy the iPhone 3G outright and fully unlocked from any telco (or even Apple) in Australia at the moment. However because you can buy the iPhone 3G outright from optus (with locking to their network) there is a way to get the iPhone unlocked.

The ONLY WAY to get a FULLY UNLOCKED IPHONE at the moment is to buy the iPhone from Optus on prepaid (see iPhone 3G pricing details post for prepaid pricing) and pay $80 to Optus to allow the network locking to be turned off and give you the choice of using your IPHONE 3G ON ANY NETWORK IN AUSTRALIA!

How much does the iPhone cost?

The iPhone in Australia is available on a wide range of plans which allow flexibility between contract length, upfront payment and call/data allowance (data is very important with iPhone) while also being available from Optus and Vodafone (Optus is a lot cheaper) on prepaid. See my iPhone 3G pricing details post for pricing details on every plan/prepaid offer run by any of the three networks currently offering the iPhone in Australia.

What is the cheapest way to get the Australian iPhone 3G?

The cheapest plan when you initially buy the iPhone at the moment is the Optus $79 cap plan ($0 upfront for the 8GB model on a 24 month contract). Although most people would agree that this is still quite expensive for a phone!


Is the iPhone 3G in Australia likely to become cheaper?

The iPhone in Australia is likely to hover at around the same current price for at least the next few months but as with most technology it would be expected that the price would have dropped by at least 30% by Christmas this year.


How does the iPhone 3G access the Internet?

The iPhone 3G can access the Internet by using inbuilt wi-fi which enables it to access the Internet from a home network or through the use of public wi-fi areas (e.g. in cafes/airports) via a wireless router. This type of access (wi-fi access) is FREE unless you have to pay to use a public router connection.

However unless your iPhone is always within range of a router you will NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET. In the past your only option would have been to drop back onto slow dial up speeds from your iPhone because it didn't support 3G but the latest iPhone 3G allows you to access the 3G network which gives you access to the Internet at fast broadband speeds in most capital cities. This type of connection (a 3G connection) DOES COST MONEY though and is why most people who take up an iPhone will be shocked to see a massive first bill because of excess data use.

How much data do you need when using the iPhone?

Most of the iPhone pricing packages include extra data compared to plans with other phones but how much do you really need? To avoid getting a MASSIVE bill here is a rough outline of how far your data will go:

10MB-iPhone will use this much without you clicking a button to do with the Internet-more!!!
50MB-Very occasional emailing/web browsing as well as perhaps 1 music download.
100MB-Visit around 50 sites, send around 100 emails and even download a couple of songs and wallpaper.
200MB-Allow you to frequently use the Internet for browsing, a good amount of emailing and even download a few songs and wallpaper.
500MB-Allow you to use the iPhone frequently for a range of things for quite a bit of time as long as you don't watch/download too many videos or use it every second of the day.
1GB and over-Anything over 1GB would allow you to pretty much have unlimited access to do as much as you could on the iPhone 3G for a couple of hours a day.

How much memory does the iPhone 3G have?

The iPhone 3G comes in two models at the moment in Australia; 8GB and 16GB. In the near future it appears likely that a 32GB iPhone 3G will become available.

What is the difference between the original iPhone and the latest iPhone 3G?

The new iPhone 3G has several software updates making it easier to use; in terms of hardware a faster processor, longer lasting battery and obviously (hence the name) the ability to have access to the 3G network.

What is the difference between the iPhone 3G and the iPod Touch?

The iPhone has a cell phone, Camera, iPod, touch screen and wi-fi access while the iPod Touch is just an iPod with a touch screen and wi-fi.

How good is the iPhone 3G/What separates it from other phones?

Apart from the Apple branding it is generally a well built phone; (although it is lacking a few features) with great screen navigation (and GPS navigation), easy emailing, standard iPod, 2MP camera, fantastic Internet access and great ease of use.

Why is the iPhone 3G so much cheaper in America compared to other countries?

Apple is selling the iPhone to telecommunications companies for much more in countries outside the US and telcos are also marking the price up over here to simply make more money! Although the price should come down soon.

Is the Apple iPhone 3G good for business users?

Yes, it is very easy to use and features amazingly simple at:

-Emailing (including setup)
-Calander integration
-Networking



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If you have any other questions that you want answered i would be happy to add to this Australian iPhone 3G FAQ list. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST A COMMENT WITH YOUR REQUEST.

For further iPhone information for Australians or for those in other countries who are interested feel free to check out the other Australian iPhone related pages in this blog.

Happy iPhone-ing!

Cheers, Lachlan.

Latest iPhone information

In the past few days after the initial release of the iPhone 3G a number of things have happened:

1. Apple has announced that already in the first three days of sales, over a million iPhones have been sold in the original 21 countries the iPhone 3G was introduced to on Friday (July 11). Apple has also said that around 80,000 of the million 3G iPhones were sold in Australia and that the figure would have been much higher if it wasn't for stock limitations. More shipments of stock are rumoured to be arriving soon but some sources say that it could take as long as 3 weeks for new 3G iPhones to reach Australia.

2. It has become clear that Optus is leading the iPhone sales and has a firm grip on the market. Telstra is believed to be coming second in sales with Vodafone surprisingly struggling to get iPhone customers even though their plans are generally fairer than most of Telstra's outrageously priced plans. The pricing details are primarily what customers are basing their decision of which telecommunications company to choose on, with Optus believed to be winning the market over with decent plans with better pricing packages than it's competitors.

