Subscribe

Anything for a new Apple?

Johannesburg, 18 Sept 2014
Apple's eighth generation iPhone has elicited unprecedented interest, logging double the number of pre-orders compared to the iPhone 5 two years ago.
Apple's eighth generation iPhone has elicited unprecedented interest, logging double the number of pre-orders compared to the iPhone 5 two years ago.

While early adopters may be willing to forego their Apple warrantee and pay top dollar - up to R18 000 - for Apple's new smartphone, its local distributor has cautioned fans to wait for products to officially become available in SA.

Apple's new, bigger iPhone 6 has seen unprecedented demand abroad, with international analysts saying the company is about to see a "super cycle" amid an abundance of older iPhone models and consumers' insatiable appetites for its new devices.

Apple unveiled its new flagship devices- the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus - last Tuesday, saying they would be available in selected markets from 19 September.

Locally, a number of e-commerce players have opened pre-order portals, some with the promise of availability as early as next week and prices ranging between R11 500 and R18 000.

Price you'll pay

However, Rutger-Jan van Spaandonk, executive director at Apple's official South African distributor, the Core Group, warns that people who buy the new devices off Web sites are not buying products that have been brought into SA officially, and run the risk of acquiring a device that does not have an Apple warranty.

Van Spaandonk says there could also be limited functionality locally, noting devices from the Middle East disable Apple's WiFi video calling app FaceTime, to the point that it would be extremely difficult to enable the function again.

As far as pricing goes, Van Spaandonk says early adopters will pay a "massive premium" for the privilege of jumping the queue. While he cannot comment on pricing, the iPhone 6 will sell in the US at about the same price as the 5S - a situation that he expects should be replicated in SA.

In addition, Van Spaandonk notes, end-users will typically not have support when there are issues, and will lose out on the up to R5 000 cash back when they trade in their old phones. He adds they will also not benefit from the iCare warranty, which - for a R299 once-off cost and R500 excess - will replace a dropped phone. ""Some people think it's an official product, but it's not. Rather wait so you know you have a genuine phone."

BMI-TechKnowledge analyst Clinton Jacobs says he does not understand the drive to obtain the new phones given the price and risk, noting he would opt to be a "fast follower" rather than an early adopter. Jacobs says another question to ask would be "can you insure the phones locally if they can't get a warrantee?" ? especially given the price tag.

Early advantage

On the other side of the coin, e-commerce players say there are advantages to buying the new Apples online - including having first option to goods that are expected to be in huge demand and under allocation shortly after launch. Plus, say the local vendors, their offerings comply with the necessary local laws.

Liz Hillock, Kalahari marketing director, says Kalahari sources the iPhones it offers from a vendor that sources them directly from Apple in the US, making them a special import, which is clearly marked on the outer packaging. The site offers a full one-year after sales warranty, covered by Kalahari's vendor which has a written agreement with Apple US, covering all faulty products.

Barry le Roux, director of TikTok Distribution, notes the company, which complies with grey labelling provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, has received more than 450 pre orders for the new device. He notes the company offers the same warranty as Apple: a 12-month repair or replace warranty, as well as a seven-day out of box failure warranty.

Online Bargains, which offers the device from R16 499, says the parallel imports comply with the law and it honours any warranty issues itself, and has its own repair company. "The buyers that are purchasing the iPhone 6 from us want the phone first. This will naturally attract a higher price at this point but in future, when the device is released in South Africa, we will offer competitive pricing."

Share