3. Vodafone has announced that it will sell the iPhone on their prepaid service through Dick Smith Electronics. Although stock was momentarily available it is believed to have all gone. The Dick Smith Electronics website states that "Due to overwhelming popularity, our stock for the new Vodafone iPhone is already exhausted. Come in and order today and we will place you in a priority queue." The iPhone will sell for $799 (8GB) and $915 (16GB) on Vodafone prepaid which is slightly more than what you can buy the phone for on Optus prepaid (see pricing details).

4. It is likely that other telecommunications will soon begin to sell the iPhone (like Three rumoured to be starting selling it sometime in August) on plans/prepaid and that the price of the iPhone due to that possible increased competition could come down considerably within weeks.

5. The Australian people have mainly had positive comments on the new iPhone most saying that it is fantastic and well worth the money however some are still annoyed that the iPhone has no video recording (including for video calls), sending MMS (multimedia messages) or the convenience of being able to copy and paste.


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Stay tuned for more iPhone updates, news, info and pricing details.

Cheers, Lachlan.

Australian iPhone 3G Pricing Details

UPDATE:

The iPhone Pricing Details have changed. See the latest post on the new Pricing Options for the Australian iPhone 3G for current information.

The iPhone 3G in Australia was released on 11th July and at the time of writing these are the pricing details for every way to get the iPhone.

Plans:

• Optus: As taken from website 12/7/08
  
  
  Optus is offering a range of 'yes' plans and 'yes' cap plans.

-'Yes' Plans (click to enlarge)

-'Yes' Cap Plans (click to enlarge)

• Vodafone: As taken from website 12/7/08

Vodafone is offering a range of cap plans...

$69 Cap
iPhone 8GB for $7.88 per month on MPP* (or $189 upfront) or iPhone 16GB for $12.88 per month on MPP* (or $309 upfront)
$69 plan includes $310 of talk, TXT & more plus 250MB of data per month

$99 Cap
iPhone 8GB for $4.13 per month on MPP* (or $99 upfront) or iPhone 16GB for $9.13 per month on MPP* (or $219 upfront)
$99 plan includes $600 of talk, TXT & more plus 500MB of data per month

$119 Cap
iPhone 8GB for $2.46 per month on MPP* (or $59 upfront) or iPhone 16GB for $7.46 per month on MPP* (or $179 upfront)
$119 plan includes $800 of talk, TXT & more plus 500MB of data per month

$169 Cap
iPhone 8GB for FREE or iPhone 16GB for $3.71 per month on MPP* (or $89 upfront)
$169 plan includes $1200 of talk, TXT & more plus 1GB of data per month

$49 Maxi Cap Contract
iPhone 8GB for $10.08 per month on MPP* (or $242 upfront) or iPhone 16GB for $15.13 per month on MPP* (or $363 upfront)
$49 plan includes $310 of talk, TXT & more per month
Plus, add Internet on your mobile for just $11.95 a month and get an additional 100MB of data to play with per month

$79 Super Cap Contract
iPhone 8GB for $7.04 per month on MPP* (or $169 upfront) or iPhone 16GB for $12.08 per month on MPP* (or $290 upfront)
$79 plan includes $600 of talk, TXT & more per month
Plus, add Internet on your mobile for just $11.95 a month and get an additional 100MB of data to play with per month

• Telstra: As taken from website 12/7/08:

Telstra is offering a range of cap plans which allow you to choose whether you want to pay upfront and have a smaller cap or pay less upfront for a bigger cap. They also allow you to build your own plan.

-iPhone 3G 8GB

$0 upfront on a $109 Package
Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots5, $80 iPhone 3G Phone Plan & a $29 Browsing Pack

$59 upfront on a $89 Package
Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots5, $60 iPhone 3G Phone Plan & a $29 Browsing Pack

$279 upfront on a $59 Package
Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots5, $30 iPhone 3G Phone Plan & a $29 Browsing Pack

-iPhone 3G 16GB

$0 upfront on a $129 Package
Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots5, $100 iPhone 3G Phone Plan & a $29 Browsing Pack

$69 upfront on a $109 Package
Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots5 $80 iPhone 3G Phone Plan & a $29 Browsing Pack

$179 upfront on a $89 Package
Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots5 $60 iPhone 3G Phone Plan & a $29 Browsing Pack

$399 upfront on a $59 Package
Package includes FREE Wi-Fi at Telstra Hot Spots5 $30 iPhone 3G Phone Plan & a $29 Browsing Pack

Prepaid:

• Optus: As taken from website 12/7/08

-iPhone 3G 8GB

$729

-iPhone 3G 16GB

$849

Summary:

Most iPhone fans (including myself) would agree that it was very disappointing to see how much the iPhones were going to retail for in Australia. In the USA they are retailing for almost half the price! For most people the iPhone is out of reach unless they decide to take on a 24 month contract with a big total monthly package price. The prepaid price is astronomically high and one can only wonder why? Those stupid telecommunications want us locked into a much cheaper plan so in 6 months time when the 4G (??!) iPhone comes out they make even more money when we leave the contract!

Just to let everyone know; at the moment:

-The cheapest plan when you initially buy at the moment is: Optus $79 cap plan ($0 upfront for 8GB model on 24 month contract). Quite expensive, eh?

There is good news though; by Christmas the price should have dropped dramatically so all those Apple fans with little money can finally get their hands on an amazing piece of technology.

The iPhone pricing details for the iPhone are very unfair but if you want the latest gizmo i suppose that's the price you pay-literally.

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For more iPhone information check out the other pages of this blog.


Cheers, Lachlan.